You signed up for a free trial, forgot about it, and now there is a monthly charge on your bank statement that you did not expect. It happens constantly. Companies design their sign-up processes to be easy and their cancellation processes to be difficult, and they rely on you not noticing the charge for a few months.
Your Right to Cancel
Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, you have a 14-day cooling-off period for most online and phone purchases, including subscriptions. If you are still within that window, cancel and you should get a full refund. The company must process the refund within 14 days.
After the cooling-off period, your cancellation rights depend on the terms you agreed to. Most subscription services are rolling monthly contracts that you can cancel at any time, taking effect at the end of the current billing period. Some have minimum terms, particularly gyms and phone contracts. Read the terms, and if you cannot find them, ask the company to send them to you in writing.
Free Trials That Convert to Paid
The law says that companies must get your active consent before charging you. A pre-ticked box does not count. If a company converted your free trial to a paid subscription without clear, explicit consent, you have a strong case for a refund of all charges.
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Ask Your Question for FreeThe Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has strengthened the rules further. Subscription businesses must now provide clear information before you sign up, send a reminder before a free trial converts to paid, and make cancellation as easy as sign-up. If they do not, they are breaking the law.
Getting Your Money Back
Contact the company first. Be specific: tell them when you want the subscription cancelled and how much you want refunded. Do it in writing, email is fine, so you have a record. If they refuse, you have several options. If you paid by credit card, you can raise a dispute under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (for purchases over £100) or request a chargeback (for any amount). If you paid by debit card, chargeback is your route. Your bank can reverse the charges.
Stopping Future Charges
If a company is ignoring your cancellation request and continuing to take money, contact your bank and ask them to block payments to that company. This is called cancelling a continuous payment authority and your bank is legally required to do it when you ask. The company might complain, but they cannot take money you have told your bank to stop giving them.
Always check the terms of your specific agreement, as individual contracts can vary. This article is for general guidance only and is not legal advice.
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