Jamie Naessens thought so. She used her credit card to get a free sample of a tooth whitener advertised as cheaper than visiting a dentist.
"A friend of mine on Facebook posted about a product she was happy with that she got for free," she says. "Her account was hacked, but I didn't know until later."
She went to the website, www.premiumwhitepro.com, and agreed to pay $1.95 (U.S.) to cover shipping costs. But a confirmation email showed $11.90 charged to her credit card.
"We charge an extra $9.50 for international orders," she was told after calling the Colorado-based company for a live chat on the night she did the transaction.
Only when she asked to cancel did she find out that accepting the trial order could have trapped her in a monthly shipping program.
"If you don't cancel, you will be billed $87.62 for the product and you'll then become a PremiumWhite Celebrity Member," the website says.
Naessens cancelled the trial order, but the company insisted the $11.90 shipping charge was non-refundable. Luckily, she had a screen shot of her live chat and sent it to her credit card issuer, President's Choice Financial.
She also cancelled her credit card and asked for a new one to be issued with a new number.
Erin Gray, a President's Choice spokeswoman, said customers have to take precautions against online scams.
"Ms. Naessens was reimbursed for the charge she incurred from the company," Gray said. "By taking the extra step of closing her card and opening a new one, she should avoid further charges related to the online offer.
"Should the company proceed with charging the card again, we will certainly work with Ms. Naessens to find a resolution (including adjusting the charge)."
Complaints about recurring charges by merchants often have the same result. Customers have to call their credit card issuer every month and file a dispute.
This happens despite guarantees by Visa and MasterCard against unauthorized purchases made in a store, over the phone or online.
Naessens feels a little foolish, but a lot wiser, about how credit card companies operate.
"I have always considered myself a fairly smart consumer. However, I've been humbled recently.
"I feel that credit card issuers are not committed to changing the system to protect consumers.
"It is true that the issuer has promised to work with me in the future. However, that is not the same as making a promise to reverse any future charges, even though I did everything I could possibly do, given the situation.
"The very fact that suspect merchants can resubmit the charges is unacceptable — and once again, the consumer is victimized."
Naessens had one more surprise. She joined a security group at Facebook to share her experience.
But she couldn't comment online without verifying her Facebook account. This meant having to provide her cellphone number, so she could be sent a text message with a security code.
"I'd already compromised my credit card number. I wasn't going to do that with my cellphone number," she says.
Internet user beware. A free sample is a common come-on for monthly shipments of vitamins or cosmetics. And if you complain, the company will say you agreed to the terms and conditions before placing your order.
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