Content by: Wendy Busse-Coleman
I wasn’t planning to write this post—I was just trying to save some cash.
Chargeback seemed like the perfect deal: a cool dashboard that claimed it could cancel those annoying subscriptions, uncover sneaky fees, and maybe even snag me a refund. All I had to do? Link up my Apple and Google emails. Simple, right? Looked free. Sounded useful. Or so I thought.
Within minutes, my dashboard lit up with trial offers and paid subscriptions. I selected a few to cancel. The app responded instantly: "We're on it!" Then came the prompt for a credit card. No price listed. Just a vague suggestion that it was needed to apply refunds. Still no red flags.
Then the review requests started rolling in. First on Trustpilot, then the App Store. I slapped on 5 stars for one and 3 for the other, giving a shoutout to how quick and easy it all was. I even wrote, "Hard to believe this service is free." Honestly, I really thought it was. Until I didn't.
Something felt off. That gut feeling the one we're taught to ignore in favor of convenience nudged me to look closer. That's when I saw it: I was charged $152 for this service, and I had no idea if it was a monthly, quarterly, or yearly fee. (Turned out, after checking their email after the charge, it was yearly.) No heads-up. No confirmation. Just money taken without notice.
To top it off, after I tried to cancel, a pop-up appeared offering me a full year for $70. Seriously? I was furious. I took screenshots. I demanded a refund through their chat. They say it's processed. We'll see.
What This Scam Taught Me
- Manipulative design is everywhere. If a service looks free but asks for your credit card, pause.
- Early reviews can be misleading. I gave mine before I knew the truth. That's how they get you.
- Gut feelings matter. They're not paranoia. They're protection.
- Transparency isn't optional, it's ethical. Buring fees behind dashboards and urgency is a violation of trust.
For Creators, Advocates, and Everyday Consumers
If you've ever felt tricked, embarrassed, or angry after a digital interaction you're not alone. Scams thrive on silence and shame. But we can flip the script.
- Speak up. Update your reviews. Share your story.
- Report it. reportfraud.ftc.gov tracks patterns like this.
- Educate your audience. Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or advocate, your voice protects others.
Final Thought
I'm just a consumer. I'm a storyteller. And this story, frustrating as it is, is now part of my advocacy. Because every scam exposed is one less person tricked.
If you've had a similar experience, I see you. Let's turn our anger into action.
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