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Automatic paid subscriptions from free trials (Fotor.com example)

Automatic paid subscriptions from free trials
Fotor.com

Example: Fotor’s Free Trial and Subscription Charges
FTC Guidance

Fotor

Fotor’s free trial policy is not supposed to be designed to charge people who didn’t agree to a paid plan, but in practice, many users have reported being charged without explicit approval, and the company’s own terms mean that the trial automatically converts to a paid subscription if you don’t cancel before it ends.

How the Fotor trial works

Fotor’s free trial is typically 7 days long . If you don’t cancel before the trial ends, your payment method is charged for a Pro or Pro+ subscription . This conversion happens automatically, you don’t need to re‑agree to a plan; the trial’s terms are part of your account agreement.

Note that uninstalling the app or stopping use does not cancel the trial or prevent the charge.

Why some people are charged without agreeing

Timing and time zones: Cancellations must be made at least one full day before the trial ends to account for processing delays .
Platform differences: If you signed up via Apple App Store or Google Play, billing is handled by those platforms, and Fotor can’t cancel directly .
User error: Many people cancel too late or miss the cancellation window, leading to charges.
Agreement by default: When you sign up, you agree to the terms, which include the trial-to-paid conversion.

What you can do

DO NOT USE FOTOR
If you do (bad idea!):
- Cancel early: Fotor recommends canceling at least one day before the trial ends .
- Check your account: If you signed up on the website, cancel in your Fotor account dashboard; if via App Store/Google Play, cancel through their subscription settings .
- Keep proof: Save any cancellation confirmation or receipt in case of disputes .
- Dispute charges: If charged without intent, contact your bank or payment provider, and Fotor’s support team if you believe the charge was unauthorized Şikayetvar.

Fotor Bottom Line:

Fotor’s policy is that the trial automatically becomes a paid subscription if you don’t cancel before it ends. While they say they "don't charge people who didn’t agree” in the sense of forcing a new agreement, many users are charged because they didn’t cancel in time. If you want to avoid a charge, cancel well before the trial expires and confirm the cancellation in your account or through the platform’s subscription settings.

FTC Guidance on Unauthorized Subscription Charges

If you’ve been charged for a subscription you never agreed to, such as a Fotor.com service, the FTC says you have no obligation to pay for something you didn’t order Federal Trade Commission. Unauthorized debits are considered a crime, and you can take steps to stop the charge and recover your money.

What to Do Immediately

Stop the charge
- Contact the company directly (Fotor) and follow their cancellation instructions. Keep a copy of your request and any conversation notes Federal Trade Commission.
- If you have no record of the service, ask for proof of enrollment, if they can’t provide it, the charge may be invalid Better Business Bureau.
Check your bank/credit card statements
- Look for the charge after cancellation. If it appears, you can dispute it (also called a “chargeback”) with your card issuer Federal Trade Commission.
File a dispute
- Online: Log into your card account and initiate a dispute.
- By phone: Call the number on the back of your card and explain the unauthorized charge.
- In writing: Send a formal letter to your card issuer’s billing dispute address, including proof of no enrollment Federal Trade Commission.
Report to the FTC
- File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or contact your state attorney general Federal Trade Commission.

FTC’s “Click-to-Cancel” Rule

The FTC’s 2024 final “click-to-cancel” rule makes it easier to end recurring subscriptions. It requires sellers to make cancellation as easy as signing up, prohibit misrepresentation, and get informed consent before charging Federal Trade Commission. This rule applies to “negative option” programs (like Fotor’s free trial auto-converting to a paid plan) and aims to prevent deceptive practices.

Common Fotor-Related Issues

Free trial auto-conversion: Many Fotor users report that the 7-day trial automatically becomes a paid subscription unless canceled before the trial ends.
No prior enrollment record: Some users say they were charged even though Fotor had no record of their service, suggesting possible unauthorized access to payment info Better Business Bureau.
Dispute outcomes: In some cases, payment platforms (like PayPal) sided with the seller, but victims still pursued FTC complaints Better Business Bureau.

Key Takeaways

You are not legally bound to pay for something you didn’t order.
Document everything: dates, communications, and proof of no enrollment.
Use the FTC’s dispute and reporting tools to protect your rights.
Be aware of FTC’s new “click-to-cancel” rule, which may help you avoid similar issues in the future.

If you’ve already been charged, act quickly, delays can make recovery harder.

Further Information

Copies of the documents mentioned in this news release are available from the FTC's Web site and from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click here or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,600 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

MEDIA CONTACT:: Frank Dorman,
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674
STAFF CONTACT:: Karen Jagielski,
Bureau of Consumer Protection
202-326-2509

Consumer Information: