TRADING standards officers in Oxfordshire are warning people not to sign up for free trials that will trap them into lengthy subscription deals.

The warning has been issued by the county council’s trading standards team as part of National Consumer Week, which runs until tomorrow.

In subscription traps, consumers are tricked into agreeing to a subscription through the advertising of a ‘free trial’ or reduced price offer for a product or service.

If the consumer doesn’t cancel the trial within a set amount of time they are transferred onto a costly subscription payment plan.

Judith Heathcoat, cabinet member for trading standards, said: “The problem is that many people are paying for membership plans they aren’t aware they’ve agreed to and can end up seriously out of pocket.

“Many thought they were in a free or low-cost trial period and find that they have been locked into costly repeat payments. It can be gym memberships, health and weight loss advice, beauty products or TV packages.

“It affects people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Tradings standards managers said an estimated two million people across the UK have tried to cancel subscriptions.