TAXLOOPHOLE.CAMoney skills school doesn't teach
Saving and Spending
Subscriptions & Scams0/3 questions
In this lesson
  1. Introduction
  2. Recurring charges
  3. Scam warning signs
  4. Protect information
  5. Put it into practice
  6. Check your understanding
  7. Official sources
  8. In short
Saving and Spending

Subscriptions, Online Spending and Scams

Recognize recurring charges and online-payment warning signs.

6 minutesBeginnerReviewed July 23, 2026Lesson 9 of 15
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to…
  • Spot recurring charges before they quietly add up.
  • Recognize common scam warning signs.
  • Protect your accounts with unique passwords and MFA.

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

Key takeaway

Small recurring charges can quietly use a large part of your money over time.

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.

Key terms in this lesson
Recurring charge

A payment that repeats automatically until cancelled.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

A second layer of login security beyond just a password.

Quick check

Which of these is a common scam warning sign?

Put it into practice

0/3 done
  1. Review your account statement.
  2. List every recurring charge.
  3. Decide whether to keep, cancel or investigate each one.
Check your understanding

3 questions

Progress is saved in this browser

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?

In short

  • Small recurring charges can quietly use a large part of your money over time.
  • Before a free trial, know the paid start date, price, and how to cancel.
  • Urgency, gift-card demands, and requests for codes are classic scam warning signs.
  • Use unique passwords and multi-factor authentication, and never share a verification code.
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.

Found something inaccurate or out of date? Report an error on this lesson.