Subscription scam

Online offer that appears to be free at first glance but then turns out to be an expensive subscription. These offers aim to lure Internet users into quickly concluding a contract or purchasing a service.

Subscription scams are usually hidden behind supposed surveys or competitions. The contract clauses are hidden at the very bottom in the small print or in the general terms and conditions. By registering or clicking, a long-term and expensive subscription contract is concluded. Sometimes, a credit card number is requested. The entire annual subscription is then immediately charged to the credit card.

Specific measures

Contact your credit card company immediately if you have provided your credit card details.
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) recommends that you send a registered letter to the provider as soon as the error is discovered, contesting the contract on the grounds of error and deliberate deceit. The letter should contain at least the following: "I have been deceived by your website. Consequently, I am hereby contesting any contract concluded on the grounds of error and deliberate deceit."

Preventive measures

Check your credit card transactions regularly. This will enable you to intervene immediately with your credit card company in the event of abusive transfers.
Be sceptical about emails claiming that you have won something.
Be particularly careful if you have to give your credit card details in order to access free offers.
Find out about the service provider on the Internet. To do this, enter the service provider's name in a search engine. In many cases, you will find that information is already about the seriousness of the offer.

Effects and risks

By registering or clicking, a long-term and expensive subscription contract is concluded.
Once such a "contract" has been entered into, payment reminders and threats of legal action follow to intimidate victims if they do not pay on time.

Further Information

SECO has published an article and a brochure on online subscription scams:
https://www.seco.admin.ch/seco/en/home/seco/nsb-news.msg-id-34118.html
The Consumer Protection Foundation has also published a factsheet on subscription scams:
https://www.konsumentenschutz.ch/themen/internet/sms-und-internet-abofallen-vermeiden (in German).