Blog post: Online security
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Blog post: Online security
Looking for a bargain on the Internet? Have you ever come across an irresistible offer on one of many online sites? An invitation to try a product almost for free, since you only have to pay the shipping costs?
Many sites offer free trials of their products, but are you aware of what’s hidden behind these offers?
Have you wondered how these merchants manage to make a profit? And how their business continues to thrive? It’s exactly this free trial concept that we’ll cover in this article.
Let’s take a closer look at this growing phenomenon on the web.
Let’s use this example image of a free trial invitation.
According to the product’s website, you’re entitled to a 1-month supply of 60 capsules for €0.00.
The only charge required is for postage (€5.94). As a bonus, you’ll receive a guide for €0.44.
So in total, you’ll pay just €6.38 for a month’s worth of a weight-loss product and a guide containing 8 monthly issues of natural remedies.
That’s the principle of a free trial.
Attractive, isn’t it?
To make the offer even more irresistible, these websites are full of banners urging you to click quickly and place your order without thinking.
Their goal: to prevent you from thinking too much.
You’ll see messages like: “Only 10 offers left today” (often with a countdown timer); “Hurry! Claim your no-obligation free trial now,” and so on.
But let’s be realistic and ask ourselves some important questions: what does the seller gain from this offer?
What happens when thousands of people place orders at the same time? How can the seller afford this without going bankrupt? And how does this model generate profit?
The answer is simple.
The scammer behind this offer is trying to obtain your credit card details to apply automatic charges.
In short, it’s a cleverly disguised trap.
When you sign up for a free trial, you risk paying far more than expected.
Hidden clauses often include subscription enrollment or periodic product shipments.
Some websites conceal these clauses in tiny print, hidden in the general terms and conditions (GTC), assuming they even display them.
Even worse, many GTC pages are deliberately written in tiny, hard-to-read fonts to deter you from reading them.
Yet once you accept the free trial, you are legally bound by these clauses.
The main risk? Automatic recurring charges to your account.
And these charges will continue whether you use the product or not.
Before ordering a free trial, the first thing to do is read the general terms and conditions (GTC) carefully.
If the website doesn’t display its GTC, that’s a clear reason to avoid it.
Social media ads are particularly risky – always research the advertised product before clicking.
If a GTC page exists (usually linked in the footer), read it carefully and check for any mention of subscriptions or automatic charges.
Also review the returns policy and conditions.
When you place your order, you will be enrolled in our auto-renewal program.
This program allows you to try the product and, on day 18, you will be charged €69.95.
Subsequently, you will receive and be billed €69.95 (+ shipping) every 30 days until you cancel your subscription.
You may cancel at any time by contacting customer service.
By clicking to place your order, you confirm that you have read and understood the offer’s conditions and agree to pay all applicable charges for the products shipped to you unless you cancel the subscription via customer service.
This is what you’ll miss if you skip reading the GTC.
From a legal standpoint, by accepting the free trial, you agreed to these terms.
Therefore, you are obligated to pay for any products shipped.
And contacting customer service to cancel sounds easy – but in practice, it’s often impossible.
Many scammers use unreachable hotlines, overseas call centers with language barriers, or endless waiting loops.
If you’ve fallen into the free trial trap, your best solution is to contact your bank to cancel your credit card.
If the company’s customer service refuses to help, this is often the only reliable option.
Many people ask: “Is there a risk of legal action?”
In most cases, no. Most sites using these tactics do not comply with legal regulations and lack proper business identification (like a SIRET number, registered address, etc.).
Therefore, they’re unlikely to pursue legal action.
However, legal frameworks do exist to protect consumers:
– Legifrance. Consumer Code. Misleading commercial practices. Article L121-1-1. (https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000019293654/2022-10-31).
– Legifrance. Consumer Code. Interpretation and form of contracts. Article L133-2. (https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000006292187/2022-10-31).
In our opinion, it’s safest to avoid free trials altogether.
If a company uses deceptive tactics for payment, how can you trust its product ingredients or claims of effectiveness?
Would you risk your health with such a manufacturer?
If you still want to order, we recommend using virtual or prepaid cards for extra protection.
This way, even if the merchant attempts to charge your card later, your main account remains secure.
Beyond the risk of financial loss—which can amount to significant sums—the concept of the free trial itself is a danger.
If a seller deceives you about payment, there’s no guarantee their product isn’t ineffective, or worse, harmful to your health.
Your best defense is vigilance: avoid free trial offers and prioritize transparency and trustworthiness when making purchases online.
Scam Or Reliable: The free and independent reference dedicated to anti-fraud information, the analysis of deceptive practices and the protection of consumers against online risks. Our team publishes articles, alerts and educational content to help internet users spot signs of scams, understand fraud mechanisms and adopt the right reflexes when faced with digital scams.
Its goal: to contribute to the prevention of scams, phishing, fake websites, impersonation and online commercial manipulation by providing clear, rigorous and useful content based on the analysis of verifiable signals, testimonies and reliable sources.
Warnings: The information presented on this blog is provided for informational and preventive purposes only. It does not constitute official recommendations or personalised legal, financial or technical advice. It must be verified with the relevant organisations, services or contacts depending on the situation. We are not responsible for errors, omissions or inappropriate use of the information provided on this site. If you notice any inaccuracy, please let us know.