Free Trial Charged After Cancelling: What to Do

You cancelled the trial, or thought you did, and got charged anyway. Act fast: dispute windows are short.

Steps

1. Gather proof today: cancellation confirmation email or screenshot, the signup page terms, and the statement line. Sites change pages, so screenshot now.
2. Ask the merchant for a refund in writing using the template below. Many refund quickly to avoid chargebacks.
3. Dispute with your card issuer if they refuse or ignore you for about 7–10 days. Choose "cancelled recurring transaction" or "billing error". Card networks require merchants to make cancellation possible, and recurring charges after cancellation are a standard dispute reason.
4. Block future charges: ask your bank to stop payments to that merchant, or request a new card number if it's a sketchy site.
5. Report deceptive trials at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. Many states (e.g. California's Automatic Renewal Law) require clear disclosure and easy cancellation.

Watch for recovery scams: no legit "refund agent" will DM you offering to get your money back for a fee.

Free template

Subject: Refund request – charged after trial cancellation ([account email])

Hello,

I signed up for a free trial on [date] under [account email] and cancelled on [date] (confirmation attached). On [date], I was charged $[amount] anyway.

Please refund $[amount] to my original payment method and confirm that my subscription is fully cancelled with no further charges. I'd appreciate a reply within 7 days.

If this isn't resolved by [date], I will dispute the charge with my card issuer as a recurring charge after cancellation.

Thank you,
[Name]

General information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state, country and contract; check your agreement and card issuer's terms.