What to gather before you write
- Cancellation confirmation, reference number, or a screenshot of the canceled status.
- The date you requested cancellation and the date it became effective, if stated.
- The disputed amount, transaction date, and billing period shown on the invoice.
- The account email and any earlier support ticket numbers.
What to do next
Match the charge to the subscription
Check the merchant name and the billing period. A charge appearing after your request may relate to an earlier period. If the subscription was purchased through an app store or another platform, identify who actually billed you before sending your request.
Make a written refund request
Send your cancellation record and identify the exact charge you want reviewed. Ask for a refund and written confirmation that recurring billing has ended. Keep those two requests separate so a reply about cancellation does not leave the refund unanswered.
Check for further charges
Keep your cancellation record and watch your statements. If the company keeps charging you after cancellation, contact your card issuer about disputing the charge. The FTC provides more guidance in the source linked below.
An email you can make your own
Copy this template into your email app and replace the bracketed details with your own facts. Remove anything that does not apply, and check every date and amount before sending.
Subject: Charge after cancellation — [account or reference] Hello [company] support, I canceled [subscription] on [date], using [cancellation method]. My confirmation reference is [reference], and the stated effective date is [date, if provided]. I was charged [amount] on [charge date]. Please review this charge against my cancellation record and refund it if it was billed in error. If you believe it is valid, please explain the billing period and the applicable term. Please also confirm whether recurring billing has ended. I have attached [confirmation and invoice, with unrelated information removed]. Please reply by [requested response date] with the outcome or the next review step. Thank you, [name]
If it is still unresolved
If support only confirms cancellation, reply in the same thread and ask explicitly for the refund decision. Keep a short log of each reply and reference number. Do not assume that deleting an app or an account has canceled a subscription.
Common questions
Does canceling automatically refund the latest payment?
Do not assume so. Check the effective cancellation date and the terms that applied to the charge. Request a refund explicitly and ask the company to explain any refusal.
What if I have no cancellation confirmation?
Write down when and how you tried to cancel. Save any available chat history or screenshots, and ask the company to check its account activity. Describe what you can document without claiming you have proof you do not have.
Further reading
FTC: Getting in and out of subscriptionsThese templates are written by Zendle. This is general information, not legal advice; your options depend on the facts and applicable terms and law.