Charged After Your Free Trial Ended? Refund and Dispute Playbook That Actually Works

You ended a free trial and a charge still landed. That sting you feel is your wallet filing a complaint. This guide is your response plan. You will learn exactly what to do in the first hour, how to collect proof, how to get a fast yes from support, and how to escalate to your bank when a vendor plays games. We also show you how to block repeat charges and how to make the next trial drama free. F U Trials tracks end dates and pings you before money moves so charges do not sneak in again. Today we clean up. Tomorrow we prevent.

The First Hour Checklist

Speed matters. Friendly facts plus quick action beat long essays every day of the week. Run this list now and you will feel the stress slide off your shoulders.

Freeze future charges

• Turn off renewal in the account if the button exists. Capture a screenshot of the new state with the date visible
• Remove saved cards from the billing page. If you cannot remove a card, replace it with a virtual card that has a tiny limit
• If your bank allows merchant locks, block the vendor while you sort things out

Collect the raw facts

• Note the charge date, amount, and the exact name that appears on your statement
• Open your inbox and grab the signup confirmation and any trial end emails
• Open the account page and take a screenshot that shows the current status

Start a short timeline

Signup on date and time and time zone
Trial ended on date or renewal turned off on date
Charge posted on date and amount
Current account state and any ticket number so far

Find The Source Of The Charge

Where the money moved decides the path you take. Follow the money like a detective who drinks excellent coffee and refuses to get fooled twice.

Was this billed by an app store

• If the statement shows Apple or App Store, manage the plan in iOS or macOS subscriptions
• If the statement shows Google Play, manage the plan in Play Store subscriptions
• Vendors cannot cancel store billed plans from inside their app. Stores hold the keys

Was this billed by the vendor directly

• Look for a manage or billing button that opens a customer portal, often powered by Stripe
• Open invoices in the portal. Download the most recent one for your proof packet
• If no portal exists, prepare to contact support with a clear request and screenshots

Was this billed through a marketplace or a reseller

• Cloud marketplaces and resellers control renewal and refunds within their own console
• End the plan in the marketplace, then ask the vendor to confirm the service end date

Build A Proof Packet That Wins

Support teams love tidy evidence. Give them a packet that answers every question before they ask and you move to the front of the line.

Packet contents

• Timeline.txt with four lines that list signup, cancel, confirmation, and charge
• Screenshot of the account state that shows canceled or renewal off, with the date visible
• Confirmation email saved as a PDF
• The latest invoice or receipt that shows the amount and date
• Screenshot of the trial terms from the day you signed up if you have it

File names that help an agent help you

• Vendor name and month and year and cancel state.png
• Vendor name and month and year and confirmation email.pdf
• Vendor name and month and year and invoice.pdf
• Vendor name and month and year and trial terms.png

Message The Vendor For A Fast Refund

Short and calm messages move faster through queues than novels. State the outcome you want in the first line. Ask for a dated confirmation. Attach the packet.

Primary email script

Subject: Refund request after trial ended

Hello team,

I ended the trial and do not want this plan. A charge posted on [date] for [amount].
Please refund this charge and confirm that renewal is off.

Account email: [your email]
Invoice number: [invoice]

I have attached proof that includes my canceled state and confirmation.
Please reply with a dated confirmation. Thank you

Chat script

Hi. I ended my trial and was charged on [date] for [amount].
Please refund this charge and confirm that renewal is off.
My account email is [your email]. I can upload a screenshot of the canceled state if helpful.
Please send a confirmation by email. Thank you

Ticket template for a help desk portal

Subject: Charged after trial ended. Refund requested

Summary
Trial ended and charge posted.
Please refund and confirm renewal is off.

Account email
[your email]

Invoice number
[invoice]

Attachments
Canceled state
Confirmation email
Invoice
Timeline.txt

Please reply with a dated confirmation. Thank you

How To Handle Pushback Without Stress

Sometimes a vendor says no, or says yes later, or says please wait while the sun completes a circle. Stay calm, stay factual, and move one square at a time.

If they claim you never canceled

• Send the canceled state image again and circle the date and status
• Attach the earlier confirmation email or chat transcript
• Ask the agent to check subscription logs for the timestamp you provided

If they say you canceled after the cut off

• Point to your buffer day and the timeline that shows good faith
• Ask for a good will refund and an immediate end of service
• Note any unclear time zone language and attach the screenshot of terms

If they offer credits instead of a refund

• If you want to leave, explain that credits keep you tethered to a product you do not intend to use
• Request a card refund and written confirmation that the account will not bill again
• If you accept credits, ask for a message that lists the credit amount and the new next bill date

Escalate To Your Bank When Needed

When a vendor stalls or refuses a fair request, your bank may help. Banks love dates and documents. You already built that packet. Now you present it with a clear story.

Bank cover note

Subject: Card dispute cover. Service canceled and charge posted after trial

Hello bank team,

I ended a free trial and turned off renewal. A charge posted on [date] for [amount].
I requested a refund with proof and did not receive a resolution.

