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Vikram subscribed to an OTT streaming platform during a promotional offer. The plan was advertised as ₹149 per month, and he intended to use it only for a few weeks.
Vikram subscribed to an OTT streaming platform during a promotional offer. The plan was advertised as ₹149 per month, and he intended to use it only for a few weeks.
Three months later, while checking his bank statement, he noticed a single debit of ₹1,788.
The platform had automatically converted his monthly plan into an annual renewal.
Vikram contacted customer support and argued that he had never explicitly agreed to an annual charge.
“Auto-renewal was enabled at the time of subscription.”
When he checked the app, the renewal setting was buried deep inside the account menu and had been enabled by default.
Many users assume that stopping usage or uninstalling the app cancels the subscription. It usually does not.
For recurring digital payments, RBI’s e-mandate framework generally requires:
A pre-debit notification before the charge.
A mechanism to cancel the mandate.
Clear information about the amount and frequency of the debit.
If these safeguards are not properly followed, consumers can raise a dispute with their bank.
The original subscription email.
Bank statement showing the annual debit.
Screenshots of the renewal settings.
Evidence that he had not actively upgraded to an annual plan.
Cancelled the subscription immediately.
Removed the active e-mandate through his bank.
Filed a written complaint with the OTT platform.
Raised a recurring payment dispute with his bank.
Vikram recovered a substantial portion of the annual amount and ensured that future auto-renewals were blocked.
The free trial asks for card details upfront.
Auto-renewal is enabled by default.
The cancellation option is difficult to find.
The platform offers a heavily discounted first month.
You do not receive clear renewal reminders.
Check whether auto-renewal is enabled.
Take screenshots of the subscription terms.
Set a reminder before the renewal date.
Review active e-mandates in your banking app.
Save cancellation confirmation emails.
Cancel the subscription immediately.
Remove the recurring mandate.
Collect screenshots and bank statements.
File a written complaint with the platform.
Dispute the recurring charge with your bank if appropriate.
Escalate through the National Consumer Helpline (1915) if unresolved.
Many users notice the renewal but continue paying for several months before taking action.
The earlier the subscription is cancelled and the mandate is removed, the lower the financial loss.
“Digital subscriptions should be transparent and easy to manage. Consumers should regularly review active recurring payments and should not assume that deleting an app automatically cancels a subscription.”
Check whether auto-renewal was enabled.
Cancel the subscription immediately.
Remove the bank mandate.
Save all transaction records.
Escalate the dispute through official channels if necessary.
A quick review of your recurring subscriptions can prevent small monthly plans from turning into large annual charges without your knowledge.