Westpac says hidden subscription costs set Kiwis back 25 million of dollars a year - and is urging people to read online shopping fine print

The bank says it's protected 20-thousand customers from subscription traps in the past three months.

Massey University's Doctor Claire Matthews says ongoing payments can be buried in the fine print - and most consumers don't realise they've agreed to them.

She says depending on what people use cards for, they may not even notice a small regular payment leaving their account.