Let’s face it, as consumers we want to spend as little money as possible, and if there’s a freebie anywhere in our line of sight, we jump on it the first chance we get! However, when it comes to our health, spending as little as possible is the worst thing that any of us can do. Beware of the “free” CBD oil scam sweeping the internet.
In all the years of dealing with CBD, there’s two very important lessons I’ve learned – don’t skimp on quality, and don’t be fooled by those free CBD oil scams! As with any lesson that’s worth learning, mine was learned the hard way. But, you don’t have to waste your time or money, because I’m going to explain exactly why those “free CBD oil” trial offers are not your pocketbook’s best friend.
If you’ve been shopping for CBD online, which is how most of people buy the product, you may have seen an ad for “Get a FREE trial bottle of CBD oil.” Of course, it’s not really free. The fine print makes it clear that although the bottle of CBD is technically free, you’ll still be spending money for shipping. But, it’s usually a small fee and much less than what you’d end up spending for a bottle of CBD elsewhere, so it sounds like a pretty good deal.
Unfortunately, it’s not.
Free CBD Bottle Scam
Those free trial offers usually come with even more fine print. In your eagerness to snag a month’s supply of CBD for just a few dollars, you may gloss over the fact that you have to sign up for a monthly subscription, which is automatically deducted from your credit or debit card.
By the time you try out the CBD oil, which turns out is of inferior quality, the company has already charged you for your first month’s subscription, which can sometimes run you upwards of $90. That free bottle just cost you, big time!
The “free trial bottle” scam is one of the oldest out there. The scheme itself is not new (insert your favorite health supplement or fat-burning diet pill here), but since CBD’s have only recently hit the mainstream, it’s a brand new opportunity for unethical companies to milk us yet again for all we’re worth.
The “free CBD oil” scam feeds on both our gullibility and our ever-increasing forgetfulness. Ironically, a good quality CBD can actually help address that last part.
Unfortunately, cancelling ends up being a lot more work than you bargained for. For example, there’s usually no quick and easy way to cancel online. Customer service may be non-existent, and emails never get returned. If there’s a phone number, you might be connected to a non-native English speaker in a foreign country, and you can’t understand a word they’re saying.
This is all done on purpose to give you the runaround. The only way to cancel is to contact your bank and file a dispute. In the meantime, you’re out of money and the 2nd month’s automatic debit date is looming.
What To Do If You’re Scammed
If you think you’ve been scammed, then it’s not too late to get your money back. It’s a hassle, but if you want your money back, try the following to get a refund. These are the solutions that worked for me:
1. Threaten the company with legal action
It’s time to let your mean girl out. Threaten the company with legal action, and you don’t have to be polite about either! Ask them to cancel your subscription, and demand a full refund, minus the original shipping costs that you agreed to pay for. Tell them that you are going to file a fraud charge-back with your bank, that you’ll be in contact with the state attorney general if they refuse to issue a refund.
2. Cancel your credit/debit card
Contact your credit card company or bank to let them know what happened. It may be a hassle, but if you think the scammer may continue to bill you, cancel your credit card and ask your bank to issue you a new one with a different number.
3. File a fraud case
If you were charged for anything other than the shipping costs you agreed to, file a “fraud charge-back” claim against the scammers. They’ll be forced to refund you the extra charges they made. Although it takes time, in the end it will work in your favor.
4. ALWAYS read the Terms and Conditions
No one reads these things, but if you don’t read the terms and conditions, you might not be able to get your money back.
5. Watch out for fake reviews
There are thousands of websites out there that promote CBD products with fake reviews of CBD oil products. The affiliate earns a commission when you click on their link to make a purchase.
6. Dust yourself and get on with life
Many of us have fallen prey to a scam at one time or another. It’s no big deal. Forgive yourself and move on. You’ll have learned a valuable lesson, and know that it’s best to do your research before buying CBD oil online.
The CBD Hall of Shame
Many fraudulent companies have come and gone over the years. But, there are still some that are continuing to make a profit at your expense. Some names that may be tied to the “free trial bottle” scam include:
Miracle CBD, Pure CBD, Sky CBD, True CBD, Assure CBD, Pure Med CBD, Divine CBD, Isolate Direct CBD, Organix CBD, Serenity CBD, and Optimal Choice CBD.
Who Can You Trust?
It pays to read the fine print and not skimp on quality. There are plenty of affordable CBD options out there, including Bliss Herbal and Fab CBD. If you want to go with a more established, but slightly more expensive brand, check out Charlotte’s Web. None of these companies offer a free trial bottle, but they do offer an unconditional money-back guarantee. That alone should tell you that they’re legit! But, don’t take my word for it. Do your research, and absolutely read the fine print!
