TL;DR: The scam surge lands in the first two to three weeks of January, when resolution-driven sign-ups for gyms and subscription apps are at their yearly high and people are less careful reading terms. Read the cancellation policy before signing up for any January promotion, and set a calendar reminder before any free trial or discounted period ends.
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The scam surge lands in the first two to three weeks of January, when resolution-driven sign-ups for gyms and subscription apps are at their yearly high and people are less careful reading terms.
How the Scam Plays Out
Ads for gym memberships, meal plans, and fitness apps advertise a deep first-month discount but bury an auto-renewing annual contract in the fine print, along with a cancellation process designed to be difficult to complete.
How to Protect Yourself
Read the cancellation policy before signing up for any January promotion, and set a calendar reminder before any free trial or discounted period ends.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Open Enrollment Health Insurance Scams.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Pre-Holiday Package Theft and Porch Piracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
The scam surge lands in the first two to three weeks of January, when resolution-driven sign-ups for gyms and subscription apps are at their yearly high and people are less careful reading terms.
What tactics are used?
Ads for gym memberships, meal plans, and fitness apps advertise a deep first-month discount but bury an auto-renewing annual contract in the fine print, along with a cancellation process designed to be difficult to complete.
How can I protect myself?
Read the cancellation policy before signing up for any January promotion, and set a calendar reminder before any free trial or discounted period ends.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.