RealtyTrac

This company sells real estate and foreclosure information on a monthly subscription plan billed at $49.95 per month with a negative option cancellation policy. The company's website also offers the service as a 7 day free trial. Upon the expiration of the 7 day free trial you will be enrolled in a subscription program and billed monthly for the $49.95 subscription fee until you cancel. ~~We urge caution before agreeing to trial offers or giving your credit card number to unfamiliar companies with unfamiliar products. This company requires those responding to the free trial offer to provide a payment method as a condition of using the free trial period. Once your credit card number or other payment information has been has been provided it will remain on file with the seller for billing purposes. If you forget to cancel or for any reason fail to do so your card or account number is readily available to bill for your first month's membership fee. Other offers advertised on the website by third party companies also offering free trials may also utilize your billing information. ~~This company's free trial is conditional upon providing payment information. FTC Guidelines for advertising this type of offer require that all terms and conditions of the offer as well as cancellation instructions be clearly and conspicuously displayed in at least 10 point type before asking for payment or obtaining the customer's consent. Clearly and conspicuously means NOT disclosed in microscopic print accessed by a web blink to another site but rather disclosed along with the free trial solicitation. ~~Regardless many consumers overlook the advisory and are unaware of the charge until their next monthly credit card statement. In this company's case some consumers complain they are unable to cancel services by using the instruction provided by the company. Industry guidelines require marketers to provide a fast easy method of canceling either by mail phone or website Failure to do so may be a violation of consumer protection laws.~~Most credit card issuers will allow the cardholder 60 days to dispute an unauthorized or inaccurate charge. Review your monthly statement carefully. If you discover a charge which is unfamiliar investigate and dispute the amount with your card issuer as soon as possible to protect yourself from making unwanted purchases.