Updated February 2026 · 9 min read
Another month, another mystery charge on your credit card statement. Whether it's a gym membership you never use, a streaming service you forgot about, or a sneaky auto-renewal — recurring credit card charges add up fast.
The good news: credit cards offer the strongest consumer protections of any payment method. Here's exactly how to stop unwanted recurring charges, step by step.
🔍 Not sure what's charging your card? Upload your credit card statement to Just Cancel — we'll identify every recurring charge and give you direct cancel links. $5 one-time, takes 30 seconds.
Always try to cancel at the source first. This keeps your account in good standing and avoids potential collections issues.
Many companies deliberately hide the cancel button. Check our cancel guides for 135+ services — we've mapped the exact steps for each one.
After canceling, go back and delete your payment method from the account. Some companies will attempt to charge your card even after cancellation (especially if you later log back in and "reactivate").
If the site won't let you remove your card, replace it with a virtual card number set to a $0 limit.
If a company charged you after you canceled, or you never authorized the charge, you can dispute it with your credit card company. This is called a chargeback, and it's one of the most powerful consumer protections available.
| Issuer | How to Dispute | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | App → "Dispute transaction" or call 1-800-935-9935 | 60 days |
| Amex | App → "Dispute charge" or call 1-800-528-4800 | 60 days |
| Citi | Online → "Dispute a charge" or call 1-800-950-5114 | 60 days |
| Capital One | App → tap transaction → "Report a problem" | 60 days |
| Discover | Online or call 1-800-347-2683 | 60 days |
| Apple Card | Wallet app → tap transaction → "Dispute Charge" | 60 days |
Key protection: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), you have 60 days from the statement date to dispute unauthorized charges. Your issuer must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve within 90 days. During the investigation, you don't have to pay the disputed amount.
Some credit card issuers let you block specific merchants from charging your card. This is different from a chargeback — it prevents future charges rather than reversing past ones.
The nuclear option: ask your issuer for a new card number. This instantly breaks every recurring charge on the old number.
Warning: Visa and Mastercard have "Account Updater" services that automatically share your new card number with merchants. Some charges may follow you to the new card. A merchant block (Method 4) is more reliable.
| Protection | Credit Card | Debit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Dispute window | 60 days (FCBA) | 60 days (Reg E) |
| Money at risk | Issuer's money (credit line) | Your money (bank balance) |
| Provisional credit | Immediate in most cases | Up to 10 business days |
| Max liability | $50 (often $0) | $50-$500 depending on timing |
Bottom line: Always use a credit card for subscriptions if possible. If an unauthorized charge hits your debit card, that money leaves your bank account immediately. With a credit card, the issuer fronts the money and you dispute at your leisure. Read more in our debit card recurring payments guide.
Before you can stop unwanted charges, you need to find them. Most people have 5-12 active subscriptions but can only name 3-4 off the top of their head.
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Some companies are notorious for making cancellation difficult. If you've tried everything and charges keep appearing:
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