💳 Unintended Growth Plan Charge Refund

Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🔍 Recognizing the Charge

If you see a charge on your bank or credit card statement labeled SA GROUP* SEO SOFTWARE NEW YORK NY, this is a Search Atlas subscription charge. A $199 charge typically corresponds to the Search Atlas Growth plan.

This charge may appear unexpected if you did not intentionally complete a subscription sign-up, or if a billing issue caused your account to be enrolled without your direct confirmation.

⚠️ Why This Can Happen

Our engineering team has identified and resolved several billing system issues that, in some cases, caused customers to be charged for a Growth plan subscription unintentionally. These issues have been hotfixed. However, if you have been affected, you are entitled to request a cancellation and refund.

🛠️ What To Do Right Away

  1. Check your account: Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Avatar (top-right corner) > Billing to confirm whether a Growth plan subscription is active on your account.
  2. Note the charge date: Find the exact date and amount of the charge on your bank or card statement. This information will be needed when you contact support.
  3. Act quickly: Refund requests are easiest to process within 72 hours of the charge. If you are outside this window, a refund exception may still be possible — see the section below.

💬 How To Request a Cancellation and Refund

Because account cancellations and refund approvals must be handled by our billing team, you cannot complete this process through self-serve settings alone. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform.

  2. Type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

  3. Share the following details with the agent:

    • The charge amount (e.g., $199)
    • The charge date (e.g., 5/31/2026)
    • The statement descriptor you see (e.g., SA GROUP* SEO SOFTWARE NEW YORK NY)
    • A brief note that you did not intend to subscribe to the Growth plan
  4. The agent will cancel the subscription and file a refund request on your behalf.

⏱️ What To Expect After You Request a Refund

Here is a realistic timeline of what happens after your request is submitted:

  • Within 72 hours of the charge: Refund requests are typically approved and processed to your original payment method without escalation.
  • After 72 hours: A standard refund may be initially declined per our billing policy. If this happens, our team can escalate your case for a refund exception review. Exception approvals have been granted for customers affected by unintended or system-triggered charges.
  • Account credit offer: In some cases, our team may offer an account credit instead of a cash refund. You are not required to accept this — you may request that your case be escalated for a full refund to your original payment method.
  • Refund processing time: Once approved, refunds are returned to your original payment method. Depending on your bank or card issuer, funds typically appear within 5–10 business days.

📋 Tips for a Faster Resolution

  • Contact support as soon as you notice the charge — the sooner you reach out, the smoother the process.
  • Have your billing statement or a screenshot of the charge ready before starting the chat.
  • If you are told the refund is outside the standard window, explicitly ask the agent to escalate for a refund exception. This has been approved for customers in similar situations.
  • Keep a note of the agent name and any case or ticket reference number provided during your conversation.

🙋 Still Need Help?

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.