Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/09/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On May 9 2025 I fell victim to Dreamstimes deceptive practices, same as described by others before me. I was misled by the Download for Free invitation on a 7-day trial, with a condition to entered credit card information. Upon clicking an images download button it won't let me without upgrading the plan which turned out to be a paid one and immediately charged my account US$26.24 (based on conversion rate from local currency).I urge the authorized personnel to look more into this as it seems they've been misleading too many people with how their site works.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/09/2025

  The site states the  free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).
  Its quite a great deal considering our plan for only 5 images is $25. This plan gets you 30 for the same price!

  If you are not happy with the upgrade you made, you should reach out to us directly to discuss a refund
  
  
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/09/2025

   
  Complaint: 23307207
  
  I am rejecting this response because: at the first attempt to download anything they entrap you into upgrade the plan because you don't have "enough" credits.  There is little indication they will charge you for it, and you only find out from the credit card notification.  On their site it's buried in your account's invoices page, there was no indication at all of any charges outside that.  In my opinion and as evident in several negative review of this company it appears their design is intentional to scam people.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ** *******

  Business Response

  Date: 05/09/2025

   

  If you would like a refund, you will need to delete the image and not use it as it would no longer be licensed for use after the refund.

  The site tells you when buy the free trial, it is for COMP images. Comp images are watermarked images

  attached is the offer listed on the site. The word "comp" is blue and clickable which takes you to this:

   

  Q: What is a ************************* a comp (also demo or trial) is usually the draft initially presented to a client, showing the relative positions of text and images before the final layout is decided upon. A comp image is usually a high quality, large size preview which you can use for test purposes and/or present to your client prior to final approval. These test images may be watermarked for copyright protection reasons and you can easily obtain a clean version with any of our commercial plans once your design receives final approval. Free trial downloads may be watermarked test files. To use the images in final projects, you need to license them and update to a commercial plan. Once you update, you will be able to get the non-watermarked files from the free trial and also from the paid plan, 30 downloads in total, for the price of one plan. You will also be able to access any format available for all the files online - tiff, vector, raw, jpg.

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/08/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I attempted the one week trial and my card was immediately charged for $25. Their site claims that I downloaded an upgrade but I did no such thing!!! I tried to download ONE image and it wouldn't download, so I canceled the auto-renewal within minutes of providing my card's information to get the one week free. I DID NOT PURCHASE A SUBSCRIPTION ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE so why does it say I did? I never once pressed UPGRADE or BUY which were the only options to upgrade. I have NO IMAGES downloaded because their site wouldn't allow it. I am also going to have my card dispute the charge or lock my card if it posts, so this is just to figure out how to avoid the fraudulent payment posting if at all possible. I have NEVER experienced this deception with a credible business during a trial period. Seems like this is a recurring problem with them which lets me know this company does shady business. There is also no way to delete my account even though it says the Delete button is available for users who have not downloaded anything. That and this invoice claiming I paid for a subscription upgrade are utterly FALSE. Additionally there is nowhere for me to remove my card or my account which means I am unable to prevent this from happening next month.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/09/2025

  Hello, ********** has processed my refund and it is currently pending in my account. I don't want to cancel the complaint completely because they do shady business but I don't require anything else from them at this time.  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/09/2025

  My records indicate we have already issued a refund to this customer after they sent us an email. We have also removed the card and the account as requested. Therefore the issue has already been resolved.

   

  The free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/09/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/20/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The business is a scam! Please do not subscribe to their free trial as they will take your money & force you to pay! I havent received my refund despite submitting my complaint. Please refund me my due amount as I am a broke college student. Stop scamming people please.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/21/2025

  My records indicate you upgraded the subscription to get the images without watermarks.
  The free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).
  Its quite a great deal considering our plan for only 5 images is $25. This plan gets you 30 for the same price!
  If you prefer a refund, you would need to delete the images you downloaded and confirm not using them as the license would be removed once refunded.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/21/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ***

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/19/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On the afternoon of Saturday April 19th, 2025 I was looking for 'free to use' images with ****** Image search for overhead and aerial photos of houses and large subdivisions. I seen some I was interested in on a website named "Dreamstime". I clicked on the website, it led me to their Home Page where there was a search box that I entered in the aforementioned types of photos I wanted. Many pages of results came up that all had a "[Download Symbo] + FREE with Trial" Button that lit up when you hovered over with the computer mouse on ALL or ANY of them. I seen the exact pic that I wanted so I signed up for a FREE Trial for 7 days that was to consist of 15 credits for licensing and the downloading pics for the use there of with consent of the copyright owner, supposedly. It the time of entering in my Credit Card info and clicking on the "Start FREE Trial" Button, my phone received a text from my bank that was meant to inform me of a "Card Not Present Purchase" of $1.00 for Credit Card authorization which I kind of expected. There was a notification window that the Free Trial was to end on April 26th at which time I will be charged for a subscription to their photo use licensing business. BUT, after clicking on the exact pic that I wanted, and I had also seen before signing up for the "FREE Trial" in which that exact photo had the "Download with FREE Trial" sign that lit up, I received another text message from my bank that said my card was Charged another "Card Not Present" $24 by **************** again. I was not happy and notified my bank which was another hour or so of my life of the CS agent questioning my validity of my faud accusation which I half expected also, and that is why I took a video of everything going on **********'s website that I stated above using a different laptop. I also seen that the requested remedy for anyone wanting to file a complaint with the BBB is to call a person at Dreamstime, but to me it is a clear case of a BAIT and SWITCH scheme.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/21/2025

