Consumer Alert: The MyIQ.com Hidden Subscription Trap
Online intelligence tests under the name MyIQ (or myiq.com) have drawn widespread consumer complaints over deceptive billing practices. What presents itself as a cheap, fun quiz frequently results in unexpected, recurring monthly charges.
How the Operation Works
- The Low-Cost Bait: Users take a lengthy online IQ test advertised on social media or search engines.
- The Result Paywall: Upon completion, the site requests a nominal, one-off fee (typically £1.00, €0.99, or $1.00) to view the score.
- The Fine-Print Trap: By paying the small fee, users are quietly enrolled into a trial that automatically converts into an expensive auto-renewing subscription.
- The Unexpected Charges: Shortly after, recurring fees ranging from €15 to $29.99 per month are deducted without further authorization or clear receipt notices.
Key Red Flags
- Deceptive Dark Patterns: Terms explaining the recurring subscription are buried in small font or pre-checked agreement boxes during checkout.
- Double Billing: Numerous victims report seeing immediate duplicate charges or secondary trial fees on their account statements.
- Refusal of Refunds: Customer support routinely denies refund requests, citing company policy on completed digital services or trial periods.
- Difficult Cancellation: The direct cancellation route is often obfuscated or relies on automated chatbots designed to retain subscribers.
⚠️ Warning & Steps to Take Immediately
Important: If you have used MyIQ or entered payment details on their platform recently, check your bank account statements straight away.
- Contact Your Bank or Card Provider: Request an immediate block on future recurring charges from MyIQ and raise a chargeback or dispute for unauthorized subscription fees.
- Cancel the Subscription: Attempt cancellation directly via the account settings on
myiq.comor through their customer portal, ensuring you save screenshots or confirmation emails as proof. - Check Digital Wallets: If paid via Apple Pay, Google Play, or PayPal, inspect your active recurring payments in the respective app settings and cancel any linked subscriptions.
- Report the Domain: File a report with consumer protection bodies (such as Action Fraud or the FTC) to help flag deceptive billing behavior.
Leave a Reply