BOSS: The Subscription Hydra

Lesson 12 of 12 in our free Bills & Subscriptions guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Bills & Subscriptions is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

Mo's forgotten subscriptions: £7.99, £4.99, £12.99 and £9.99 a month. How much a year if he cancels them all?

Final boss: Mo's broadband price rose mid-contract, and the rise was never mentioned when he signed. Best move?

Red flag: “Hi customer, your subscription payment FAILED.” — Generic greeting plus panic — classic phishing opener.
Red flag: “Your account will be deleted in 12 hours” — Fake urgency to stop you thinking.
Red flag: “Update your card details here: streamz-pay-login.info” — A dodgy-looking link that isn't the company's real site. Log in through the app yourself.
Myth: “You need a TV Licence to watch only non-BBC on-demand streaming.” — Only live TV (any channel) or BBC iPlayer needs one.
Fact: “You can stop a recurring card payment through your bank.” — Cancel the continuous payment authority.
Fact: “The Direct Debit Guarantee refunds payments taken in error.” — Your bank refunds immediately; then sort it with the company.
Myth: “Free trials always cancel themselves.” — The hydra feeds on this myth.