Unsolicited Offers May Cost You
You know the "free trial offer" that you're considering? You may want to think a little more. Under the terms of "negative option" marketing a merchant can begin to bill you for unsolicited telephone or mail offerings if you don't cancel the order within the specified period.
Negative option marketing is more likely to occur with vendors that already have your credit card information, such as your bank. The merchant may try to sell you auto insurance, life insurance or something else that incurs a monthly charge. Once you're in their system it's not so easy to get out. One author provides tips to help you avoid the trap.
Be on the Lookout
Contact
The Attorney General
www.naag.org
Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
1 877 382 4357
Negative option marketing is more likely to occur with vendors that already have your credit card information, such as your bank. The merchant may try to sell you auto insurance, life insurance or something else that incurs a monthly charge. Once you're in their system it's not so easy to get out. One author provides tips to help you avoid the trap.
Be on the Lookout
- Carefully review bank statements each month and question unfamiliar charges.
- Legally you have sixty days to dispute charges on your statement.
- Be wary of free trial offers because they often turn out to be negative option programs.
Contact
The Attorney General
www.naag.org
Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
1 877 382 4357
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