That subscription you don't remember activating and that is now asking you for money
Imagine the scene. A very serious-looking letter arrives at your home. Official letterhead, legal language, a Swiss payment slip already filled out. For a moment, your blood runs cold. The amount isn't astronomical, but you don't recognize the service. You don't remember signing up for anything. Yet your name is right there, in black and white.
In recent months in Ticino, several readers have reported similar situations to me. Online subscriptions activated without any real awareness. Sometimes linked to adult content, other times to generic services. The script rarely changes. It all starts with a quick click. A banner while you're browsing. A link in an SMS. A button in a chat. The promise is always reassuring: free access, age verification, trial content. In a few seconds, you are presented with lengthy terms and conditions, written in small print, containing a standard phrase to collect formal consent. You confirm to proceed. From that moment, the subscription begins. For months, no one notices. Then comes the bill.
For years, these charges appeared directly on mobile phone bills. A generic entry, a few francs every month. Many paid without noticing. Others assumed it was an operator error and let it go.
Now the strategy is more aggressive. The demand arrives by mail. Formal language, logo, header. The attached payment slip gives an air of officialdom. It seems like something to be paid and filed away. In several cases, the embarrassment factor also comes into play, especially when it involves adult content. People prefer to settle up and never speak of it again.
This is where you should stop. Paper and a payment slip do not turn weak consent into a clear contract. A physical letter does not, on its own, prove clear intent on your part. A Swiss payment slip does not automatically make every commitment valid. A charge on a bill is not equivalent to a truly informed agreement.
The question you must ask yourself remains the same: did you sign up consciously, with understandable information and without traps?
These demands work because they rely on psychological pressure. The amount seems manageable, and the tone of the phrasing tends to be frightening. They speak of deadlines, reminders, and potential consequences. Faced with a bolded date, many choose the quickest route: pay and close their eyes. This is exactly the reaction they are counting on.
If you receive a request of this type, the first rule is to stop. No impulsive payments. Then move on to the facts with some concrete verification:
Check the dates, amounts, and technical references provided. Verify the phone number, email address, and device. Ask the sender for detailed proof of the consent given, including the date, time, and method. Avoid written responses that sound like a partial admission and do not make payments just to "get it off your mind."
When you demand precise and traceable documentation, many claims lose their steam. In several cases, they disappear without further persistence. To avoid ending up in these situations, a bit of digital discipline is required. Be wary of offers that are too fast or unclear. Always read what you are confirming when you press "accept" or "continue." Enable notifications on your credit card and bank account so you can see suspicious charges in real-time. Regularly check your mobile phone bill, not just the total.
The digital world, as I often repeat in DigiTIAMO, simplifies life. But it rewards those who remain vigilant. Today, the trap no longer comes only through the screen. It reaches you in your mailbox, with a payment slip ready to go. Your task remains the same: understand, verify, and do not pay out of fear. When in doubt, asking one extra question costs less than a subscription you don't even remember activating.