New research from Citizens Advice found that over 13 million people (26% of UK adults) have accidentally taken out a subscription in the past 12 months.
These subscriptions cover services from fitness apps to food delivery services and repeat pet food to magazine subscriptions. Of those who ended up with an accidental subscription, the most common reason was because it auto-renewed without their knowledge (40%). This is followed by people who took out a subscription for a free trial but forgot to cancel later (39%). And worryingly, almost one in four (24%) people who have ended up in an accidental subscription thought they were making a one-off purchase.
Make sure you’re reviewing your subscriptions to check which ones you’re not using. Check your accounts for direct debits, standing orders and recurring payments. Many regular payments are quarterly, biannual or yearly so check back over 12 months to ensure you cover all outgoings. Common payments to look out for are things like gym memberships, subscription TV channels or streaming services, magazine subscriptions, dating site memberships, club memberships, insurance for items you no longer have or unwanted charity Direct Debits.
Citizens Advice North Herts offers a community workshop on being ‘consumer savvy’.
If this is something you would be interested in attending or if you belong to a local group who would like us to come and visit then please get in touch via our website northhertscab.org.uk