I have attached my packet that includes
Timeline.txt
Canceled state with date
Confirmation email
Invoice

Please reverse the charge and block future attempts from this merchant.
Thank you

What banks often ask

• The date you canceled or turned off renewal
• The date you first contacted the vendor
• Copies of confirmations or screenshots
• Any reference numbers and invoice numbers

Practical tips for bank disputes

• File the dispute as soon as it is clear the vendor will not help
• Stay neutral in tone. Facts travel faster than feelings
• Keep following up on any additional documents the bank requests

Stop Repeat Charges For Good

Ending a bad charge is the first win. Preventing the sequel is the real prize. Lock down your setup so the next month does not deliver a surprise.

Kill renewal and remove cards

• Turn off auto renewal in the account
• Delete saved payment methods where possible
• Use a virtual card with limits for future trials

Block at the bank

• Ask your bank to block the merchant from charging your card again
• Replace the card if the vendor continues to attempt charges

Revoke tokens and integrations

• Disconnect the app from email, cloud storage, or other services
• Delete API tokens or keys created during the trial

Special Cases And How To Win Them

App Store billing with Apple

• Open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and capture the end state
• Use Apple support if a charge posted after you ended the plan. Provide the Subscriptions screenshot and the email from Apple

Google Play billing on Android

• Open Play Store, tap your profile, then Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions
• Capture the screen that shows the plan state and the end date. Use that in your request

Stripe customer portals

• Open the vendor billing page and click manage billing to reach the portal
• Download invoices and credit notes so your packet is complete

PayPal or other wallets

• Open your wallet and cancel the billing agreement
• Provide wallet reference numbers in any dispute so the trail is clear

Table Of Options At A Glance

Scripts For Every Stage

Good will refund request when you missed by a tiny margin

Subject: Good will refund request

Hello team,

I turned off renewal close to the end date and was charged on [date] for [amount].
Please process a good will refund and confirm that my account will not bill again.

Account email: [your email]
Invoice number: [invoice]

Proof attached.
Thank you

Second follow up with a calm deadline

Subject: Second follow up on refund request from [date]

Hello team,

Following up on my refund request. Please confirm today that the charge will be reversed and that renewal is off.
Proof is attached for quick review.

Thank you

Vendor still says no after clear proof

Subject: Final request before I contact my bank

Hello team,

I have provided proof that my trial ended before the charge on [date]. Please refund [amount] and send a dated confirmation today.
If that is not possible I will contact my bank with the same packet.

Thank you

Edge Cases You Can Handle

Proration confusion after a downgrade

Ask for the calculation in writing. Request the old plan price, the new plan price, the days counted, and any tax. Compare to your own quick sheet. If numbers do not match, reply with the difference and request a corrected invoice

Family plans and shared seats

Ending a main plan does not always end every seat. Capture a screen that shows seat count at zero and that shows the end date. Keep that in your packet

Vendor changed plan names during your trial

Attach the plan page from signup day and the current plan page. Request that the original promise be honored for your trial period. Calm evidence wins more often than you think

Charge arrived from a reseller name you do not recognize

Search your inbox for the amount. Open the invoice to see the vendor or project name. Vendors sometimes use a processing company name on statements. Once identified, proceed with the same playbook

Make Prevention Automatic With F U Trials

The best dispute is the one you never need. F U Trials detects trials when you sign up, records end dates, and sends reminders with a buffer that beats time zones and late night forgetfulness. You get a friendly nudge two days before the end and again on the final morning. You cancel with a single calm click, capture the state, and move on with your day. No mystery bills. No rage letters. Just control.

Your Next Move

Open the charge in your banking app and write down the date and the amount. Turn off renewal in the account right now. Build your proof packet and send the short request above. Set a reminder for a follow up later today. Add the vendor to your block list at the bank if needed. Then add your current trials to F U Trials so this saga becomes a story you only tell other people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I send a vendor when I was charged after a trial ended

Send a short request that asks for a refund and a dated confirmation. Include your account email and the invoice number. Attach a screenshot of the canceled state, the confirmation email, and the invoice. Add a four line timeline so the agent can follow the story in seconds

How fast should I escalate to my bank

Escalate when the vendor refuses a fair request or when they stop replying. Banks respond well to organized packets. File sooner rather than later so timelines do not slip

Will a bank always side with me

No. Banks look at evidence and timing. Your chances are much better when you show a canceled state before the charge, a confirmation email, and a calm request sent promptly after the charge

Do app stores refund charges after trials

Sometimes. Use the store controls first to end the plan. Then open a support case with the store and attach the Subscriptions screenshot and the store email. Small charges with clear proof often resolve quickly

Should I accept credits instead of a refund

Only if you plan to continue using the product soon. Credits can keep you tied to a tool you wanted to leave. If you want out, ask for a card refund and a dated confirmation that renewal is off

How do I prevent this from happening again

Track trials with F U Trials, set two alerts per trial, remove saved cards after you cancel, and keep a tidy proof folder for each vendor. That routine turns surprise charges into a memory