Stop Unwanted Charges from Cancelled Services
Everyone is familiar with the many frustrating issues concerning subscription services and most people have experienced unwanted charges from subscriptions they didn't intend to have or forgot to cancel. But what do you do when a canceled subscription continues to charge you? This recently troubling trend is more common than you may expect and has grown exponentially along with the massive increase in online subscriptions, especially in AI, Crypto, and gambling services.
Steps to Stop the Charges
Some subscription services design their cancellation processes to be intentionally convoluted. They might hide the cancellation option deep within their website, require multiple steps to confirm your cancellation, or simply ignore your requests altogether. To make matters worse, many of these companies don’t offer a phone number for customer support and fail to respond to emails, leaving you feeling helpless. However, ensure before you do anything that you follow their process, as silly as it may be, so that you can strongly and confidently declare that these charges are fraudulent.
Third-Party Payments & Hidden Subscriptions
Subscriptions managed through third-party services are billed and sometimes even controlled by an intermediary rather than the original service provider. This can make the cancellation process less straightforward and more difficult to manage.
Many mobile apps like dating apps and games offer subscriptions that are billed through Google Play or the Apple App Store rather than directly through their service. In addition streaming services, in an attempt to centralize, are increasingly offering third-party apps. For example, you may have a Shudder or Starz subscription through Amazon, or have your Hulu bundled into Disney+.
The first step is to determine which third-party service is handling your subscription. Check your bank statements or email receipts to see where the charges are coming from.
Google Play:
Open the Google Play Store app.
Tap on the profile icon and select "Payments & subscriptions."
Go to "Subscriptions" and find the subscription you want to cancel.
Follow the prompts to cancel the subscription.
Apple App Store:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on your Apple ID at the top, then select "Subscriptions."
Find the subscription you want to cancel and follow the prompts to cancel.
Amazon Prime:
Log into your Amazon account and go to "Account & Lists."
Select "Your Memberships & Subscriptions" or "Your Prime Video Channels."
Locate the subscription you wish to cancel and follow the instructions to cancel it.
Verify the Cancellation:
After canceling, ensure that you receive a confirmation email. It’s also a good idea to check your subscription status with the third-party service’s subscription management section to confirm that it has been successfully canceled.
Dealing with PayPal
If you’re unable to stop the charges through the subscription service, your next step should be to contact your bank or PayPal to dispute the transactions.
Cancel Recurring Payments: Log into your PayPal account, go to "Settings," and then "Payments." Click on "Manage pre-approved payments" to find and cancel the subscription.
Important Warning: If you checked out as a "guest" but paid using your PayPal, you won't be able to cancel the recurring bill from within your PayPal account. In this case, you'll need to call PayPal customer service for assistance.
Contact the Company Directly
Sometimes, the direct approach is the most effective. Write a strongly worded letter or email to the subscription service, informing them that you are aware of your legal rights regarding fraudulent charges. Here’s a template you can use:
Subject: Immediate Cancellation and Refund Request
Dear [Subscription],
I am writing to formally request the immediate cancellation of my subscription with [Subscription Service] and a refund of any charges made after my initial cancellation request on [List Dates].
Despite my previous attempts to cancel my subscription, I continue to be charged. This is unacceptable and constitutes unauthorized billing.
Please be advised that I am aware of my legal rights in matters of fraudulent charges and will pursue legal recourse if these charges continue. I expect a confirmation of my cancellation and a refund of [amount] within [reasonable time frame, e.g., 7 business days].
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Account Number]
Here is a more casual example of a successful email sent recently by a Credit Course Member who received excessive charges from an AI service.
Contacting Your Bank
If you’re dealing with a subscription service that continues to charge you despite your cancellation efforts and have tried the methods in this guide to no avail, the next step you should take is to contact your bank. Here’s how to approach this situation and when it might be necessary to cancel your card.
Document Everything: Before contacting your bank, gather all relevant documentation, including emails, screenshots of your cancellation attempts, and any correspondence with the subscription service.
Call Your Bank’s Customer Service: Use the customer service number on the back of your debit or credit card. Explain the situation clearly and provide them with the documentation you’ve gathered.
Request a Stop Payment Order: Ask the bank to place a stop payment order on future charges from the subscription service. Be aware that this may incur a small fee, and you might need to fill out some forms.
Dispute Unauthorized Charges: If the charges continue despite your cancellation attempts, formally dispute the unauthorized charges. Your bank will investigate the matter and may provide a provisional credit while the investigation is ongoing.
Fifth Third Bank: 1-800-972-3030
Chase Bank: 1-800-935-9935
PNC Bank: 1-888-762-2265
Bank of America: 1-800-432-1000
Wells Fargo: 1-800-869-3557
Citibank: 1-800-374-9700
M&T Bank: 1-800-724-2440
Axos Bank: 1-888-502-2967
When to Cancel Your Card
In some cases, persistent unauthorized charges might force you to take more drastic measures, such as canceling your card. Here are some scenarios where canceling your card might be necessary:
Repeated Unauthorized Charges: If the subscription service continues to charge your account despite multiple cancellation attempts and stop payment orders, it might be time to cancel your card to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
Unresponsive Subscription Service: When the subscription service is entirely unresponsive to your emails and cancellation requests, canceling your card can stop the charges immediately.
Fraudulent Activity: If you suspect that the subscription service is engaging in fraudulent activity, it’s best to cancel your card and request a new one from your bank to protect your financial information.
Can You Sue a Company For Charging You After Cancellation?
Yes, you can potentially sue a company for continuing to charge you after you've canceled their services. If the steps in this guide do not resolve the issue, you may explore consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction, which often safeguard against unfair or deceptive business practices. Filing a complaint with consumer protection agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S. or your state’s attorney general’s office, can sometimes prompt the company to take corrective action. If all else fails, consulting with a consumer rights attorney to discuss the possibility of legal action could be your next step. Legal recourse might be warranted if the company’s actions violate contractual terms or consumer protection laws, and a lawyer can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit if necessary.
Remember, you have rights as a consumer, and staying informed and proactive is the best way to safeguard your finances.
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