What is negative option billing and can I get my money back?
Negative option billing assumes your consent to pay unless you actively cancel. In many countries it is heavily regulated and you may be entitled to a refund.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Negative option billing means a company treats your silence or inaction as consent to charge you. This includes free trials that convert to paid plans, pre-ticked boxes for add-on services at checkout, and continuity programmes that ship products and charge monthly unless cancelled. Consumer protection agencies in the US, UK, and EU have strengthened rules requiring clear cancellation mechanisms, advance notice before charges, and express consent. If you were enrolled without clear consent, or if cancelling is made unreasonably difficult — for example, requiring you to call a number that goes unanswered — you have grounds to dispute charges with your bank and report the company to consumer authorities.
Common red flags
- You were enrolled in a plan via a pre-ticked box
- Cancellation requires a phone call, a letter, or a visit to a physical store
- Company charges you despite a cancellation request you made in writing
- Multiple different charge amounts from the same merchant each month
What to do now
- Cancel in writing and keep a record of all cancellation attempts
- Contact your bank to block future charges from the merchant
- File a dispute or chargeback for any charges after your cancellation request
- Report to the FTC (US), FCA (UK), or equivalent national authority
Frequently asked questions
My bank says I agreed to the charges — what can I do?
Request the evidence the bank is relying on. If terms were not clearly presented at sign-up, or if you sent a cancellation that was ignored, escalate to the relevant financial ombudsman service.