How to Get a Refund for Unwanted Subscription Charges (2026 Guide)
Americans lose an average of $133/month on forgotten subscriptions. Here's exactly how to get that money back — with copy-paste email templates, phone scripts, and step-by-step chargeback instructions.
When You're Eligible for a Refund
You have a strong case for a refund if any of these apply:
- You were charged after canceling. This is the most common scenario. If you have cancellation confirmation, you're almost guaranteed a refund.
- Free trial auto-converted to paid. Under the FTC's Click-to-Cancel rule, companies must get your explicit consent before charging.
- Price increased without notice. Most states require advance notice of price changes.
- Service wasn't as described. If what you received didn't match what was advertised.
- You forgot about a subscription. While not guaranteed, many companies offer goodwill refunds, especially for the most recent charge.
- Unauthorized charge. Someone signed you up without permission, or you never agreed to recurring billing.
Pro tip: Even if you don't think you qualify, always ask. Many companies have generous refund policies they don't advertise. The worst they can say is no.
Step 1: Contact the Company Directly
Always start here. It's the fastest path to a refund and preserves your chargeback rights as a backup.
Before You Contact Them, Gather:
- Your account email and username
- The exact charge amount and date (check your bank statement)
- Any cancellation confirmation emails or screenshots
- The subscription start date
Not sure what subscriptions are charging you? Upload your bank statement to JustCancel to get a complete list with amounts and cancel links in seconds.
Email Template (Copy & Paste)
Send this to the company's support email. Modify the bracketed sections:
Subject: Refund Request — Account [YOUR EMAIL]
Hi,
I'm writing to request a refund for a charge of $[AMOUNT] on [DATE] for [SERVICE NAME].
[Choose one reason:]
- I canceled my subscription on [CANCEL DATE] but was charged again.
- My free trial auto-converted to a paid subscription without clear notification.
- I was not aware this subscription was still active and would like a refund for the most recent charge(s).
Please process a full refund to my original payment method and confirm that my subscription has been canceled and no further charges will occur.
If this isn't resolved within 7 business days, I will file a dispute with my bank and a complaint with the FTC.
Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
Why this works: It's polite but firm, includes all relevant details, and mentions escalation. Companies prioritize these requests because chargebacks cost them 2–3x the refund amount in fees.
Phone Script That Works
If email doesn't get results within 48 hours, call. Phone agents have more refund authority than email support.
Opening: "Hi, I'm calling about an unwanted charge on my account. I'd like to request a refund."
If they say no: "I understand. Could you transfer me to a supervisor or someone with authority to process refunds?"
If supervisor says no: "I appreciate your help. If a refund isn't possible, I'll need to file a chargeback with my bank and report this to the FTC. Is there anything else you can do before I go that route?"
Magic words: "I'd like to file a complaint" — this often triggers a retention offer or immediate refund.
Key tips: Stay calm and polite. Write down the agent's name and any reference numbers. Ask for email confirmation of everything discussed.
Step 2: File a Chargeback With Your Bank
If the company refuses a refund, your bank can reverse the charge. This is your strongest tool.
How Chargebacks Work
- Call your bank or use their app. Most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Citi, Wells Fargo, Capital One) let you dispute charges in their mobile app.
- Select the charge and choose "Dispute this transaction."
- Reason code: Select "Recurring charge after cancellation" or "Did not authorize."
- Provide evidence: Upload your cancellation confirmation, emails to the company, and screenshots.
- Wait 30–90 days. Your bank will investigate and typically issue a provisional credit immediately.
Important Deadlines
- Credit cards: 60 days from the statement date (Fair Credit Billing Act)
- Debit cards: 60 days from the statement date, but some banks are stricter
- Pro tip: File as soon as possible. Earlier disputes have higher success rates.
Success rate: Consumer chargebacks succeed about 60–80% of the time for subscription disputes, according to industry data.
Step 3: Apple & Google Play Refunds
Apple App Store Refunds
- Go to reportaproblem.apple.com
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Find the charge and tap "Report a Problem"
- Select "I'd like to request a refund"
- Choose your reason and submit
Apple typically responds within 48 hours. For subscriptions, you can usually get the most recent charge refunded.
Google Play Refunds
- Go to play.google.com/store/account/orderhistory
- Find the order and click "Report a problem"
- Select your reason and request a refund
Google has a 48-hour auto-refund window for new purchases. After that, requests are reviewed manually.
Step 4: PayPal Subscription Disputes
- Go to paypal.com/disputes
- Click "Report a Problem"
- Select the transaction and choose "Unauthorized activity" or "I want to report billing issue"
- Escalate to a claim if the seller doesn't respond within 20 days
Important: Also cancel the PayPal billing agreement. Go to Settings → Payments → Manage automatic payments, and cancel the subscription there to prevent future charges.
Step 5: File an FTC Complaint
If a company refuses to refund you or makes cancellation unreasonably difficult, file a complaint:
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- CFPB: consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- State Attorney General: Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint"
- BBB: bbb.org/file-a-complaint
The FTC Click-to-Cancel rule (effective 2025) requires companies to make canceling as easy as signing up. If a company violates this, your complaint has legal weight.
How to Prevent Future Unwanted Charges
- Audit your subscriptions regularly. Upload your bank statement to JustCancel to find every recurring charge in seconds.
- Use virtual cards. Services like Privacy.com let you create cards with spending limits or auto-pause after a free trial.
- Set calendar reminders. When you start a free trial, immediately set a reminder 2 days before it converts to paid.
- Check your statements monthly. Small $5–$15 charges are easy to miss but add up to hundreds per year.
- Use stop payment orders for debit card charges that won't stop.
💰 Find Every Subscription Draining Your Account
Upload your bank statement. JustCancel's AI finds every recurring charge — even the ones you forgot about.
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Scan Your Statement →How Much Can You Get Back?
Here's what real people have recovered by canceling forgotten subscriptions:
- Average savings: $312/year per person (based on JustCancel user data)
- Most common forgotten subscriptions: Streaming services ($10–$23/mo), cloud storage ($3–$10/mo), fitness apps ($10–$30/mo)
- Refund success rate: ~70% when you ask within 30 days
- Chargeback success rate: ~65% for subscription disputes
The first step is knowing what's charging you. Most people have 2–3 subscriptions they've completely forgotten about.
Your Rights Under Federal Law
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Protects credit card users. You can dispute charges within 60 days and aren't liable for unauthorized charges over $50.
- Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA): Similar protections for debit cards, but with tighter deadlines.
- FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule (2025): Companies must make canceling as easy as signing up. Violations can be reported to the FTC.
- State consumer protection laws: Many states (CA, NY, IL, etc.) have additional protections. Check your state's specific laws.