Is a free trial that charged me after seven days a scam?
Some charges are legitimate subscription terms that were disclosed in small print. Others are subscription traps with deliberately hidden terms. Learn how to tell the difference and how to cancel.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Subscription traps require you to enter card details for a 'free' trial, then automatically charge a monthly or annual fee when the trial expires. Some are fully disclosed in small print you may have missed; others hide the billing terms deliberately or make cancellation deliberately difficult. The key question is whether the billing terms were clearly disclosed before you entered your card. If they were, you may need to follow the cancellation process. If they were hidden or materially misrepresented, you have grounds to dispute the charge with your bank as an unauthorised transaction. You can also contact your national consumer protection body about unfair subscription practices.
Common red flags
- Billing terms appeared only in fine print or were pre-ticked during signup
- No reminder email was sent before the trial converted to a paid subscription
- Cancellation process is difficult to find or requires calling a premium number
- Company name on your bank statement is unrecognisable
What to do now
- Cancel through the company's website or app immediately to stop future charges
- Contact your bank to dispute the charge if terms were hidden or deceptive
- Report aggressive subscription practices to your national consumer authority
- Check for other recurring charges you do not recognise on the same statement
Frequently asked questions
Can my bank stop a recurring charge?
Yes — you can instruct your bank to block further payments from a specific merchant. For debit cards this is a 'continuous payment authority' cancellation; for credit cards you can dispute and request a block.