Surely it can feel tempting to try a free subscription for a digital service? Canceling a free subscription may seem like a simple and free process. But reality shows that it can be an expensive and complicated business.
More and more consumers have run into difficulties trying to end their free trials, leading the Swedish Consumer Agency to now warn of companies offering to do this for you – for a fee. It reports SvD Business.
In recent months, complaints to the Swedish Consumer Agency have skyrocketed, with consumers expressing frustration with invoices from companies such as Bymetis and Termination Experts.
These companies offer to terminate subscriptions on the customer’s behalf, but several consumers have been surprised when they received demands of up to SEK 5,000 for services they did not even realize they had used.
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The risk of “scare debts”
A recurring complaint is that consumers were not aware that they were hiring these companies. After searching for instructions on how to cancel their subscription, they have ended up on the company’s website, thinking they were navigating to the original company’s website.
The cost of sending a notice of termination can in some cases amount to several hundred kroner, even though, according to the newspaper, it would have cost only 18 kroner to send the letter itself.
It is not uncommon for these companies to use threatening methods to get consumers to pay. Several testimonies describe so-called “intimidation debts”, where consumers receive demand letters with threats of increased amounts and payment notices.
According to the newspaper, consumers have shared experiences where they were threatened with payment demands of up to SEK 9,000 if they did not pay the invoice immediately.
In a press release from The Swedish Consumer Agency from April 2024 they pointed out that many people feel misled by these companies. Companies such as Bymetis and Termination Experts are registered in the Netherlands and target customers who want to terminate subscriptions.
Although it is now clearer on their websites that the services cost money, previous wording such as “all inclusive 0” has created confusion among consumers.
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Then you can dispute it
Henrik Jonssonlegal advisor at Konsument Europa, points out that it is important to be careful when terminating a free subscription.
– The caller is often nervous and worried about payment requirements. But you always have the opportunity to dispute an invoice and as long as you do, you will not receive a remark, he tells SvD.
He points out that consumers always have the right to dispute an invoice if they believe it is incorrect. As long as you dispute the claim in writing, you will not receive a payment notice, even if the company threatens to do so.
If you receive an incorrect invoice, it is important that you document your dispute in writing. You can contact the Swedish Consumer Agency’s guidance counselor or Konsument Europa for advice on how to proceed.
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