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Why is Spotify taking money out of my account?

Published in Spotify Subscription Charges 4 mins read

Spotify is likely charging your account because you have an active Premium subscription, possibly on an account you've forgotten about or one that was automatically renewed after a free trial. This is a common occurrence, and several reasons could explain the charges.

Common Reasons for Spotify Charges

Understanding why you're being charged usually comes down to one of the following scenarios:

  • Active Spotify Premium Subscription: The most straightforward reason is that you or someone with access to your payment method signed up for a Spotify Premium account. Premium is a recurring subscription service that offers ad-free listening, offline downloads, and higher audio quality.
  • Free Trial Auto-Renewal: Many users sign up for a free trial of Spotify Premium. If the trial isn't canceled before it ends, it automatically converts into a paid subscription, and charges begin.
  • Multiple Spotify Accounts: It's common for users to unintentionally create more than one Spotify account, perhaps using different email addresses, Facebook logins, or Google accounts. If you're being charged, you likely have Premium on a different Spotify account than the one you usually log into. Check all potential accounts you might have.
  • Family Plan Manager: If you're the manager of a Spotify Premium Family plan, you are responsible for the monthly subscription fee that covers all members under your plan.
  • Expired Gift Card or Promotional Period: If you initially paid for Premium using a gift card or a special promotional offer, the charges will start once that period expires if you haven't canceled.
  • Unauthorized Use or Fraud: While less common, there's a possibility that your payment details have been compromised and used without your permission.

How to Investigate and Resolve Unexpected Charges

If you're unsure why Spotify is charging you, follow these steps to identify the source and take action:

  1. Check All Potential Spotify Accounts:

    • Try logging into Spotify using any email addresses you might have, as well as through Facebook or Google if you linked those accounts.
    • Once logged in, go to your Account Overview page (usually found by clicking your profile name in the top right corner).
    • Look for a section titled "Your plan" or "Subscription." It will show your current plan status (e.g., "Spotify Free," "Spotify Premium").
    • If you find an active Premium subscription on any of these accounts, this is likely the source of the charges.
  2. Review Your Bank or Card Statements:

    • Look for the exact charge description, date, and amount from Spotify. This information can help you identify when the subscription started and trace it back.
    • Sometimes, the charge might be labeled slightly differently (e.g., "Spotify Sweden").
  3. Check Your Email Inbox:

    • Search all your email accounts for "Spotify Premium," "subscription confirmation," "receipt," or "free trial." These emails often contain details about which account the subscription is tied to and when it started.
  4. Manage or Cancel Your Premium Plan:

    • If you locate an active Premium subscription you wish to cancel, you can usually do so directly from your Account Overview page on the Spotify website. Look for options like "Change Plan" or "Cancel Premium."
    • For detailed steps, visit the official Spotify support page on how to cancel Premium plans.
    • Note: Simply deleting the app or not using Spotify will not automatically stop the charges; you must actively cancel the subscription.
  5. Contact Spotify Support:

    • If you've checked all possible accounts and still cannot identify the source of the charge, or suspect unauthorized activity, contact Spotify Support directly. Provide them with the transaction details from your bank statement (date, amount, transaction ID if available) to help them locate the charge.

By systematically checking your accounts and payment records, you can typically pinpoint why Spotify is taking money out of your account and take the necessary steps to manage or cancel your subscription.