📋 Overview
If you've seen a charge on your card for a Search Atlas plan you don't recognize—such as a $199 Growth Plan fee when you have no active subscription or card on file—we understand how concerning that is. In most cases this is quickly explained and, where appropriate, refunded. This article walks you through the common reasons these charges appear and the exact steps to get the charge reviewed and reversed.
🔍 Common Reasons for an Unexpected Charge
Before requesting a refund, it helps to know the usual causes. One of these often explains the charge:
- A trial converted to a paid plan. Some plans begin with a free or discounted trial that automatically converts to a paid subscription unless cancelled before the trial ends.
- A previously saved payment method. A card may have been added during signup or an earlier session, even if it no longer appears in your current account view.
- A renewal on an older subscription. A subscription started in the past may have renewed on its normal billing cycle.
- A team or agency account. Another user on a shared or organization account may have started or upgraded a plan.
- A charge from a different email or account. The subscription may be tied to a separate Search Atlas account you created previously.
- A recent billing system migration. In a limited number of cases, our move to a new billing system recreated a subscription or add-on that had previously been cancelled, or that was included free or bundled with an annual plan, as a separate paid subscription—producing an unexpected monthly charge (for example, a previously free add-on re-billed at $199/month). We have identified the affected accounts, corrected the subscriptions so they won't charge again, and refunded charges made in error. If your charge dates to mid-May 2026 or later and matches this description, please mention it when you contact us so we can resolve it quickly.
✅ How to Check Your Account First
Taking two minutes to review your account often reveals the source of the charge and speeds up any refund.
- Log in to your Search Atlas dashboard.
- Click your avatar (top-right) and select Billing → Plans & Top-ups.
- Review your current plan and billing history for any matching charge.
- Check the Plans & Top-ups page (via Avatar → Billing) and use Add Payment Method to review or add a saved card.
- Confirm you are logged in with the same email address shown on the charge or receipt.
If you have more than one Search Atlas account, repeat these steps for each one. The charge is often tied to an account you don't normally use.
Note that some charges—particularly for add-ons or top-ups—may appear in your billing history without changing the plan shown on your dashboard, so review the full billing history rather than only your current plan.
💰 How to Request a Refund
If you've reviewed your account and still believe the charge is incorrect, our billing team can investigate and process a refund where it's warranted. To help us resolve it quickly, please gather a few details before reaching out.
📝 Information to Have Ready
- The charge amount and the date it appeared.
- The email address associated with your Search Atlas account.
- The last 4 digits of the card charged (never send the full card number).
- Any billing descriptor or transaction ID from your bank or card statement.
- Whether the charge appears to be for a plan, an add-on, or a top-up, if you can tell from the receipt—this helps us locate it faster.
- A short note confirming you have no active subscription and did not authorize the charge.
📤 Steps to Submit Your Request
- Contact our support team through the in-app chat or by emailing our billing support address.
- Include all of the details listed above in your first message.
- Let us know your preferred outcome—typically a full refund and confirmation that any related subscription is cancelled.
Providing this information upfront means we can usually locate the transaction and respond without needing to ask follow-up questions.
⏭️ What Happens Next
Once we receive your request, here's what to expect:
- Our team locates the transaction and identifies which account and plan it belongs to.
- If the charge was made in error or for an unactivated subscription, we process a refund.
- We confirm the refund in writing and cancel any associated subscription so it won't recur.
- Refunds are returned to the original payment method. Depending on your bank or card provider, it can take 5–10 business days for the funds to appear on your statement.
❓ If You Don't Recognize the Charge at All
If you have no Search Atlas account under any of your email addresses and still see a charge, it may be unauthorized card activity. In that case we recommend you:
- Contact us right away with the charge details and billing descriptor so we can investigate from our side.
- Contact your bank or card provider to report the charge and protect your account.
💡 Tips to Avoid Unexpected Charges
- Set a calendar reminder a day or two before any free trial ends.
- Remove saved payment methods you no longer wish to keep on file.
- Use a single email address for your Search Atlas account to avoid duplicates.
- Review your billing history periodically, especially on shared or agency accounts.
🙋 Need More Help?
Our support team is here to help resolve any billing concern. Reach out through in-app chat or email with the details above, and we'll review your charge and follow up as quickly as possible.