It said FREE. You entered your card. Thirty days later, you're paying $49.99 every month. The safest move is to understand the conversion terms before the trial starts — and preserve the evidence if something goes wrong.
"Free" Does Not Always Mean No Future Charge
A free trial can be a legitimate offer, but the word "free" does not by itself tell you what happens after the trial. Many subscription offers require a payment card and automatically convert to a paid plan unless you cancel before a stated deadline.
The FTC advises consumers to check the terms before signing up, understand when the trial ends, and know how to cancel. It also warns that negative-option offers can result in recurring charges when the consumer does not take the required action to stop them.
The Five Things to Check Before Entering Your Card
- Trial length: exactly how many days or months are free?
- Post-trial price: what will you actually be charged after the trial?
- Billing frequency: monthly, annual, or another interval?
- Renewal: does the plan continue automatically after the trial?
- Cancellation: how, where, and by what deadline must you cancel?
Also look for shipping charges, introductory pricing that later changes, pre-checked boxes, and terms that are materially different from the headline offer.
Negative Option Is the Mechanism Behind Many Trial-to-Paid Offers
In a negative-option arrangement, the consumer's failure to cancel or reject the offer can be treated as acceptance of continuing charges. The FTC describes free-to-pay conversions as one form of negative option.
That does not mean every free trial is unlawful. The key consumer question is whether the material terms were presented clearly and whether you knowingly agreed to the recurring billing arrangement.
Set a Cancellation Reminder Before the Trial Starts
If you do not intend to continue, put the cancellation deadline in your calendar as soon as you start the trial. Save the original offer, the terms, and the confirmation that the cancellation was completed.
- Screenshot the offer and price.
- Save the terms and renewal language.
- Record the trial end date.
- Keep the cancellation confirmation.
- Check the next statement for an unexpected recurring charge.
What to Do If the "Free" Trial Becomes a Charge You Did Not Expect
First, review the terms you accepted and the cancellation record. If you believe you were charged without the required consent or after a valid cancellation, contact the merchant and request a refund in writing.
If the merchant will not resolve a charge you believe is improper, the FTC advises consumers to dispute qualifying charges with their credit or debit card company promptly. Keep the evidence supporting the dispute.
What This Means for You
- Never enter a card number into a free trial without checking the conversion terms.
- Record the exact trial end date.
- Know the post-trial price and billing frequency before subscribing.
- Save the cancellation method and confirmation.
- Monitor the first statement after the trial.
- If a charge is improper, document it and act promptly.
Related Kibbo Tools
- Free Trial Safety Checklist →
- Subscription & Service Cancellation Generator →
- Subscription Before You Buy Checklist →
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission — Getting In and Out of Free Trials, Auto-Renewals, and Negative Option Subscriptions. consumer.ftc.gov
- Federal Trade Commission — Complying with the Telemarketing Sales Rule, Negative Option Features. ftc.gov