Gransnet forums

Genealogy/memories

Dispute with Find my Past over subscription charge which I never authorized

(15 Posts)
jeanie99 Wed 19-Jun-24 16:07:53

Not sure if anyone else as had the same issues with this company but I just wanted to let you know my experience.
Last year I out took out a subscription for one year.
Last month FMP sent me an email informing me they were charging me for the 24/25 year.
I immediately contacted them as a reply to their email explaining I had never authorized a charge for the 24/25 subscription.
Waited for a reply which never came, emailed again and waited, no response.
It came up as a charge on my credit card for payment and I contacted my CC company explaining what had happened. They set up a dispute with FMP requesting a refund.
FMP have contacted me saying what the charge is for and they had previously emailed explaining this.
That they would give me a refund if I stopped the dispute in a way that is quite threatening.
They would give me 5 days to end the dispute and then they would give me a refund.
To say I am absolutely furious is an understatement.
What do other think.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 19-Jun-24 16:11:27

Most subscriptions these days renew automatically, you need to read the very small print which will tell you, then opt out.

Most Insurance companies also have automatic renewal unless you tick the box when you first ‘join’, which I find annoying as MrOops forgets.

Glorianny Wed 19-Jun-24 16:17:25

I don't think they should be contacting you if the payment is in dispute. I think they need to deal with your credit card company. I'd send them a message saying the amount remains in dispute until they refund the money.
Perhaps you should speak to your card people as well. You shouldn't feel bullied.

Chestnut Wed 19-Jun-24 16:17:39

I'm pretty sure you failed to read the small print. I have always taken careful note of the renewal conditions. These companies often hook you in with a special offer and then charge you the full wallop when the trial period is up. You have to cancel before that date or you automatically renew at the full price. I always set myself a reminder to cancel a few days before.

So if that is the case then you did authorise it by agreeing to their conditions.

jeanie99 Wed 19-Jun-24 16:17:41

I never ever agree to automatic renewals. I would never have agreed to that.
I am so furious.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 19-Jun-24 16:21:24

jeanie99

I never ever agree to automatic renewals. I would never have agreed to that.
I am so furious.

You don’t have to agree, you have to actively Disagree and then select the ‘opt out’ of automatic renewal.

RosiesMaw Wed 19-Jun-24 16:22:32

If they have offered you a refund, what is the problem?

Theexwife Wed 19-Jun-24 17:17:41

I have been caught out with auto renew before, I would accept the refund as they do not have to give this if you failed to cancel the auto renew.

Mamardoit Wed 19-Jun-24 17:37:06

I've been caught out by Ancestry and didn't notice for a couple of months. It won't happen again because I've cancelled the card.

jusnoneed Wed 19-Jun-24 18:12:21

Yes you have to cancel the membership on your account, from link on the home page. Ancestry is the same. I recently had a three month membership for FMP and cancelled it after the second month, immediately got an email confirming the cancellation and the final date.
Membership is continuous unless you turn off automatic renewal, it does state this in terms.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 19-Jun-24 20:57:10

You didn’t read the terms and conditions properly. Your fault. You only need to be furious with yourself. Accept the refund, cancel your subscription and be more careful next time. FMP is a reputable company.

Rekarie Wed 19-Jun-24 21:10:09

We've been caught out like this. We subscribed to a streaming channel, free for 3 months but we had to let them know if we didn't want to continue. Of course we forgot to cancel. We just accepted it was our fault.

No need to be furious at all. As has been mentioned, FMP is a reputable company.

jeanie99 Thu 20-Jun-24 20:53:34

Just an update,
My two emails sent on the (4th and 5th of June )in response to their e-mail saying they were going to charge me have now been received by them.
I sent copies clearly showing the date sent which was within the period.
Quick e-mail from FMP saying the refund as now been put through.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 21-Jun-24 08:41:55

As I said, they are a reputable company. Next time read the T&Cs!

Rekarie Fri 21-Jun-24 08:55:06

Germanshepherdsmum

As I said, they are a reputable company. Next time read the T&Cs!

Hear, hear