How to Stop Unwanted Subscriptions Using Your Bank
The Subscription Drain
Unwanted recurring payments quietly drain UK bank accounts. Whether a gym membership you forgot to cancel, a streaming service you no longer use, or a free trial that silently converted to paid — these charges can run for months unnoticed.
CPAs vs Direct Debits
Most subscriptions use a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA) — your card details stored by the merchant who charges automatically. This differs from a direct debit, where the instruction sits with your bank.
To cancel a direct debit: cancel with your bank. To cancel a CPA: cancel with the merchant directly OR instruct your bank to block future payments from that merchant. Both are valid and legally enforceable.
Your Right to Cancel CPAs
FCA rules are clear: banks must cancel a CPA immediately when instructed. If a merchant charges you again after cancellation, the bank must refund the payment. This right is non-negotiable and applies even if you can't reach the merchant.
Finding Subscriptions in Your Bank App
- Monzo and Starling: Both automatically categorise recurring payments and show active subscriptions in a dedicated section
- Traditional banks: Look for repeating small charges in statements; contact your bank to block specific merchant CPAs
- Virtual cards: Some banks let you create virtual card numbers for free trials — delete the card and the merchant can't charge you again
The Annual Audit
UK consumers spend an average of £620 per year on subscriptions, with approximately £350 on services rarely or never used. An annual review takes 20 minutes and often frees up meaningful money for savings.
