West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service said that it continues to receive a large number of complaints from consumers who have signed up to online “free trials” of beauty treatments, slimming products and health products.

Consumers receive internet offers of these products and enter their bank details to pay a small amount for postage and packing of the “free” product.

They later find out that a much larger amount is taken from their account without their knowledge. Some people have had £70 per month or more taken from their bank account.

What these people didn't realise was that hidden within the terms and conditions of the website they were actually agreeing to a monthly subscription contract.

Sometimes they end up being charged for several months before they realise what has happened.

Many of these contracts lock consumers into a Continuous Payment Authority, which they then have trouble cancelling.

Consumers who may have been a victim of one of these websites can report the matter to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chief officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards said, “It’s natural for people to be attracted to a “free offer”. But this is a costly mistake to make and there is little prospect of getting your money back once it has been taken from your account”

Councillor Val Slater, chairman of the Trading Standards Committee, said, “There are so many misleading internet offers it is difficult for consumers to negotiate the genuine from the scams.

"Never pass on your credit card or bank details unless you are absolutely sure that the business is trustworthy. If you don’t have the time to read all the small print and research the internet feedback, just walk away from the offer.”