Skip to content
Emergency

Subscription cancelled, still charged: reclaiming your money

You cancelled on time, but the provider keeps collecting money? You do not have to accept such charges without legal grounds. With SEPA direct debits you can have the money charged back via your bank and demand reimbursement of amounts debited unjustifiably.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Start reclaiming your money →

Your chances of getting your money back

You can have a SEPA basic direct debit charged back within eight weeks without giving reasons; with an unauthorized direct debit even up to 13 months.
Amounts debited unjustifiably after a valid cancellation are paid without legal grounds and are to be reimbursed. What is decisive is that you can prove the cancellation and its receipt.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Prove the cancellation

    Record when and how you cancelled (cancellation confirmation, proof of sending, screenshot of the cancellation button).

  2. 2

    2. Charge back the direct debit

    Have the unjustified direct debit charged back via your online banking or your bank (possible without problems within eight weeks).

  3. 3

    3. Demand from the provider in writing

    Ask the provider to stop the charges and reimburse amounts collected unjustifiably, with a deadline.

  4. 4

    4. Revoke the direct debit mandate

    Revoke the SEPA mandate so that no further charges occur, and check for further outstanding amounts.

How to spot the scam

  • The provider claims that a cancellation was 'not received'.
  • Reference is made to an alleged automatic renewal.
  • Despite the chargeback, reminders arrive for allegedly outstanding amounts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I reclaim a charge after the cancellation?

Yes. You can have a SEPA basic direct debit charged back within eight weeks without a justification. If you did not (or no longer) grant the mandate, it is up to 13 months. The bank helps you with this.

How do I prove the cancellation?

Via the cancellation confirmation, proof of sending (registered letter/email) or the receipt for the cancellation button. Keep these proofs safe; they are decisive in a dispute.

What if reminders still arrive?

Object to the claim in writing referring to the valid cancellation. An unjustified claim does not create a payment obligation; but respond so that no court order for payment goes unchallenged.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

Start reclaiming your moneyCheck a suspicious message
More help: Emergency by phone · Act together · Right to a lawyer · All guides

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.