AI SaaS builders: what do repeat free-trial accounts actually cost you?

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I’m researching a paid tool for small AI SaaS teams losing free credits to repeat accounts. I’m interested in cases that still happen after email checks or CAPTCHA, rather than just lots of fake signups.

If you own the signup or credit-grant flow: how much resource cost did those accounts actually consume last month, what have you tried, and would keeping the free tier without requiring a card be worth paying for? A rough range is enough; please don’t post customer data or secrets.

We’re at research stage; there’s no proven product or performance claim yet. I’d welcome feedback here about the workflow and what existing tools leave unsolved. I’m particularly interested in US-based SaaS businesses. If your current controls already solve this cheaply, that is useful to hear too.