At some point, we've all signed up to one of those free trials that automatically converts into a paid subscription unless you cancel it. While the trial lets you get to grips with a new service or tool before shelling out, forgetting about it could lead to a nasty charge on your account the following month. Now there's an app for that!
Wired UK reports that the DoNotPay app on iOS (unfortunately it doesn't seem to be on Android) has now added a new feature that will automatically cancel your free trials before you get charged. The app's new Free Trial Card feature gives you a blank digital credit card that you can use to sign up for free trials anywhere. When the trial ends, the service will attempt to charge the card and the card will automatically decline.
The service works because the authorisation request for the credit card doesn't go to a bank for approval -- it goes to DoNotPay's system instead, where an algorithm verifies that it's a purchase of a free trial and approves it. When the charge for the full subscription is requested, DoNotPay's system will reject it and then send you an email reminder that your trial has expired.
This is the latest feature of the DoNotPay app by Joshua Browder, a British-American developer who designed the app to help people reclaim money unfairly taken from them. The app can reportedly also scan your bank accounts for fees that should be refunded, provides paperwork to fight parking tickets, and can even sue corporations on your behalf to help you exercise your rights.
Source: Wired UK