Female VO: They say the best things in life are free — so when you hear about a free trial offer – what have you got to lose?

Well, sometimes, there’s a downside to those offers…

Companies might bill you every month until you cancel, and even make it difficult for you to get out of the deal.

So, how do you avoid costs hidden in the fine print?

Start by looking online for complaints about the company and its offers.

Next, see if the form you’re filling out has pre-checked boxes. UNCHECK them.  Those little checkmarks could sign you up for costly products.

And keep an eye on your calendar. Know when to cancel to avoid charges.

Finally, review your credit card statements – make sure you weren’t billed for items you didn’t order.

When it comes to responding to free trial offers, exercise doubt. Check out FTC.gov to learn more.

A tip from the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency.