Guide · Subscriptions · October 2026
How to cancel a subscription you never agreed to
Small monthly charges are easy to miss. Many come from a cheap trial that quietly turns into a subscription. Here's how to stop them and get your money back.
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Where to cancel
PayPal
Settings, Payments, Manage automatic payments. Choose the business and cancel it so it shows Inactive.
Credit or debit card
Call your card issuer, ask them to block the merchant, dispute past charges, and consider a new card number.
iPhone
Settings, tap your name, Subscriptions, choose the app, Cancel. Refunds go through reportaproblem.apple.com.
Android
Google Play, profile, Payments and subscriptions, Subscriptions, choose the app, Cancel.
Getting a refund
- Step 1
Cancel at the source
Use the list above. Deleting an app or ignoring emails does not stop billing.
- Step 2
Ask the company for a refund in writing
Say clearly that you did not knowingly agree to a recurring charge. Keep every reply.
- Step 3
Dispute with PayPal or your bank
Open a dispute for each charge. On PayPal, escalate to a claim if the company refuses or ignores you.
- Step 4
Report it
File with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with the BBB. Patterns of complaints are how regulators find repeat offenders.
A real example: Finelo
A GACS team member was charged by the trading-education app Finelo through PayPal for six months without knowing it. We wrote up the exact steps, plus a copy-paste dispute letter. Update, 3 October 2026: after a PayPal dispute referencing that guide, all six charges are being processed and refunded.
Read the Finelo guideFrequently asked questions
How do I find out who is charging me every month?
Look at the payment name on your bank or card statement and in PayPal Activity. In PayPal, Settings then Payments then Manage automatic payments lists every business allowed to charge you. On iPhone check Settings, your name, Subscriptions. On Android check Google Play, Payments and subscriptions.
Is a charge unauthorized if I clicked agree on a trial?
Legally that depends on how clearly the renewal was shown to you. In the US the FTC expects clear disclosure of automatic renewals, your consent, and an easy way to cancel. If it was hidden or you never agreed, say so in your dispute.
Will cancelling refund what I already paid?
No. Cancelling only stops future charges. You have to ask for a refund separately, from the company first, then through PayPal or your bank if they refuse.
How long do I have to dispute a charge?
PayPal allows 180 days from the payment. Card chargebacks are usually 60 to 120 days from the statement date. Act quickly, but ask your bank even about older charges.
Should I get a new card number?
If you don't recognise the company at all, yes. A new card number stops anyone who has the old one from charging it again.
Free dispute letter & evidence checklist
Copy the letter, fill in the brackets, and send it to your bank or card issuer. Not legal advice.
- Screenshots of every charge (statement lines with dates and amounts)
- Cancellation confirmation or proof you tried to cancel
- All emails / chats with the merchant (dated)
- The ad, website page or message that misled you
- Report receipts: FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) and, for losses, FBI IC3 (ic3.gov)
- PayPal: open the dispute in the Resolution Center within 180 days of payment
Show the dispute letter template
Subject: Dispute of unauthorized / unwanted charge To: [Bank or card issuer] Dispute Department Cardholder: [Full name] Card / account ending: [last 4 digits] I am disputing the following charge(s): - Merchant: [name] - Date(s): [date] - Amount(s): [amount] Reason: [I did not authorize this charge / I cancelled before renewal / I was deceived about what I was buying]. I contacted the merchant on [date] by [email/chat] and [they refused / did not respond]. Copies are attached. Please reverse the charge(s), issue a provisional credit while you investigate, and block future charges from this merchant. Attached evidence: receipts, screenshots, cancellation confirmation, merchant correspondence. Signed: [Name] Date: [date]
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Authoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraudConsumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
UK Report FraudUK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreCanada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.