Subs Not Being Cancelled When Payment Fails

thisusernameistaken on 26/12/2024 - 17:32

Rather than going through the process of cancelling a subscription, sometimes I move money out of my account so that the subscription will cancel itself due to insufficient funds.

However, it seems not every streaming service will cancel, instead the service provider will keep attempting to take the funds while still providing the service.

I managed to get an extra month for free from Binge doing this. To be fair, I did cancel but it seems their dark patterns made me believe I had when I supposedly did not.

Now another streaming service hasn't cancelled on me yet and I suspect it may take a month before they decide to end the service.

What are the repercussions of not cancelling the service through the proper means?

Entertainment

Comments

  • SilverKing123 on 26/12/2024 - 17:45
    +1

    There's some subscriptions that only require filling in a card number and expiration month, no CVV. Depending on which wallet/bank you use, even if you have deleted the card, the merchant can still deduct money from your bank account if leaving the subscription uncanceled.

  • Sye on 26/12/2024 - 17:46
    +2

    I was thinking this was a hack for free subs from subway

  • holdenmg on 26/12/2024 - 17:57
    +9

    I though if we ordered Submarines from France and didn't pay they would realise we were doing something else…

  • ShaneeMorg on 26/12/2024 - 18:09

    Does it work for youtube also?

  • Sye on 26/12/2024 - 18:19
    +1

    Also works for OzBargain Premium.

  • ozbs25 on 26/12/2024 - 18:49

    NBA League Pass took money from an expired credit card. I assumed you couldn't so I didn't bother cancelling. I try to keep a better on things now.

  • jlv on 26/12/2024 - 18:49
    +2

    Doesn't work for eharmony. Confirmed by the ACCC

  • AustriaBargain on 26/12/2024 - 19:55
    +1

    Start the car.

  • JimmyF on 26/12/2024 - 20:15
    +2

    What are the repercussions of not cancelling the service through the proper means?

    Banning your account from the service, asking you to pay what is owed when you to join up again. Maybe dishonour fees on your bank account.

    Guess you'll find out which ones!

    • thisusernameistaken on 26/12/2024 - 20:55

      Dishonour fees would be if it's a direct debit though

  • ddilrat on 26/12/2024 - 20:39

    Can it affect credit like a phone plan

    • thisusernameistaken on 26/12/2024 - 20:55

      It's a debit card so I wouldn't think so

    • Bruceflix on 26/12/2024 - 21:09

      I think the minimum debt for a default is $150. Plus subscription services are prepaid so theoretically you cannot go into debt with them.

      • ddilrat on 27/12/2024 - 02:53

        Oh yeah that’s true

  • lew380 on 27/12/2024 - 08:40
    -1

    I guess these services don't incur a cost to themselves, it's not an actual product, if they allow a free month, so they don't police it so stringently.

  • 0 0 0 on 27/12/2024 - 09:01
    +1

    I reckon they can send debt collectors after you and order a repayment. I wouldn't risk it. Not a great hack at all.

  • idonotknowwhy on 27/12/2024 - 09:07

    I did something like this years ago. Signed up for a subscription, lost the credentials + phone number but had my card attached.

    Ended up just 'locking' the bank card for several years. Then one day I re-activated the card, and the following day I had a payment taken from it.

    Also, having the card expire + new card with new expiration issued — doesn't stop it. If I activate the new card, I get a payment taken out again lol

  • susannetsv on 27/12/2024 - 11:30

    I have had this happen on several subscriptions. I find the best way to combat this situation is to get a Wise virtual card and use this for subscriptions . At the end of every month cancel the virtual card and get a new one , every month . Therefore the card number disappears and is no longer a valid credit card number so no charges can be made. This is very easy to do in the app and only takes a minute , they are disposable cards so perfect for all subscriptions

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