The Free Trial Trap — And How to Avoid It

Free trials are the most effective subscription acquisition tool. Companies know that once a credit card is on file, most people won't cancel.

How the Trap Works 1. You sign up for a free trial with your card details 2. The trial ends quietly — no prominent reminder 3. You're charged the first month 4. You intend to cancel but forget 5. Months later you notice the charge

How to Protect Yourself - Use SubTracker to log every free trial with its end date - Set a reminder 3 days before the trial ends - Use a virtual card number for trials (some banks offer this) - Cancel immediately after signing up if you only want the trial period