Can a company keep charging me after I cancel?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

When Charges Are Unauthorized

If you canceled through the method the company required and received a confirmation, later charges may be unauthorized. Some companies make cancellation difficult, but that does not automatically allow them to keep billing. The specific result depends on your contract, your state, and the payment method used.

Be careful with free trials and renewals. A trial may convert into a paid plan unless you cancel before the deadline. Read the sign-up terms, since they explain when the first charge will happen and how to stop it.

• Keep the cancellation confirmation
• Note the date you canceled
• Compare later charges to your records
• Check the trial end date in the terms

What to Do Next

Contact the company first and point to your cancellation record. Ask them to refund the charges and confirm the account is closed. If they refuse, dispute the charge with your card issuer or bank.

Consider filing a complaint with your state attorney general or a consumer agency. Those reports can help identify patterns and sometimes lead to faster resolution.

Read the company's terms about partial months. Some companies refund only unused time, while others refund nothing after a renewal posts. Your refund options may depend on how quickly you canceled after the charge appeared.

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