Auto-renewal for digital content: getting refunds

Jaec95

Hi there,

Not sure which area of MSE this is best fitted in but...I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge in digital refund laws? I lost access to an email address so didn't see a notification email about a renewal for £100 (for a digital investment subscription - Invest Female) until it was taken out of my account. I had signed up to it free last year, continued with the 50% off annual membership and had forgot about it. I've cancelled the membership the day after the charge. They've emailed to say they don't offer refunds on automatic renewals. I've read up a little - previously a 14-day cooling off period was available for new subscriptions but not for automatic renewals. I think either the government has extended or plans to extend this to automatic renewals. Could someone advise please? 

Aylesbury_Duck

Jaec95 said:

Hi there,

Not sure which area of MSE this is best fitted in but...I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge in digital refund laws? I lost access to an email address so didn't see a notification email about a renewal for £100 (for a digital investment subscription - Invest Female) until it was taken out of my account. I had signed up to it free last year, continued with the 50% off annual membership and had forgot about it. I've cancelled the membership the day after the charge. They've emailed to say they don't offer refunds on automatic renewals. I've read up a little - previously a 14-day cooling off period was available for new subscriptions but not for automatic renewals. I think either the government has extended or plans to extend this to automatic renewals. Could someone advise please? 

I think the new legislation compelling businesses to have a cooling-off period for renewals comes into effect in Spring 2026, so I don't think you have a legal right to a refund.