Consumers caught in subscription traps are finding it difficult to get their money back from banks, with financial institutions often prioritising the fine print of transactions. Which? has found that banks frequently decline refunds for past charges, as they perceive customers to have willingly entered their card details.
Many of the businesses involved in these traps offer overpriced services, such as a 'blog builder' for £46 every two weeks or a PDF converter for £50 a month. These companies often operate for a short period before disappearing and potentially reappearing under new names.
Which? highlighted the case of Marilyn, a member who was charged recurring payments without her consent after agreeing to a one-off £11 payment for a charging cable. Santander only refunded her as a 'gesture of goodwill', stating she had authorised the payments and received some items.
New rules, set to be implemented from January 2027, will require companies to provide clear information, send renewal reminders, and offer a 14-day cooling-off period after a trial or auto-renewal. However, Which? predicts these measures may not deter the worst offenders, especially those operating outside the UK.