Subscription refund request letter
Charged for a renewal you didn't expect, a plan you didn't mean to pick, or after you cancelled? Ask for your money back, politely and in writing.
What this does
It writes a polite, firm email asking a company to refund a subscription charge you didn't expect: an automatic renewal, an accidental upgrade or annual plan, a charge after you cancelled, or a free trial that turned into a paid plan. It asks for a full refund to your original payment method and written confirmation that the subscription is cancelled, by a date you choose. It also writes a shorter follow-up for when the date passes, saying you'll dispute the charge with your card issuer or bank. You edit both and send them yourself. It runs in your browser, so nothing you type is stored or sent. Free, no sign-up. Not legal advice.
2. Your emails
They update as you type. Edit anything, then email it or paste it into the company's support form. Keep a copy of what you send.
Follow-up, if the date passes
A fixed template, not legal advice. Refund rights depend on the company's terms and the law where you live, and card dispute time limits vary by issuer, so check yours. Paid through the App Store or Google Play? Ask Apple or Google for the refund instead (see Questions below).
The letter, if you'd rather fill it in by hand
Subject: Refund request: [plan] charge of [amount] on [date charged]
Hello [company] team, I'm writing about a charge of [amount] on [date charged] for [plan] on my account ([your email]). I'm asking for a full refund of this charge. [Pick one:] The subscription renewed automatically. I didn't receive a clear reminder before the renewal that I can find, and I didn't mean to keep the subscription for another billing period. This charge came from an upgrade or plan change I didn't mean to make. I didn't intend to buy [plan] or to move to this plan or billing period. I cancelled this subscription on [date you cancelled], before this charge was made, so I shouldn't have been charged again. This charge came when a free trial turned into a paid subscription. I didn't see clear notice before the trial ended that I would be charged, and I didn't mean to continue past the trial. I haven't used the service since the charge. Please refund the full [amount] to my original payment method. Please also cancel the subscription now, if it isn't already, and confirm that I won't be charged again. Please confirm the refund and the cancellation in writing by [reply-by date]. I'd much rather sort this out directly with you, so thank you for looking into it. Thank you, [your name]
Subject: Second request: refund of [amount] for [plan]
Hello [company] team, I wrote to you about the [amount] charge on [date charged] for [plan], and asked for a full refund to my original payment method, with written confirmation by [reply-by date]. I haven't received the refund or a written answer. As that date has passed, I'm going to dispute the charge with my card issuer or bank. I've kept copies of my messages to you and my statement showing the charge, and I'll include them with the dispute. If you refund the [amount] in the meantime, please confirm it in writing so I can let them know. Sincerely, [your name]
Before you send it
- Find the charge on your statement and any emails about the renewal, trial or upgrade. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation if you have one.
- Cancel first, or check it's already cancelled, so you aren't charged again while you wait.
- Send it through the company's support email or help form, and keep a copy. Give a clear date, a week is common, and diary it. Card dispute windows are limited, so don't let it drift.
Questions
Can I get a refund for a subscription renewal I forgot to cancel?
Often, if you ask soon after the charge and haven't used the service since. Many companies refund a recent renewal when asked, but not all of them have to; it depends on their terms and the law where you live. Ask in writing, say plainly that you didn't mean to renew and haven't used it, and ask for the refund to go back to your original payment method.
How do I ask a company for a refund for an unwanted subscription charge?
Write to their support team by email or through their help form. Give the plan, the amount and date of the charge, and why it was unwanted. Ask for a full refund to your original payment method and written confirmation that the subscription is cancelled, by a clear date. Keep a copy of what you send. The US Federal Trade Commission also has general guidance on unwanted subscriptions and canceling them on its consumer advice website.
What if the company refuses or doesn't reply?
You can ask your card issuer or bank to dispute the charge, often called a chargeback. Explain what happened and send them your request, any reply, and proof that you cancelled. Time limits vary by card issuer and card type. For US credit cards, the Fair Credit Billing Act often gives you around 60 days from the statement that first showed the charge to dispute it in writing, but check with your issuer and don't wait. Debit card and bank rules can be different.
I subscribed through the App Store or Google Play. Can the company refund me?
Usually not. If you paid through Apple or Google, the refund has to go through them. For Apple, request it at reportaproblem.apple.com. For Google Play, find the charge in your Google Play order history and request a refund there. You can still use the wording from this letter to explain what happened.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's a fixed template that writes a polite, firm refund request for you to edit and send yourself. Your refund rights depend on the company's terms and the law where you live. It's free, needs no sign-up, and nothing you type is stored or sent.
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