The European Consumer Centre is warning the public to be on guard for subscription traps.
It says a growing number of people are being asked to pay small sums of money for online purchases but don't realise that increasing sums can be deducted from their accounts.
Cyril Sullivan heads up the European Consumer Centre in Ireland.
He says unless a subscription is formally cancelled, consumers can end up paying more than they bargained for:
"This happens when a consumer is misled into agreeing to a subscription to goods or services through an advert for trial or for a reduced price or a sample goal. If the subscription is not actually cancelled, it means that the consumer could be transferred onto a very costly, long term financial payment plan."
