What are the warning signs of a subscription trap?

Watch for: 'Free' offer that asks for your full card details; Tiny print about auto-renewal; Celebrity endorsement that turns out to be fake; No phone number or address for the company.

How can I tell if this is a scam?

Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.

What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?

Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Read the terms before entering card details. Use a virtual card or low-limit card for trials. If billed, dispute the charge with your bank and cancel the card.

What should I do if I already sent money?

Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.

Where should Australians report this scam?

Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.

All scams

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Subscription trap

'Free trial' offers that quietly bill your card every month.

Student

How it works

An ad offers a free sample of a skincare product, supplement or app for the cost of shipping. The fine print signs you up to a $90/month subscription that's almost impossible to cancel.

Common scenarios to watch for

This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.

Reporting locationHotlines on the printed checklist will match this location.

'Shark Tank' supplement trial

Pays $4.95 shipping for a 'free sample' that auto-enrolls you into a $89/month subscription buried in the fine print.

"Try Dr Smith's Keto Gummies — just pay $4.95 shipping! As seen on Shark Tank. Limited stock today only."

Red flags to spot

Is the offer 'free' but requires your full credit card details?
Are you being rushed with a countdown timer or 'limited stock' warning?
Is there tiny print about auto-renewal that's hard to find?
Does the ad use a fake celebrity endorsement?

Fake skincare celebrity trial

Uses unauthorized photos of Aussie celebrities. Cancelling requires international phone calls during US business hours.

"Carrie Bickmore's secret to flawless skin — claim your free jar (just pay $5.95 postage)."

Red flags to spot

Does the ad use a celebrity photo without official endorsement?
Is the cancellation process deliberately difficult (international call, hidden menu)?
Are you being charged a recurring fee that wasn't clearly explained?
Was the company domain registered recently?

App-store hidden weekly billing

A 'free' utility app charges $9.99/week after a 3-day trial. The cancel button is buried 5 menus deep.

"Photo Cleaner — Free trial! Find duplicates, clean storage. (Auto-renews at $9.99/week.)"

Red flags to spot

Is the free trial very short (3 days or less)?
Is the post-trial price high for what the app does?
Are the subscription terms in tiny print or hard to find?
Is the cancel button buried deep in settings or hard to access?

Red flags

🚩'Free' offer that asks for your full card details
🚩Tiny print about auto-renewal
🚩Celebrity endorsement that turns out to be fake
🚩No phone number or address for the company

What to do

1Read the terms before entering card details.
2Use a virtual card or low-limit card for trials.
3If billed, dispute the charge with your bank and cancel the card.

Who's targeted

Online shoppers tempted by 'free trial' or 'just pay shipping' ads.
Students and people on tight budgets attracted by samples.

Why it works

The trial fee is tiny and the renewal is buried in fine print.
Cancellation requires phone calls or forms with hostile UX.

Common variations

Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.

1Skincare / keto / CBD 'free sample' trials.
2App-store auto-renewal after a 3-day trial.
3'As seen on Shark Tank' celebrity-endorsement ads (fake).

If you've already been scammed

1Cancel the card the merchant has on file with your bank.
2Dispute renewal charges as 'unauthorised' or 'misleading'.
3Report misleading ads to the ACCC and the ad platform.

Frequently asked

Can my bank stop a subscription?▾

Yes — ask to block the merchant or issue a new card number.

Is cancelling the card enough?▾

Usually yes for new charges. You may still need to dispute past ones.

Why is cancellation so hard?▾

It's intentional. Persist and escalate to your bank's chargeback team.

Questions people ask about this scam

How does the subscription trap work?: An ad offers a free sample of a skincare product, supplement or app for the cost of shipping. The fine print signs you up to a $90/month subscription that's almost impossible to cancel.
What are the warning signs of a subscription trap?: Watch for: 'Free' offer that asks for your full card details; Tiny print about auto-renewal; Celebrity endorsement that turns out to be fake; No phone number or address for the company.
How can I tell if this is a scam?: Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.
What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?: Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Read the terms before entering card details. Use a virtual card or low-limit card for trials. If billed, dispute the charge with your bank and cancel the card.
What should I do if I already sent money?: Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.
Where should Australians report this scam?: Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.

General scam awareness information. ScamShield AI cannot guarantee that every scam will be detected or that a message is legitimate.

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