  My records indicate you upgraded the subscription to get the images without watermarks.

  The free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).
  Its quite a great deal considering our plan for only 5 images is $25. This plan gets you 30 for the same price!
  

  If you prefer a refund, you would need to delete the images you downloaded and confirm not using them as the license would be removed once refunded.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/21/2025

  In the attachment(s) section above I have uplaoded 2 files of which both are screenshots of the ONLY TWO pictures I clicked on 'download' after seeing them on the webite in question - "Dreamstime.com". Both were clicked on and downloaded AFTER I chosen to start a "FREE TRIAL". Everything went as planned as I chose the first picture. As soon I located the second picture and clicked to download, in seconds rights after I received a text alert of my credit card being charged. Both of the ONLY 2 pictures that I wanted and clicked on were available on the ****** Image search with a link on each one that showed and read "FREE TRIAL" with a download symbol next to the text when you hovered a mouse pointer over it. When I tried to search again they gone. But today, 2 days later (today, 4/21/2025) I figured out how to catch these people in the act for the deceptive business practices that so greatly rely upon to cheat people out of money. You see, I only had to use a different PC on a different internet provider to do the same search again and sreenshot the exact two pictures that the business owner claims that I should have known that were watermarked and not availabile for the 'free trial'. The same pages and same links with the exact same photos in which both do not have a clearly seen watermark were both being used to bait people into signing up for the free trial. Every pic they have is on ****** Images in the search results with a "Free Trial" monicker button on them. Every other company that is honest and offers a stock photo licensing for use business has a Very Easy To SEE watermark. AGAIN the screenshots I sent today with this text write up are the exact same ones I signed up for because of "FREE TRIAL" links next to them.

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/21/2025

   
  Complaint: 23227110
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Sent screenshots using another person's computer of their decpetive business practices. The screenshots I uploaded today are of the only 2 photos I clicked on after signing up for "FREE TRIAL" as links depict next to each photo. I couldn't get them with my computer because it's part of their scam so I couldn't prove anything after the fact.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/21/2025

  Also, there is no way to chose to get a refund anywhere in the dreamstime.com website, not anywhere in my account settings, or pay account, or puchased items options. None.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2025

  In order to receive a refund, you would need to confirm that you have deleted the images that was downloaded and confirm you are not using it. Once refunded, you would no longer hold the license to use the image.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/01/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/13/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  April 12, 2025 I signed up for a 7-day free trial after finding an image on ********** that I wanted. The 7-day free trial claims you get 15 credits to download images. The image I wanted was only 3 credits. When I tried to download, a message popped up that I had to renew my subscription in order to download the free image with my 7-day free trial. I hit the download button and was immediately charged $25 for a one-month premium subscription alongside the so-called free trial. My account now shows that I have two subscriptions. There is no way to cancel the free trial online. I worry that they will try to charge me more in a week. They give phone numbers to call to cancel, but I am not currently in the **. Im in the ** so I can't call the toll-free number.The wording of the free trial seems fraudulent to me. There is no free trial that you can actually download anything. They immediately sign you up for another subscription and charge as soon as you try to download an image that just a moment previous said would cost 3 credits from your 15 free credits.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/14/2025

  The free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).
  Its quite a great deal considering our plan for only 5 images is $25. This plan gets you 30 for the same price!

   

  If we you want to request a refund, we would need to remove the image you downloaded and you would not have the license to use it.

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/15/2025

   
  Complaint: 23198286
  
  I am rejecting this response because: the terms of the "free trial" are not made clear at the time of signing up. They use deceptive practices to lure people in thinking they will be able to get 15 credits with the "7 day free trial". Then, even if you have signed up online, you can't unsubscribe online. When I went to download an image with what I thought were 15 credits, I was immediately "upgraded" to a paid subscription and charged $25 for an image that cost 3 credits. The terms of the "free trial" need to be made crystal clear BEFORE signing up.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2025

  My records indicate that this customer was already refunded on April 15 when she contacted us. This case should be closed

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/10/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The ************* website advertises a free trial in which you can download a certain number of pictures for free before the monthly payment begins. This is not the case. Once you give them your credit card information and sign up for the free trial, the site demands a $23 dollar payment to download any pictures and then when you opt out of the payment it shuts you out of your account so you are unable to make sure they won't charge you for recurring monthly payment.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/11/2025

  This account is not shut out and you can access it any time.

