Consumer Alert
Were you charged for Amazon Prime without your permission?
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Online shopping can be convenient and easy. But with sometimes lots of screens before you get to check-out, you could wind up signed up for a service without even knowing it. What’s worse, it can be tough to cancel. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from unwanted services and charges.
Today, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Amazon, saying the company violated the law by enrolling people in its Amazon Prime subscription service without their permission, continuing to charge them, and making it hard to cancel.
The FTC says the company used a series of hurdles — known as “dark patterns” — to make it hard for customers to understand that they were starting a Prime subscription. These dark patterns also made it hard for people to cancel their Prime subscriptions by making them hunt for the right place to cancel online, and then click through complicated extra pages to cancel. Often, consumers would call Amazon’s customer service, only to be referred back to the website to cancel, making the process even more frustrating.
To help avoid unwanted services and charges when you shop online:
- Watch what goes into your shopping cart. Even if you empty your cart and leave the site without completing your purchase, you still could have been enrolled in a subscription service.
- Watch for pre-checked boxes. They may sign you up for a product or service.
- Carefully review your order before completing a transaction. If something got added that you don’t want, make sure to remove it.
- Make sure you didn’t get charged for something you don’t want. Check your order confirmation to see. If you did, contact the company to cancel and get a refund. Make sure you get — and keep — the written confirmation.
- Watch your bank or credit card statements. If you’re in a subscription, you’ve tried to cancel, and the company won’t stop charging your account, dispute it with your credit or debit card issuer.
- Look for auto-renewals. Unless you cancel, you’ll continue to be charged.
If a company signed you up for a subscription service without your permission, or if you have problems with canceling a subscription service, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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I was charged by Amazon with opening an account which I did NOT do. I called them and they agreed to refund 3 months but what do I do about the other months they charged my account? Can we all sue them or will the FTC make them do the right thing. What a world we live in where companies do this to you and there is no PUNISHMENT for there wrong? I am still not sure the account is closed, what can I do NOW?
Same here
Amazon also has made requesting a refund for a product not received similarly frustrating. I went in circles several times; only through dogged persistence did I finally succeed.
Many companies do this deal. It is frustrating and difficult to get your money back. Specially from those travel/hotels/sports on line companies. Strict rules and much more transparency is needed to protect us, the consumers.
Amazon charged my debt card and my credit card more than 7 times Amazon always doing illegal doesn’t make no sense I would like to be a part of the lawsuit because Amazon charges my cards without my permission.
Yes, this happened to my husband a few times with gaming subscriptions, Xbox games etc. They are sneaky. Be careful and check those too!
I had a hard time trying to unsubscribing from Amazon prime and they kept taking money out of my account even after I disputed with my bank
EXCELLENT ARTICLE!!! This has happened to me SEVERAL TIMES, and you are correct in advising folk to submit dispute with their card/ bank. Was the only solution that worked effectively.
Also when in disgus I cancelled my amz crd card, the agents are trained to put fear in your heart by saying you will never get approved for an amz card again! Exactly what I wanted.
Deep appreciate for ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US AMERICANS DOWN HERE ON THE GROUND!!!
Amazon Prime automatically charges to your Amazon balance so if you have a balance from a gift card or return then you won't see the Prime fee on your credit card or bank statement!
I have been a Prime member since inception. I use it all of the time - all facets including music and video. My decision was/is fully informed and i know how to cancel if I ever wanted to do so. I estimate that my benefits are at least the roughly $1100 estimated by JPM (WSJ coverage). I'm sure they are more because of sweeteners like opting for fewer deliveries/packages in return for credits on digital purchases. Prime video has the advantage of access to programming typically purchased by PBS and financed by taxpayers. (Thus, everyone interested in that programming could simply access via Prime, PBS could end and we would enjoy a net savings.) I'm sure AMZ can continue to improve their web sites and apps. I'm absolutely sure that customers and consumers including FTC staff and appointees could do a better job of educating themselves and learning a thing or 2 about economics. As such this complaint has no merit and We the People are getting stuck with the bill.
Amazon charged over $1400.00 and was paid by my Bank. I have no knowledge of what these charges were for. Amazon refused to refund My money after admitting that I had no account with them. How do I get my money back. I still have my bank statements showing these items.
In reply to Amazon charged over $1400.00… by Betty Jean Beech
Hello
I had the exact same thing happen to me with Amazon I freaked out when I received my bank statement and $2200 to Amazon purchases that I never made! I contacted Amazon but to no avail they were absolutely no help to me whatsoever I had to get my bank involved and if it weren’t for them fighting Amazon I wouldn’t have received any of my money back now I’m scared to death to order anything from them! The short answer to your question get your bank involved there’s a good chance you’ll get all of your money back I feel for you this company is just out of control!
I would like to know how to unsubscribe Amazon Prime - year after year I'm charged without my permission.
In reply to I would like to know how to… by George Nakai
Account / Prime / Cancel
What is so difficult with that???
Very simple if you take the time to read just little.
