Unauthorised payment taken from my account

Because the cancelled account has no active subscription, investigate the charge against the payment method first; it may be tied to another Microsoft account or a third-party provider rather than the subscription cancelled in November 2024.

1. Identify where the $17 charge originates

1. Sign in to Microsoft’s Manage your payments page.
2. Locate the relevant card or payment method and select Investigate beside the unrecognized charge.
3. Also check every Microsoft account you may have used—old email addresses and accounts belonging to family members included. Microsoft lists recurring billing on another subscription and purchases made by someone who has access to the card among the common explanations for an unexpected charge.^1^
4. Record the following for support:
   • Dates and amounts of the charges
   • Exact description shown on the bank statement
   • Payment card’s last four digits
   • The November 2024 cancellation confirmation, if available
   • Microsoft order numbers for any matching transactions

Do not post bank statements, full card numbers, or other personal details in this public forum.

2. Stop future payments at the correct source

• If the investigation finds another Microsoft subscription: sign in to the account that owns it, open Services & subscriptions, select Manage, and cancel it or turn off recurring billing. If the page says Turn on recurring billing, it is already scheduled to expire and should not renew.[^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Unable to cancel your Microsoft subscription | Microsoft Support")
• If Apple, Google, Amazon, or another retailer bills it: cancellation and refunds must be handled by that provider; Microsoft cannot modify a third-party-billed subscription.[^3^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Where can I manage my Microsoft 365 subscription? | Microsoft Support")
• If no account or provider explains the charge: contact Microsoft Support, enter unrecognized Microsoft 365 charges after cancellation, select Get Help, then Contact Support. Ask the billing agent to trace the recurring transaction using its date, amount, statement description, and the card’s last four digits.

3. Request refunds and dispute the charges

Ask Microsoft Billing to review all charges made after the November 2024 cancellation and provide the cancellation confirmation. The standard policy generally provides a refund for the most recent recurring charge when cancellation occurs within 30 days of payment, limited to one time per Microsoft account and subscription product. Older charges are not automatically refundable under that standard policy, although applicable consumer law and regional prorated-refund rules may provide additional rights.[^4^](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID] "Microsoft subscription refund policy | Microsoft Support")

If Microsoft cannot locate or refund the transactions:

1. Contact the bank or card issuer promptly.
2. Dispute the charges as unauthorized and provide the cancellation record and Microsoft support case number.
3. Ask the bank to block further recurring charges from that merchant.
4. If the payment details may be compromised, ask whether the card should be replaced. Microsoft specifically warns that disputing charges alone does not prevent additional fraudulent charges.^1^

The bank determines how far back a dispute can be opened under its rules and applicable law, so request the two-year review immediately.

References

1. How to investigate a billing charge from Microsoft | Microsoft Support
2. [Unable to cancel your Microsoft subscription | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
3. [Where can I manage my Microsoft 365 subscription? | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])
4. [Microsoft subscription refund policy | Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/subscriptions/[Subscription ID])