Most of what you pay on a cam site is right there on screen: token packs, private show rates, tip menus. A few other charges tend to surprise newcomers, though. None of them is a trick on the reputable sites. They’re just easy to miss if you don’t know to look.

1. Memberships that renew

Site-wide memberships, such as Chaturbate’s Supporter or Stripchat’s Ultimate, and some premium plans renew every month until you cancel. Same as a streaming service. Still, it’s the number one cause of “where did that charge come from?”

Before you subscribe, write down the renewal date and find the cancel button in your settings. If you only want to try it, cancel straight after subscribing. You’ll usually keep the perks until the end of the month you’ve paid for. See VIP and loyalty programs.

2. Fan clubs

A fan club is a monthly subscription to one performer. It’s often paid in tokens, and depending on the site it either renews automatically from your token balance or asks you each month. Find out which. See fan clubs explained.

3. Boxes already ticked at checkout

Some checkout pages arrive with an option already selected: a membership trial, a bonus pack, “auto-refill”. FTC rules say these have to be clearly shown, but they’re still easy to skim past.

The first time you buy, read the checkout page slowly and untick anything you didn’t choose.

4. “Free” trials that want your card

If a free trial of a premium membership asks for your card, it’ll almost always turn into a paid plan when the trial runs out.

Set a reminder for two days before it ends, or cancel right after you sign up.

5. Foreign transaction fees

A lot of cam platforms and their payment processors are based in Europe or elsewhere outside the US. Your card issuer may add a foreign transaction fee, usually up to 3% of each purchase. That’s your bank’s fee, not the site’s.

A card with no foreign transaction fees solves it.

6. Sales tax

Some states tax digital goods, so depending on where you live you might see a few percent added at checkout.

7. Currency conversion

If a site shows prices in euros or another currency, your bank converts them at its own rate. When you’re offered the choice, pay in US dollars. If you buy often, compare with your bank’s rate.

8. Auto-refill

Some sites will buy tokens for you automatically when your balance drops below a certain level. Handy, but it takes away your natural stopping point. Leave it off. See how to set a spending limit.

Things that look like fees but aren’t

A pre-authorization. A small temporary hold, often $1 or less, to check your card. It disappears within days.

Pending and posted amounts. The same charge can briefly appear twice, once as pending and once as final. You’re only charged once.

A different billing name. The name on your statement may not match the site. See what shows on your bank statement.

Before you click “Pay”

  1. Does the total match the pack you picked?
  2. Is anything ticked that you didn’t tick?
  3. Is the currency US dollars?
  4. Have you written down the billing name?
  5. If it’s a subscription, are the renewal date and price clear?

Already been charged for something you didn’t expect? Go through your receipts and your account’s billing page first, then contact support. Refund and chargeback policies explains what you can do, and how to cancel shows how to stop it happening again.