The question arises of what to do if the company continues to debit funds from the bank card after the service or subscription has been canceled. According to UAE legislation, once the consumer cancels the subscription in accordance with the agreed procedure and terms, the subscription must cease from the date specified in the cancellation notice.
However, this termination may depend on the presence of a notice period, a minimum commitment term, or any other contractual conditions agreed upon between the consumer and the service provider.
If the subscription was properly canceled, and the consumer did not agree to automatic renewal or further payments, any debits made after the cancellation date can be disputed, as the contractual basis for these payments has ceased.
Article 237 of Federal Decree Law No. (25) of 2025, which establishes the Civil Code, states that if a contract is terminated or ceases, the parties must return to the state they were in before concluding the contract. If this is impossible, compensation must be paid.
Consequently, if the consumer legally canceled the subscription, and then continues to be charged without a contractual basis for such debits, the consumer has the right to demand that the service provider cancel the debit and refund the amount collected after the actual cancellation date.
It is recommended that the consumer first raise this issue directly with the service provider, providing proof of cancellation, including the cancellation confirmation, relevant correspondence, and payment records. If the debit was made via a debit or credit card, the consumer can file a dispute form with the relevant bank or financial institution that issued the card, following established card dispute procedures.
In accordance with the above, there is no specific provision defining the period during which the service provider can continue to debit funds from the consumer after cancellation; this depends on the agreed terms. The important point is whether the subscription was correctly canceled and whether any contractual provision stipulated subsequent debits. In the absence of such a contractual basis, the consumer can demand the cancellation of debits and the refund of amounts charged after the effective cancellation date.