How to stop a company from charging your card

Call your bank or card company (the number is on the back of the card) and say you want to stop a recurring payment to this company. Say that you withdraw your permission for further charges; in many countries the bank must then stop them. If you are not sure that worked, have the card replaced. None of this cancels the subscription or returns money already taken, so cancel with the company and ask for a refund as well.

Do this now

  1. Open your banking app and look at the charge. Many banks let you block a company or freeze the card right from the transaction; the label varies by bank.
  2. If there is no such option, call the number on the back of your card and say: "I want to stop a recurring payment to [company name as on the statement]. Please note that I withdraw my permission for any further charges."
  3. Ask the bank to confirm in writing (secure message or e-mail) that the payment is stopped. Keep that message.
  4. If you want to be sure, ask for a replacement card. Your old number stops working for the company.
  5. Then cancel the subscription with the company itself and ask for a refund.

Blocking the card stops the money, not the contract. The company still counts you as a customer and may send "unpaid balance" e-mails or try again later. Cancelling with the company is a separate step, and it is the one that ends the subscription.

In the banking app: block the company, not everything

Open the card and look for its settings: usually "Card settings", "Limits" or "Online payments". Many banks let you turn off online payments without confirmation or set a spending limit. But banks often warn that this does not always stop a subscription you already have, because the company saved your card when you confirmed the first payment. It works better if your bank lets you block this one company: look for that option on the charge itself, or ask about it in the support chat. A habit for the future: keep a separate virtual card for subscriptions and top it up only with the amount of a payment just before you pay.

If the app has no such option: call the bank and withdraw permission

Write in the support chat or call the number on the back of the card. Tell the bank, and the company too, that you withdraw your permission for further charges. In many countries the rules say the bank must stop a recurring card payment when you ask, even if you have not reached the company. Ask your bank which rules apply to you, and tell it before the next payment is due. Keep a copy of what you told the company and the bank: a charge taken after you withdrew permission is much easier to dispute as unauthorised.

Replacing the card: usually works, with one catch

A new card number is the most reliable way to stop charges from a company you cannot reach. The catch: Visa and Mastercard run a service that passes updated card details to companies with a subscription on file, so a charge can sometimes follow you to the new card. When you ask for the replacement, say why you need it and ask the bank not to pass the new number to this company, or to block the company as well. And remember to update the card where you do want to keep paying: phone, cloud storage, streaming.

If you paid through PayPal

On the PayPal website: Settings (the gear icon) → Payments → Automatic payments (you may see "Subscriptions and saved businesses") → choose the company → Cancel. PayPal describes it in its help article. This stops future payments through PayPal but does not reverse past ones and does not cancel the subscription with the company. If you were charged after you cancelled, you can open a dispute in PayPal's Resolution Center.

What stopping the charges does NOT do

  • It does not cancel the subscription. Cancel it where you signed up. If you cannot find where, start with who is charging me.
  • It does not return money already taken. For that, write to the company, then dispute the charge with your bank.
  • It can block the wrong things. Turning off all online payments stops your other subscriptions too. Blocking one company is better if your bank offers it.
  • It is not a reason to ignore the company's e-mails. Keep the dated cancellation and refund request; that is your proof if the company claims you owe it money.

Common questions

Will a new card stop subscription charges?

Usually yes, because the old number stops working. But card networks can pass a new number to companies that bill you regularly, so ask the bank to block the company too.

Can my bank refuse to stop a recurring payment?

In many countries the rules say the bank must stop it when you ask. Ask your bank how it works where you live, and in any case withdraw the company's permission in writing and dispute later charges.

If I block the card, is the subscription cancelled?

No. The company still has you as a customer. Cancel with the company as well, and keep the proof.

Will I get my money back after blocking the card?

No, a block only affects future charges. To get back what was already taken, write to the company, then ask your bank to dispute the charge if needed.

What if they charge me again after the block?

Tell the bank the same day, with the date and amount. A charge after you withdrew permission is the strongest case for a dispute.

This is general information, not legal advice. Bank and app store rules change and differ from country to country, so check the steps in your bank’s app or with their support.