Citizens Advice Cornwall is warning people about the dangers of subscriptions - after new research revealed people are wasting hundreds of pounds on them when they’re no longer wanted.

Analysis of 500 cases reported to the national Citizens Advice consumer service between June and August 2017 finds people lost an average of £160 from subscriptions they wanted to cancel, but weren’t able to.

Citizens Advice Cornwall is now sharing tips on how to avoid getting tied into a subscription and has been taking part in National Consumer Week - a campaign to help people understand their consumer rights which launched on Monday (November 27).

The analysis from national Citizens Advice reveals that companies can make it hard to cancel a subscription with nine in ten people prevented from doing so after asking.

Common reasons for turning down a cancellation include being told to use a specific method, like the phone, or to give more than a month’s notice. 

People also reported not being made aware they had signed up for a subscription in the first place, or that their contract would continue on an auto renewal basis.

With subscriptions now being offered across a range of goods and services, from beauty products to TV streaming, Citizens Advice Cornwall is urging people to check the small print before they sign up.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, businesses can’t enforce terms on consumers that are unfair.

Neil Colquhoun, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Cornwall, said: ‘People can be made to feel like they’re going round in circles when trying to cancel a subscription.

‘This research shows that companies are continuing to cash in on unwanted subscriptions by blocking people’s cancellation on the grounds of a technicality.

‘It’s important for people to read any terms and conditions before signing up to a subscription, but they should also be on the lookout for companies who are deliberately throwing obstacles in their way when they try to cancel.

‘Anyone who needs advice on how to cancel a subscription, or runs into difficulty doing so, should contact us for further help.’