In reply to Account / Prime / Cancel… by Jesse.James
You commented in another post that you have been a loyal prime member for over a decade. So I don't think you know what people are even talking about. The process of cancelling is easy, the problem is amazon will just sign you back up for prime without telling you once you make another purchase. By the time the next month comes another charge for prime will appear without having actively signed up for amazon prime.
Very simple if you take the time to read just a little.
In reply to I would like to know how to… by George Nakai
I argued by phone long ago with Amazon about the charge for prime in my credit card each month. They took it off for awhile, then minute I finally ordered an item, it immediately went back on, despite my unchecking the box on my order. Now, 5 months later, it’s still on!
They did exactly what you described to me. They also saved my payment acct until without my knowledge and it defaulted to that next time I wanted to buy something from them. BUT the reason people dont notice the Prime a subscription, is because they give the first month free. Then they automatically take their fee from the card you paid with without permission or my knowledge. However, if you catch them right away. Like within a couple days, and you can figure out how to cancel ..THAT IS NOT EASY AT ALL, they will refund. But I never gave them permission to save my payment account. That is one of the reasons I don't like shopping online, having my bank and credit accounts "out there" . Trying to find how to get those removed...again ..NOT EASY!
What rules about deception already exist and are they enough?
I have had Amazon prime for more months than I know. It seems after I placed an order it showed up on the same card I gave them. I am very sure it was a free trial period I was offered. The card I used is only a debit card that I use as a credit. But I put money on that one for specific things
I just assumed I hit the wrong buttons. Things like that can happen. I feel blessed that my card had a problem so I had to get a new one. I kept setting texts reminding me that my Amazon prime is not active wanting new number. I did not because I do not buy much on line or Amazon
I was a "happy" prime member for years. I was debating of continuing my membership. Earlier this year, my membership renewed automatically with no email notice or anything. I only found out that they had charged my HSA debit card instead of my regular default card after just happening to notice a cryptic charge on Optum website. Promptly cancelled right then and there as they said they couldn't refund and charge on my regular credit card...
On 2 different occasions Amazon enrolled me in Prime without my asking or having given permission. I found them uncooperative when contacted, so I contested the charge with my credit card company. This past December someone accessed my "account" with Amazon which I had never established (and never gave them permission to retain my credit card on file) and proceeded to buy themselves numerous Christmas gifts. There are better ways to shop.
I had a yearly subscription. But was also charged a monthly subscription. They said they could not cancel that I should call my bank.
Im helping take care of my octogenarian mother's finance's and realized they had been charging her for Prime for over 7 years. It doesn't show on main page very visibly and I had to drill into 3 different places in order to find the area to unsubscribe. There really needs to be a law that would make these companies renew the contract with as many hoops as it takes to disable it. Quarterly, annually, or after 2 orders with the supplements scams.
It should be easy to cancel. Not with this company. Makes me mad.
I was charged as well. How do I get involved in this lawsuit?
On April 29, 2023, I could not place my order without choosing a free 30 day trial of Prime. First time that happened. I did cancel before 30 days with no problem. I guess if I had forgotten, there would have been a problem with cancelling. I haven't ordered since that period so don't know if still happening.
Synchronize bank brought to my attention that Amazon was charging me for prime multiple times a month although I wasn’t even a member. I immediately looked into my account and it had gone up over $300 I couldn’t explain why thats what made me call to question. I was charged up to 16 times in 6 months! I started a claim on Dec 27 2023 I was told it would take 60 days for them to do an investigation she put me in for 16 time $16.18 because she was only able to go back 6 months. I called 90 days later (March) they said they would restart a new claim and that I would hear from them within 30 days but nothing!! I called in May and they said there was nothing they could tell me that maybe it was still being investigated. It’s been 7 months and I’m still making payments. When I shouldn’t owe them anything. I don’t know what to do at this point how do I get this resolved?
I was paying $12.00 per month for Amazon Business Prime and then one month without my permission, Amazon drafted my account for $179.00. I tried to find out why with no success from speaking with their representatives. They would not answer my question directly and I could not find anywhere on their webpage where I could dispute it and get a refund.
Myself and at least one other person in my household found we were signed up for Prime and had to cancel it. This happened to me more than once. Sometimes I would cancel before the billed me for Prime, sometimes they would get a month or two out of me before I discovered it.
Thanks for the article and suggestions.
I have actually been lucky. I have Not had any problems, to speak of, with AMZN. Monetary issues have been corrected quickly. Overall an A-.
I made a large purchase through Amazon on May 2, 2023 for my daughter’s graduation gift. Right after I confirmed my order, I saw a message about being a Prime member now. I reviewed the order I had just placed and didn’t see a Prime Membership add on. It wasn’t until I saw this in the news that I checked Amazon and then found I had been charged on June 1, 2023 for a monthly membership. I did not purposely purchase or sign up for this. It appeared as if I was simply finalizing a purchase of a laptop. Very deceptive practices for sure.
They have done this to me multiple times. I even sent them a message about what they were doing and it continued to happen. I have bank statements of how many times they have done it and how much it has cost me.
