Wells Fargo & The “Free Trial” Scam

Why a “Free Trial” Cost Consumers More Than $200 Million

Remember those too-good-to-be-true “free trial” ads that silently turned into pricey subscriptions? According to a class-action lawsuit, companies such as Triangle Media and Apex Capital used that tactic to drain credit-card holders for years—and they allegedly had help.

What Wells Fargo Was Accused Of

• Opening 150+ fake bank accounts that let scammers route payments.
• Processing recurring credit-card charges that consumers never really authorized.
• Perpetuating a “toxic sales culture,” according to plaintiffs, that prioritized new accounts over due diligence.

The Settlement—At a Glance

The case dragged on for four years before the bank agreed to pay $33 million to end the litigation. While the fund covers only about 5 percent of victims’ estimated losses, plaintiffs say it is the most realistic path to getting compensation into consumers’ hands.

Who Is in the Class?

Anyone hit with recurring billing from the named “free trial” companies since 2009 is included. No separate signup period has been announced yet, but settlement administrators typically contact eligible consumers by mail or email after court approval.

Next Steps for Consumers

1. Keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox for official notices.
2. Gather any statements showing unauthorized “free-trial” charges.
3. Use our free tool to confirm eligibility as soon as the claims portal opens.

Another Chapter in Wells Fargo’s Fake-Account Saga

This isn’t the first time Wells Fargo has faced scrutiny for unauthorized accounts, but the alleged misuse here went a step further—facilitating outright subscription fraud that netted scammers more than $200 million.

For a quick, under-a-minute rundown of what happened, watch attorney Rachel’s explainer below.