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Saving and Spending
Saving and Spending

Subscriptions, Online Spending and Scams

Recognize recurring charges and online-payment warning signs.

6 minutesBeginnerReviewed July 23, 2026Lesson 9 of 15

Subscriptions, app purchases, game items and delivery fees can quietly use a large part of your money.

Recurring charges

Before a free trial, find: the paid start date, regular price, cancellation method, renewal period and cancellation deadline.

Scam warning signs

Watch for immediate payment demands, threats or urgency, gift-card or cryptocurrency requests, requests for passwords or verification codes, fake bank or government links, unrealistically cheap deals, or requests to leave a trusted selling platform.

Contact the organization independently using its official website.

Protect information

Use unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Never share verification codes.

Try this

  1. 1Review your account statement.
  2. 2List every recurring charge.
  3. 3Decide whether to keep, cancel or investigate each one.
Check your understanding

3 questions

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Questions completed: 0 of 3

Question 1 of 3
Why do small monthly subscriptions matter so much?
Question 2 of 3
A message says your account will be closed in one hour unless you confirm your password through a link. What is the safest response?
Question 3 of 3
Which is the strongest warning sign of an online selling scam?

Official sources

Educational content only. TaxLoophole.ca provides general educational information and does not provide personalized tax, legal or financial advice. Rules may change and may differ based on your province, territory and circumstances. Verify important decisions with the Canada Revenue Agency, another appropriate government source or a qualified professional.

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Credit Cards and Credit Scores
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Understand Your First Paycheque