You checked your subscription status.
It didn’t say “Active.”
It said “On Hold.”
You assumed it was cancelled.
You stopped checking your billing.
Then the charge happened.
The subscription was never cancelled — only paused.
What “On Hold” Actually Means
- The service is temporarily paused
- Billing is delayed — not stopped
- The account remains subscribed
- Renewal can resume automatically
“On Hold” is not a cancellation status.
Why Subscriptions Go On Hold
- Payment method issues
- Billing retries in progress
- Account verification checks
- Temporary service restrictions
During this time, cancellation must still be done manually.
How Users Misinterpret This Status
- They believe billing has stopped permanently
- They think service access removal equals cancellation
- They stop monitoring renewal dates
- They assume failed payment cancels the plan
But once payment succeeds, renewal resumes.
How to Confirm Real Cancellation
- Status must show “Cancelled” or “Expired”
- A cancellation confirmation email should exist
- Renewal date should disappear
- Billing authorization should be removed
If you only see “On Hold,” your subscription still exists.
And charges can resume anytime.