Guides

Stop free-trial abuse

Keep each person to one free trial, even when they change email addresses.

Trial cycling is when one person creates account after account to keep using a trial or free credits. isCredible remembers devices, look-alike email addresses, cards and networks it has seen on your account, so a returning person is recognised even with a new email address.

When to call#

Call the Verify API when a trial starts, which is usually at signup, and again when a card is added if your trial asks for one.

const result = await iscredible.verify({
  email: user.email,
  userId: user.id,
  ip: req.ip,
  deviceId: body.deviceId,
  paymentFingerprint: card.fingerprint, // e.g. Stripe's card.fingerprint, never the card number
  accountCreation: true
});

Payment fingerprints

Send the fingerprint your payment processor gives you (for Stripe, payment_method.card.fingerprint). Never send card numbers.

Suggested handling#

Decision	Suggested action
APPROVE	Start the trial
REVIEW	Start a shorter trial, or require a card or phone check first
DENY	Offer the paid plan instead of a trial