ONLINE TRAPS
So many times people find that although they thought they were buying a single item online (like weight loss drug one month prescription) they actually were agreeing to a subscription (read: contract) for a year or more of the same product.
Others, not reading the tiny print (there are pages of this stuff), found out that their personal information would be sold to hundreds of other businesses and (now) there was nothing they could do about it.
The Federal Trade Commission tries to handle the complaints, but the sheer number of complainers per online business is greater than lawsuits against Trump. They close down ONE online grift operation only to find the bad actors have filed for bankruptcy and started two more online companies.
Would it surprise you to find that some of the worst of the worst also advertise a lot? Medigap insurance companies, final expense insurance companies (the “no health questions” type), male ED companies (and female), [the list is long]. I have one very simple rule: If it is advertised a lot (like we receive monthly ads in the mail for some hearing aid company or internet provider) the “deals” are bogus. Companies never advertise things that don’t make THEM a ton of money.
True story … I was searching for bulk nut suppliers because my spouse loves Pecans and tree nuts can be kept in the freezer. (The cost of tree nuts in the store is treetop robbery.) I found a supplier who would send a box of 20 pounds of Pecans for $6 per pound (store price was $12), plus a reasonable shipping price. I was about to click “Purchase” when I noticed the tiny asterisk. The price was good only if I signed up for monthly delivery. Can I mention that the asterisk was shown only once and was much smaller print than the price quoted. The details were in tiny print at the scroll-down bottom of the page. I came to a “full and complete stop” on that order.
Then there’s the sensitive issue of stopping (canceling) the subscription even after the contracted year. If you’ve never had to do this, it is infinitely painful. First, you call the number provided only to be put on hold (“Your call is important to us. We are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. Please wait for the next operator. You are 74th in line.”) That is only the beginning. Can’t tell you how many times I finally got to an operator and my call was DROPPED. (Believe me, that is an intentional tactic to discourage callers.) I had to start the process from the beginning. Your phone better have a full battery! Second, the operator will use confusing language (or have an accent from Timbuktu). You will strain to understand and be understood. Don’t try to tell your story. Use few words and ultra clear language. (My favorite sentence is “Cancel service.”)
The operator will do everything in his or her power to dissuade you from canceling the subscription. They can be nasty, too. They will put the onus on YOU. You’ll have to explain why you no longer want this wonderful service (like YOU are a creep for wanting to end a one-sided arrangement). Some customers have done it the easier way … they cancel the credit card the charges are being sent to, … but I recommend you don’t do that unless you’ve tried everything else first. Just because THEY are unsavory doesn’t mean you have to be.
Come to think of it, all your online purchases should be made with a “burner credit card” for this very reason. Of course, some have found that the online company was willing to sue them for the service they were providing or send a bad credit report to the three credit reporting agencies. Let them try to explain to the judge why they refused to cancel the subscription when you called on THIS date, THIS time, and spoke with THIS operator. (You can do the same thing when a company wants your banking info. If you insist on taking that financial risk you should have a “burner checking account” not at the same bank as your actual checking and/or savings account.)
If you want to read of the experiences of others in this regard see the article written by Matt Novak for Gizmodo: “ ‘They Are Thieves’: FTC Complaints About Hims & Hers Detail Surprise Charges. “
All that being said, it is BETTER to not get in bed with these thieves in the first place. How to avoid this problem:
- Don’t buy any product or service online if you can help it (see #4).
- Don’t buy anything you weren’t planning to buy before seeing the commercial or before you got the “sales pitch.” This kind of person is also good at lying to your face.
- Always READ the small print. The more small print the easier it is to hide the nasty stuff. One businessman always included a paragraph in contracts that if the buyer tried to back out the buyer had to buy him a new BMW. He said he never had to use it, but it was insurance.
- Never use your permanent e-mail address or your best credit card for online transactions. I have a burner e-mail (when the amount of unsolicited mail reaches a certain level I create a new one and dump the old).
- If it is a contract, make sure you write down the date you should call before the year is up. Include the phone number on your note. Many companies have an “auto-renew” policy if you don’t cancel before the year ends.
- On payment plans with a 6-month “interest-free” or “same as cash” timeline: Remember the time starts on the date you bought it, not the sixth credit card cycle. It should be paid in full BEFORE the 180th day arrives or you will be paying an interest rate above 25% for the ENTIRE “interest-free” period. They love fooling you.
It is easier than ever to be taken. Therefore, you have to be smarter than ever. I always ask for the receipts. I always print the contracts. I always keep the data in real paper files. When the hard drive fails I still have a written contract. Many businesses do this and that tells me a great deal. Paper copies reduce the risks.
The government will always send a paper copy. They never just call, text, or send an e-mail. But a paper copy is not proof that the government agency sent it. I never call the number provided, nor do I ever click on a provided link. It is harder, but far more secure, to look up elsewhere the number to call or the e-mail address.
Avoid every trap you can as often as you can.
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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