Have you ever wanted to try sign up for a free trial, but not want to give out your credit card information? Here is a tip that allows me to sign up for free trials without fearing they may charge my card if I cancel.

I purchase the smallest denomination prepaid Visa or Master Debit/Gift Card I can. I use the gift card, but leave about $5.50 on the card. I then use this Visa/Mastercard to sign up for free trials – if I decide to keep the trial – I just update the credit card before the trial expiration is up.

If I don’t want the product/service, I can cancel it — without fear of being charged. About 90% of the free trial programs I have used have accepted a prepaid Visa giftcard. Just be sure that it has a valid Visa or Mastercard number – Visa should start with 4 and Mastercard should start with 5. It should have a CVV code (three digit code on back of the card). Also, try to buy a card with a very long expiration date.

Do you have any other tips for signing up for free trials?