Resources
Protect Yourself
How to dispute charges, file complaints, find free alternatives, and take back control of your data.
How to dispute unauthorized charges
If you've been charged by a "free" tool that auto-converted to a paid subscription, you have options. Most banks will issue chargebacks for subscriptions you didn't knowingly consent to.
- Call your bank or credit card company. Tell them you're disputing an unauthorized recurring charge. Use the words "I did not consent to this subscription." Most banks will immediately stop future charges and begin the chargeback process.
- Document everything. Screenshot the misleading pricing page, the hidden trial terms, the broken cancel button. Take screenshots of any marketing that said "free." This evidence strengthens your dispute.
- File a complaint with the CFPB. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau handles complaints about unauthorized charges. Companies are legally required to respond.
- Report to the FTC. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to build cases against companies with patterns of deceptive practices.
- Contact your state Attorney General. Find yours at naag.org/find-my-ag. State AGs have enforcement power over businesses operating in their state.
Where to file complaints
| Organization | What they handle | Link |
|---|---|---|
| CFPB | Unauthorized financial charges | File complaint |
| FTC | Deceptive business practices, fraud | Report fraud |
| BBB | Business complaints (public record) | File complaint |
| State AG | Consumer protection enforcement | Find your AG |
| Apple App Store | Subscription fraud in iOS apps | Report a problem |
| Google Play | Subscription fraud in Android apps | Request refund |
Free alternatives directory
For every predatory tool, there's a free open-source alternative. These are the ones we've verified.
| Category | Open-source alternatives | nah tool |
|---|---|---|
| QR codes | qr-code-styling | nah.tools/qr |
| PDF tools | Stirling-PDF, PDF24, pdf-lib | nah.tools/pdf |
| Resumes | Reactive Resume, OpenResume | nah.tools/resume |
| Background removal | rembg, @imgly/background-removal-js | nah.tools/photo |
| Link shorteners | YOURLS, LittleLink | nah.tools/links |
| Data broker removal | CA DROP platform, EasyOptOuts ($20/yr) | nah.tools/remove |
| Invoices | pdfmake, Invoice Ninja | nah.tools/invoice |
Data broker opt-out quick reference
These 13 brokers cover the vast majority of your online exposure. Start here.
| Broker | Method | Opt-out link |
|---|---|---|
| Spokeo | Web form + email verification | Opt out |
| BeenVerified | Web form + email verification | Opt out |
| Whitepages | Web form + phone verification | Opt out |
| Intelius | Web form (covers 18+ subsidiaries) | Opt out |
| TruePeopleSearch | Web form + human verification | Opt out |
| Radaris | Web form | Opt out |
| MyLife | Email request | Privacy policy |
| Acxiom | Web form | Opt out |
| LexisNexis | Web form + identity verification | Opt out |
| FastPeopleSearch | Web form | Opt out |
| PeopleFinder | Web form | Opt out |
| USSearch | Web form | Opt out |
| Pipl | Email request | Privacy policy |
California residents: use the DROP platform to submit a single deletion request covering all 543+ registered brokers. Or use nah.tools/remove to generate pre-filled opt-out emails for the brokers above.
Read the full data broker investigation for more context on how these companies operate.
Credit and identity protection
Freezing your credit is free, takes about 10 minutes per bureau, and prevents unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name. It does not affect your credit score.
Get your free annual credit report (the only site authorized by federal law)
identitytheft.gov — FTC's recovery plan if your identity has been stolen
Government form sources
Never fill out government forms on third-party websites. These are the official sources:
IRS.gov — All federal tax forms (W-4, 1099, W-9, etc.)
USCIS.gov — Immigration forms
USA.gov — DMV and motor vehicle forms by state
USCourts.gov — Federal court forms
Read the PDF tools investigation for details on how companies like PDFFiller rank above these sites and charge $96/year for forms that are free.