  In regards to the free trial, it does state the trial is for watermarked images unless you upgrade.

  The free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).
  Its quite a great deal considering our plan for only 5 images is $25. This plan gets you 30 for the same price!
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/07/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On March 2, 2025 I signed up for a free 7 day trial with **********, an online service which allows subscribers to download photos. The terms I agreed to were that they would not charge my credit card until March 9, 2025 and I could cancel before then if I did not wish to subscribe. I cancelled my free trial on March 5, 2025. This business processed a $25 fee to my credit card on March 2 as soon as they got my credit card number even though nothing should have been charged until March 9 unless I cancelled. They processed a $1 charge and then $24 charge immediately on March 2. I reached out to this business via email and they responded by stating some legal sounding nonsense about how I agreed to the $25 fee, which, of course, I did not. I read their agreement in detail before giving my credit card information, and they are now attempting to change the terms. I asked for a refund and they refused. It seems to me that this company had no intention of offering a free 7 day trial as they charged my credit card immediately. Please investigate this matter so that I and others can be protected.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/10/2025

  My records indicate you upgraded the subscription.
  The free trial includes 15 high resolution watermarked files for testing purposes.
  You can cancel before the week is up and not be charged or you can upgrade for a charge and receive the files without watermarks ( the 15 for free and the 15 you paid for).
  Its quite a great deal considering our plan for only 5 images is $25. This plan gets you 30 for the same price!
  

  We will issue a refund, but you should delete the images you downloaded as they will no longer be licensed for use.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/14/2025

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  I read the response from the business who was unwilling to refund my money until the BBB got involved.  Again, they charged me as soon as they received my credit card information, BEFORE the 7 day trial was up.  I never agreed to pay them an upgraded package amount as they are now claiming.  They changed the terms and I would like their business record to reflect that for any future complaints that arise.

  Thank you for the work you do to protect consumers.  

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/19/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am being charged $25 per month by what is described in the transaction "DREAMSTIMECOM". I am not sure where this monthly charge originated.And not sure how to stop ***** years end this will have cost me $25 * 12 = $300 - for nothing!Please warn consumers of this scam!Thank you Here is the transaction:11/20 11/20 DREAMSTIME.COM ************* *****

  Business Response

  Date: 12/19/2024

  we located your account under a different email that you wrote here.

  There was a subscription started by free trial in October. Since this has not been used, we were able to issue refunds for the 3 charges that were made.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/19/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  Thank you for your help in this regard.
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** E *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/06/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This business gave NO notice about revoking my "already purchased" credits when I cancelled my monthly subscription. I was charged in August $137 and September $137 before cancelling. 5 Credits per month were due to me but the business took them away when I cancelled without informing me at the time I made the cancelation. This is unethical business practice, being paid $274 for absolutely nothing in return. **************** was rude and argumentative, when they could have easily just given me a refund or my 10 credits - my account is still active. How easy this business could have done the right thing. I can see by the other responses the business gave to other people's concerns, that they have zero integrity or "good will". I request a refund of $274 for the TWO unused months worth of credits I was charged for.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/09/2024

  You had a time sensitive subscription and the terms state that the downloads only stay active while the subscription is active.

  I have now extended the subscription for 30 days so you can use your remaining downloads.

  After this time, you would need to activate the subscription to keep those active if you have not used them all by then.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/09/2024

   
  Complaint: 22650719
  
  I am rejecting this response because: REFUND 2 MONTHS OF UN-USED CREDITS SINCE ZERO INFO WAS GIVEN AT TIME OF CANCELATION. DO BETTER TO INFORM CUSTOMERS AT CANCELLATION.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *********

  Business Response

  Date: 12/10/2024

  No problem. I thought you wanted the downloads. Since they were not used, we have now refunded the last 2 charges. Please allow your bank 2-10 business days to show the refunds.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/02/2024

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I just subscribed few minutes ago to their free 7 days trial plan but received a message informing me that I have been charged 22 USD a paid plan. This is an unauthorized transaction and I decided to request a refund on their website but the website is made a way to misguide user and there is no cancellation option. I had to chance the credit card info for a **** debit card that can not be charged without provisionning it to avoid any future charge. I am no more interested in using and dealing with this company anymore. When making a search to see if there is any other complaints againt them, I found many complaint on BBB and decided to also share my experience just to avoid other people get cheated by them.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/04/2024

  You can cancel any time from your account on the payment management page.

  For this customer, we have cancelled and refunded as well as removed the card on file.