Greg's Corner

The CBD subscription scam

By Greg Collier

Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, has dramatically increased in popularity over the past few years. For those of you who may not be aware, CBD is derived from the cannabis plant but does not contain the ingredient THC that causes cannabis users to get high. In many circles, CBD has been described as a panacea of sorts. It’s been touted as a cure for everything from anxiety to epilepsy. However, the FDA disputes many of these claims and CBD products cannot legally claim to treat any disease. We’re not here to discuss CBD’s efficacy when it comes to being a medical treatment. Instead, we’re here to talk about how it’s popularity is being used by online scammers.

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about online ads that offer free CBD samples. You may see an ad on social media for free CBD samples that is even touted by a celebrity. If you respond to the ad, you’ll be more than likely told that you have to give a credit or debit card number to receive your free sample. Shipping is the usual reason given for needing your card number. What you’re not being told, or is being hidden deep in the fine print, is that you’re actually signing up for a subscription service that could charge you hundreds of dollars a month. This is a popular scam that has plagued the health supplement market for years and is now taking advantage of CBD since it’s the new hot item. By the time you realize you’re being ripped off, it’s usually past the cancellation date that the seller also didn’t tell you about.

In order to avoid this scam, it’s best to avoid any free trial offers online. But if you’re intent on giving a free trial a try, use a credit card if at all possible since it’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges with a credit card than a debit card. You should also ask if you’re being signed up for a subscription and about any return policies the company has. Lastly, research the company before entering into any kind of trial program. A quick web search of the company’s name along with the phrases ‘scam’ or ‘complaints’ can tell you a lot.