Shoppers worried about hidden fees search for a clear refund policy comparison before handing over a credit card. Our guide puts Cloaked's 14-day free trial, Incogni's 30-day money-back promise, and DeleteMe's first-report refund side-by-side so you can make the best choice.
Why Refund & Trial Policies Matter in Data-Removal Services
Before diving into specific policies, it's worth understanding the difference between free trials and money-back guarantees and why they matter for reducing buyer risk.
A free trial, like Cloaked's 14-day offering, lets you test every feature without paying upfront. You can generate aliases, monitor leaks, and even enjoy $1 million insurance coverage before entering any payment details. Meanwhile, money-back guarantees require payment first but promise a full refund within 30 days if you're unsatisfied.
The FTC's new "Click-to-Cancel" rule makes these distinctions even more important. The regulation requires businesses to provide a simple cancellation mechanism that's as easy as the original signup process, protecting consumers from subscription traps.
Side-by-Side Refund & Trial Matrix (Cloaked vs Incogni vs DeleteMe)
Here's your at-a-glance comparison of cancellation windows, refund conditions, and support response times:
For a deeper comparison of these services' features and coverage, check out our comprehensive Cloaked vs DeleteMe vs Incogni comparison.
How to Cancel or Refund CloakedStep-by-Step
Cloaked's approach centers on their 14-day free trial, which means you can explore all features without risk. Here's how to manage your subscription across different payment platforms.
The company's refund policy states that all charges are final unless otherwise determined. However, users in the European Economic Area may have additional rights to cancel within 14 days, though activating the service may waive this right.
For detailed pricing options and features included in each plan, visit Cloaked's plans page.
Stripe, App Store, Google Play, PayPalWhat Button Cancels What?
Each payment processor requires different steps for cancellation:
For Stripe purchases: Access your Cloaked Desktop Dashboard and navigate to account settings to cancel directly.
For App Store users: Open your iPhone Settings app, tap your Apple ID, select Subscriptions, and cancel Cloaked from there.
For Google Play Store: Access Google Play, tap your profile icon, select Payments & Subscriptions, then cancel your Cloaked subscription.
For PayPal subscribers: Log into PayPal, navigate to Settings, select Payments, then Manage Automatic Payments to cancel.
Claiming Incognis 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Incogni provides a straightforward 30-day money-back guarantee that gives you a full month to evaluate their service. Their Terms of Service explicitly state: "If You choose not to use the Incogni Service anymore, We guarantee You a right to claim a refund within 30 days following your purchase."
To request a refund, simply contact [email protected]. Their customer support team promises a response within 24 hours. Important note: you're allowed one refund under the 30-day guarantee.
One limitation to consider: Incogni cannot grant refunds for subscriptions purchased through resellers other than Paddle. This makes direct purchases from their website the safest option for refund eligibility.
DeleteMe: Risk-Free Until Your First Privacy Report
DeleteMe takes a different approach with their refund policy. You can request a full refund with no questions asked before your first Privacy Report is complete, typically about 7 days after signup.
After your first report arrives, DeleteMe still offers flexibility with prorated refunds based on the time remaining in your subscription. This means you're never locked into a full year if the service doesn't meet your needs.
All DeleteMe subscriptions automatically renew, so mark your calendar if you're testing the service. For a detailed analysis of DeleteMe's features and limitations, see our DeleteMe review.
FTC "Click-to-Cancel" Rule & Your Rights
The FTC's amended Negative Option Rule brings important protections for subscription services. The rule requires companies to disclose all material terms before obtaining billing information and obtain proof of consent before charging.
Most importantly, the rule mandates a simple cancellation mechanism, hence the "Click-to-Cancel" nickname. If you signed up online, you must be able to cancel online with equal ease.
The updated Negative Option Rule applies to all media types, including internet, telephone, and in-person transactions, ensuring consistent consumer protection across platforms.
Which 'Risk-Free' Path Is Safest? Expert Takeaways
After analyzing the policies, here's how each service stacks up for minimizing buyer risk:
Longest trial period: Incogni's 30-day guarantee gives you the most time to evaluate the service thoroughly.
True risk-free option: Cloaked's 14-day trial requires no payment upfront, eliminating financial risk entirely.
Flexible refund terms: DeleteMe offers both full refunds (before first report) and prorated refunds afterward, providing ongoing flexibility.
For comprehensive privacy protection beyond just data removal, explore our detailed comparison of all three services.
Final Thoughts: Cancel-Friendly Privacy Starts with Transparency
When choosing a privacy service, refund policies reveal a company's confidence in their product. Cloaked's free trial model stands out by letting you experience everything, from unlimited aliases to identity theft insurance, without payment risk.
While Incogni offers 30 days and DeleteMe provides flexibility with prorated refunds, Cloaked's approach eliminates the refund process entirely during the trial period. You can test all features across different payment platforms and cancel with a few clicks if it's not the right fit.
Ready to protect your privacy without commitment? Start your risk-free journey with Cloaked's plans today.
Cloaked — Trials, Refunds & FTC Click-to-Cancel FAQs (2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
A free trial lets you try a service without upfront payment and cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges. A money-back guarantee requires purchase first, then offers a refund if you cancel within a set period (e.g., 30 days). Both reduce buyer risk, but trials like
Cloaked’s 14-day free trial eliminate any initial payment requirement.
You can cancel through the
Cloaked dashboard (for Stripe payments), Apple ID > Subscriptions on iOS, Google Play > Payments & Subscriptions on Android, or PayPal’s Manage Automatic Payments. Cloaked offers a
14-day free trial — cancel before day 14 to avoid charges. For the latest plan details, visit
cloaked.com/plans.
With Incogni, you pay at checkout and can request a full refund within 30 days if unsatisfied. Contact support to start the refund — they aim to respond within 24 hours. Refunds are limited to one per account, and purchases made via resellers (other than Paddle) aren’t eligible for refunds.
DeleteMe provides a full refund before your first Privacy Report is delivered (typically within the first week). After the report is issued, prorated refunds apply based on the unused term. Subscriptions auto-renew, so set reminders if you’re only testing the service.
The FTC’s amended Negative Option Rule guarantees that if you sign up online, you must be able to cancel online with equal ease. Companies must clearly disclose key terms before collecting billing info and obtain explicit consent before charging you. The rule applies across online, phone, and in-person sales channels.
Cloaked’s 14-day free trial offers zero upfront cost — you’re never charged unless you continue past the trial. Incogni provides the longest evaluation period with a 30-day refund, but requires payment first. DeleteMe allows a full refund before the first report, balancing flexibility with a short evaluation period.