They would also charge any card on your account and it not be in your name. I had my mom's cc on my account for her purchases and mine as well but they would get there prime no matter what or who even though the account was in my name not her's. I complained and they said I would have to cancel my account I have had for years. I just removed her card. But they won't help you with that. Prime lies, its harder and harder to get stuff in prime time and if at all. They cancel on you a lot lately.
Good information, thank you for providing this.
Yes. I was unwittingly resubscribed to Prime after requesting that I not be. That happened somewhere along the ordering trail I suppose.
Cancellation occurred after requesting and receiving the proper Customer Service number. There was no inordinate delay in my credit card account being refunded.
Yes I was made to buy a Amazon gift card when I didn’t want t one . I paid 96.00 on my credit card and again another $96.00 to Klarna who paid Amazo $96 for the same yard weed Wacker for third time .also charged for prime video show time,start etc many times . I tried to cancel never got 2 years of charges returned to my credit/debit cards
Ridiculous. I have been a member of Amazon Prime for over a decade. I did not get coerced into it, and I have always received a notification email a month before my Prime subscription renews.
If I wanted to cancel my Prime subscription, I'd know exactly how to do it.
People simply don't want to bother reading or lifting a finger to do anything on their own. But unfortunately, we live in an always-blame-someone-else-for-your-mistake society.
It is obvious the FTC is doing this for political purposes and nothing else.
In reply to Ridiculous. I have been a… by Jesse.James
Yes, your single bit of anecdotal evidence has completely destroyed the entire case for this lawsuit. The reality is, is that many people have gone through the process of cancelling their membership only to find charges on their account the first of the next month for Prime. Considering you just proudly exclaimed how you've been a member for over a decade, having not went through the process to, you know, actually cancel your membership, which is the point of this lawsuit... I don't think your comment really has any standing, merit, or reason to be here, other than be a loyal culture warrior for a business that doesn't view you as anything other than a number
Cancelling a membership for any service should be simple, not byzantine.
In reply to Ridiculous. I have been a… by Jesse.James
Excuse me Im a bit confused as to why your even on this site let a lone in the discussion of those of us who have had a problem not wanting Amazon prime and being charged for it anyway. Since you stated you’ve never ever had a problem with that once again why are you a part of this discussion? 🤪
In reply to Ridiculous. I have been a… by Jesse.James
Your experience is different than some others. I personally never get an email before prime renewal, and I actually get charged one week in advance. This means over the course of a year, I would have paid about 3 months extra.
For those who don’t use Amazon a lot, canceling or even noticing prime isn’t as easy. Part of the problem that the FTC is trying to address, from my understanding anyway, is the 3+ times one must click to cancel. There doesn’t need to be a “you’re about to cancel subscription”, followed by a “are you sure”, and then a “are you sure you’re sure?” No, that’s not the wording used, but it’s the same sentiment.
Amazon has gotten me for about the last 4 years I've had to cancel so many debit cards and get new ones they were literally taking $11 out of my account every 2 or 3 days
I'm sorry anywhere from $6 to $11 every two or three days and when I called them complained about it they said I had to get online and open my account while they were on the phone with me and then they were trying to empty out my bank account at that time unbelievable
I was charged I had to get a new credit card and cancel my own one
They got my elderly dad. They signed him up at different times for three accounts, all paid by the exact same name, credit card and address; two were even under the exact same username. Of course only one had transactions. Perfect example of this FTC case.
Yes I was charged for Amazon Prime, without my permission. It started out at $99.00 per year, I think it went up to $110 or $120, and now it a $139.
We were charged 14.99 per month for 7 months. We repeated asked Prime to stop but they did not. We finally had the bank reject the charges and refunded our money. That sememed to solve the problem - for now.
I never shopped at Amazon. I figured they were dishonest. Thanks FTC for catching. Please don't just slap a thief's hand. Put them out of business. Dishonest should not be rewarded they should be put out like all the other thieves. A mere 23 million like Google is chump change of what they steal. Thanks for catching the thieves.
Yes, I was charged extra for this as well. My subscription was up for renewal in September 2022. I had it diarized to cancel and did so. I happen to check my bank account sometime, I believe in March 2023. I noticed they were still charging me, I called they said no problem will cancel but they charge me for the six months. Super disappointed.
With regard to Amazon it took several years to cancel the unwanted subscription and now they are pestering again trying to solicit a new subscription.
I'm lucky in that I recognized Amazon had tried to set me up with Prime using the shipping method 'confusion tactics' and unrelentless 'clicks & distractions' to sign me up for a trial (30 days) and then charge me for it. However, once I realized that and tried to cancel it, it was nearly impossible. I did however discover that if I waited until just a few days prior to being auto-charged, I was able to cancel after numerous attempts and lots of 'jumping through hoops' to actually make sure I didn't get charged. These days, if I order through Amazon (which is VERY rare now due to their tactics and general business practices) I make sure to pay for shipping.....I believe their practices are predatory as well as deceptive. My two cents.....
I attempted to cancel with Amazon. Amazon continued to text me, saying I needed to supply a different charge card even after I ask them repeatedly to cancel my subscription.