Many promotional offers by companies lure consumers into accepting products or subscriptions, but then it can be difficult to avoid a bill, cautions AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Often “free trial” offers require consumers to cancel after the free part ends. And when you don’t cancel, you’ll receive more of the product, along with the bill.

In some cases, the fine print makes it very difficult to cancel in time to avoid any charges. The tactics are generally legal, “unless the seller fails to disclose that you’ll be charged following the free offer,” cautions AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Be careful and read the fine print before accepting any free trial, or simply decline the offer, recommends the Fraud Watch Network.

Another way to inform yourself about whether a free offer is a good move is before signing up, search online for reviews about the company.

For more information: www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

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fraud watch, scams
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