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Liz Weston: Companies that trap you into automatic renewals count on customers being lazy

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 10:46 GMT by Oregonian
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Automatic Renewals: How Companies Exploit Customer Laziness

In a sharp-eyed expose for The Oregonian, business reporter Liz Weston turns a spotlight on a quietly pervasive practice that’s quietly draining wallets across the state—and the country. “Companies that trap you into automatic renewals count on customers being lazy,” Weston writes, and the evidence she presents makes that assertion all the more damning.

The “Automatic Renewal” Model

Weston’s article begins by laying out the mechanics of the auto‑renewal clause. A consumer signs up for a service—be it a streaming platform, a gym membership, or a cloud‑storage plan—and the contract includes a clause that automatically renews the subscription for the same term at the same price unless the customer takes a deliberate step to cancel. This clause is typically buried in fine print, and the language is often ambiguous, leaving room for companies to interpret the terms in their favor.

Weston cites specific companies as case studies. The popular fitness app “FitLife” reportedly renews quarterly subscriptions unless users log into their account and actively opt out. The same pattern appears at “StreamWave,” a streaming service that automatically renews at a higher price point once the introductory period ends. And even software vendors, such as “SecureGuard,” keep customers locked into yearly licenses that auto‑extend for a year, complete with hidden fees for extended support.

The article underscores the human psychology behind the model: people enjoy convenience, and a single click—or a single “keep me signed in” option—means the subscription keeps running in the background. According to Weston, “the average consumer rarely checks the status of every subscription, and even less so when the payment isn’t immediately visible on their credit card statement.”

Legal Backdrop: Oregon’s Consumer Protection Laws

Weston turns to the law to explain how companies find a legal loophole to rely on customer inertia. The piece references Oregon’s Consumer Protection Act (OPA), which prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices. However, the OPA does not explicitly forbid automatic renewal clauses, as long as the terms are disclosed at the time of the transaction.

The article quotes a brief excerpt from the Oregon Department of Justice’s guidance on subscription services, which states that any “automatic renewal provision must be clearly disclosed and must be easy for the consumer to cancel.” The DOJ further clarifies that failure to provide a clear cancellation process constitutes a deceptive practice, but companies often circumvent this by making the cancellation link buried in a maze of menus or requiring a phone call.

Weston also pulls in the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) stance on auto‑renewal agreements. The FTC’s “Subscription Services: The Fine Print” guidance recommends that merchants provide an unambiguous, upfront notice of renewal dates, fees, and cancellation procedures. The FTC has, in the past, fined companies that failed to honor these guidelines.

Consumer Experiences and Consequences

The article moves beyond theory and offers anecdotes of Oregon residents who fell victim to auto‑renewal traps. One reader, Maria Lopez, recounts how she signed up for a 12‑month “Language Proficiency” subscription with an introductory rate of $5 per month. At the end of the first month, her bill ballooned to $40 per month because the auto‑renewal clause kicked in and automatically upgraded her plan without her knowledge. She only realized the mistake weeks later when a notification appeared in her email and the invoice was already due.

Another case involves a small business owner who, after a year of subscription to a cloud‑based accounting platform, discovered an auto‑renewal clause that had extended the service for a full year at a 20% surcharge. The business had already budgeted for a different accounting solution, and the surprise expense threatened its financial stability.

These stories illustrate a broader trend: auto‑renewal clauses can lead to unexpected charges, erode consumer trust, and in some cases, push people into debt.

How to Protect Yourself

Weston lists actionable steps for consumers looking to dodge automatic renewals:

1. Read the Fine Print: Before accepting a subscription, locate the “terms and conditions” link. Look for language that mentions “automatic renewal,” “auto‑renewal,” or “subsequent periods.”

2. Set Calendar Alerts: Many smartphones allow you to set recurring reminders. Mark the renewal date and the amount to be charged so you can proactively cancel if you decide it’s not worth it.

3. Use Dedicated Tracking Apps: Services like Truebill or Trim can monitor recurring charges on your bank accounts and alert you to upcoming renewals.

4. Cancel in Advance: For services that allow a cancellation period (e.g., 30 days before renewal), set a reminder to cancel early if you no longer wish to continue.

5. Request a Written Confirmation: After canceling a subscription, ask for an email or postal confirmation that the cancellation was processed. Keep a copy for your records.

6. Report Misleading Practices: If you suspect a company has engaged in deceptive auto‑renewal practices, file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice or the FTC.

Weston concludes with a sobering reminder: “The convenience of subscription services is often a double‑edged sword. Companies profit from the human tendency to overlook a checkbox or a hidden clause, and the consequences can be costly.”

Follow‑Up Links

To give readers deeper insight, the article includes a few external links:

• Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Guidance – A PDF detailing how to spot and avoid auto‑renewal pitfalls.
• FTC’s Subscription Services Guidance – A web page outlining federal best practices for subscription agreements.
• Truebill’s Guide to Managing Subscriptions – An online resource that walks users through identifying hidden recurring payments.

Weston’s piece is more than a warning; it’s an invitation for consumers to take an active role in monitoring their financial commitments. In a marketplace that increasingly relies on subscription models, awareness and vigilance may be the only tools to prevent automatic renewals from becoming an unwanted, invisible drain on wallets.