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Government cracks down on "free" trial offers

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Whiter teeth, flatter stomach, younger looking skin?

It's what the ads promise. And you can try the products for free, maybe.

The Federal Trade Commission says some "free trial" offers could be designed to take your money.

The FTC's Kerry O'Brien says they bought cases where you could return a product unused after ten days. But you didn't get it until after that date.

Last year, the FTC got $20 million back in refunds for customers of One Technologies.

The FTC says the company offered access to free credit scores but then charged customers monthly.

If you do order a free trial, know the length of the return period, when it begins and what you must do to make a return.

If there's still a problem, don't let the company tell you their instructions are easy to follow online.

"The company always has that excuse.. 'It was in the terms and conditions,'" said O'Brien.

But if consumers don't see it, it's not good enough and will mislead consumers."

If you follow the product return rules and get charged anyway, file a complaint with the FTC.