I admit it. I'm sometimes quite gullible. I purchased a product called Capsacare from a company called Bare Willow but didn't read the fine print. When I got the the product.. it was essentially useless. Oh well. But imagine my surprise when I got an email that the SECOND shipment was on its way and that the price had gone up by $14!

Deceptive subscription offers, often termed “scamscriptions,” have evolved into one of the most widespread online frauds facing consumers today, affecting approximately 1 in 10 Americans. This is not a marginal problem; it is a staggering financial drain that costs U.S. consumers an average of $1,200 annually in unwanted or forgotten subscriptions alone.

The prevalence of subscription traps is confirmed by organizations like Pew Research, which noted that these schemes are among the most frequent types of online scams reported by U.S. adults. We are seeing a billion-dollar industry built not on quality service, but on consumer confusion.

These scams succeed because they exploit both human psychology and technological design. Companies lure consumers in using the psychology of “free trials,” banking on the hope that consumers will be enticed by low-cost or free offers and then simply forget to cancel. This initial deception is often followed by deliberate hurdles known as “dark patterns,” where companies design websites to make cancellation frustratingly confusing or entirely hidden. Furthermore, the entire recurring billing ecosystem currently makes auto-renewals far easier for merchants than it is for consumers to stop unwanted payments.

While recent years have seen increased scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—which has targeted even large companies like Care.com for implementing nearly impossible cancellation processes—the problem persists.

The issue is especially rampant in weakly regulated sectors, such as the dietary supplement market, where Americans spend over $50 billion annually. Companies operating within this space, sometimes selling products with dubious efficacy claims, frequently deploy “free trial” schemes that auto-convert into costly, recurring subscriptions. Consumers must be aware of typical red flags, such as “risk-free” trials that nonetheless demand credit card information, the use of fake testimonials, and hidden cancellation hurdles like requiring phone-only contact.

Because this industry thrives on obfuscation, individual vigilance is our most immediate defense. Consumers must be proactive in managing their digital wallets.

If you sign up for a trial, the simplest and most effective defense is to cancel immediately after enrolling to proactively avoid the auto-renewal trap. We must utilize bank alerts or tracking apps to monitor recurring charges, and we should recognize that legitimate companies will always offer clear and easy cancellation policies. If cancellation attempts fail, consumers must dispute the charges with their bank or credit card provider to block future payments.

Finally, the fight against scamscriptions requires a partnership between the public and regulators. Consumers must take the crucial step of reporting deceptive practices to the FTC or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to help authorities track and stop the repeat offenders that fuel this costly trend. Until companies are forced to prioritize transparency over deception, the American consumer’s wallet will remain an open target.