You signed up for a free trial directly from what looked like the official service page. You later canceled inside the service, yet a charge still appeared.
This often happens when the free trial was started through an external platform rather than the service itself.
When a trial is initiated by a third party, billing control may sit outside the main service.
Why Third-Party Trials Cause Unexpected Charges
- The trial was activated via a partner site, not the official service
- Cancellation inside the service does not affect the external platform
- Billing rules are governed by the third party’s terms
- Confirmation appears successful but applies only partially
- The external platform renews automatically unless canceled separately
How to Identify a Third-Party Free Trial
- Check the original signup URL or referral source
- Review emails for platform or partner names
- Look at the merchant name on the charge
- Confirm where payment details were first entered
What to Do to Prevent Repeat Charges
- Cancel directly through the platform that initiated the trial
- Verify cancellation status on both the service and the provider
- Save confirmation emails from external platforms
- Review partner billing policies before starting trials
Free trials started outside official channels often follow different billing logic. Knowing who controls the trial prevents confusion and repeat charges.