Online 'Free' Trials Bury the Fine Print

Opt In Defaults Can Cost Unsuspecting Yes Men

You've probably seen it before - a company pitches a trial offer at an irresistibly low price. They tell you you can cancel at any time, if you don't love it, but if you do nothing, you will continue to receive their products and services regularly, for a small fee of course.

These marketing gurus are counting on human nature, ie that most people will take the path of least resistance. They are relying on you to procrastinate, forget, get busy and by all means, do nothing.

What you may not realize is that somewhere in all that light gray fine print, you've just agreed to pay a reoccurring monthly fee of anywhere between $29.99 and $75. And for what exactly? You don't even remember. It was weeks ago when you ordered that little sample of anti-aging miracle face cream.

You don't even know where the packaging is, much less the web address to go back and cancel your free trial - provided you even realized that you signed up for a membership. You probably thought you were actually purchasing a sample with no strings attached, but buyer beware.

If it sounds to good to be true, read the fine print. Many emails will be from false companies with fake website homepages, will "phish" for your password or credit card information, will make false or fraudulent internet claims from matchmaking to free deliveries of products that never arise.

Be very careful not to give your address or payment or photo information to any organization with which you don't have a history. Set your spam filters to high and have it go straight to trash, where it belongs and can leave your conscience clear.