Decide Your Money
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Free Letter Template: Dispute Small Unauthorized Charges

Copy, paste, send. Got charged for something you didn't authorize? Dispute the charge politely with this template — most cases get refunded.

“After 25 years inside the companies designing the systems that make cancelling impossible, I wrote these letters so you do not have to fight for your money back.”

— Enri Scha, Founder of Decide Your Money

When to use it

Use this template when:

  • you see a charge you do not recognise
  • a service billed you unexpectedly
  • you believe a subscription was activated without clear consent
  • a small recurring charge appeared on your statement

How to use it

  1. 1Replace the bracketed text with your information.
  2. 2Send the message through support email or the billing support channel.
  3. 3Include the charge date and amount if possible.
  4. 4Remain polite and neutral in tone.

The template (copy and paste)

Subject: Question about a recent charge on my account

Hello,

I hope you’re doing well.

I’m reaching out because I noticed a charge of [amount] on [date] from [service name], and I don’t recognise this transaction.

I’ve been reviewing my recent expenses and this charge caught my attention because I don’t recall authorising a payment for this service.

It’s possible that I may have overlooked something, so I wanted to contact you to better understand what this charge relates to.

Could you please help clarify the origin of this transaction and review whether it was correctly applied to my account?

If the charge was made in error, I would appreciate your help processing a refund.

Thank you very much for taking the time to look into this.

Kind regards,

[Your name]

Follow-up if they do not offer an alternative

Hello,

Thank you for your response and for reviewing the charge.

I appreciate the clarification. However, I still don’t recognise authorising this payment, which is why I wanted to follow up.

Could you please review the transaction once more and confirm whether it was correctly applied to my account?

If the charge cannot be clearly linked to an authorised subscription or purchase, I would appreciate your help processing a refund.

Thank you again for your assistance.

Kind regards,

[Your name]

Why this letter works

This template helps you dispute small charges that appear on your account without clear authorization.

Small charges are often overlooked because the amounts seem insignificant. However, companies usually investigate these quickly when customers report them, especially if the charge was not clearly authorised.

This message works by clearly stating that the charge was not recognised and requesting clarification or a refund.

When a customer politely reports a charge they do not recognise, support teams usually prioritise reviewing the transaction and often issue refunds for small amounts.

The key is to remain calm and factual while requesting clarification.

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What you will receive (15 more templates):

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  • Cancellation Letter That Often Triggers Retention Offers
  • Considering Switching to a Competitor
  • I Already Tried to Cancel — Escalation Email
  • I'm Considering Cancelling — Email That Unlocks Retention Offers
  • Refund Request for Accidental Renewal
  • Refund Request Template for Streaming Services
  • Refund Request When a Free Trial Converted to a Paid Subscription
  • Request to Pause a Subscription Instead of Cancelling
  • Request to Remove Late Fees or Penalties
  • Script to Negotiate Your Mobile or Internet Bill
  • Template to Request a Downgrade Without Penalties
  • Template to Request Compensation When a Service Failed
  • Template to Request Price Matching After a Price Increase
  • Universal Negotiation Tactics You Can Add to Any RequestBonus

Disclaimer

This template is general guidance, not legal or financial advice. Consumer rights, contract terms, and cancellation policies vary by country, region, and provider. Read your specific contract carefully before sending any letter or making any request. Your results will depend on your individual circumstances, the company's policies, and local laws. If you need legal certainty, consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.

These templates work in many cases but they cannot guarantee outcomes. By using them you accept that you are responsible for verifying the information applies to your situation.