📌 Overview
Seeing a charge from Search Atlas that you don't recognize can be stressful. This article explains how to find out what the charge is for, how to stop future billing, how to close your account, and how to request a refund review. Following these steps helps our team resolve your request faster.
🔍 Step 1: Identify the Charge
Before requesting a refund, it helps to confirm where the charge came from. Search Atlas charges usually come from one of the following:
- A paid plan you or a teammate started, including a trial that converted to a paid plan
- An annual or multi-month plan billed upfront, which can appear as a larger amount than a typical monthly charge
- An add-on, extra seat, or additional project or location added to your account
- An automatic renewal of an existing subscription
To check, look for a confirmation or receipt message in the inbox of any email address you may have used to sign up. Search for the name Search Atlas. Also check whether a colleague, agency partner, or team member may have created an account using your company details or payment card.
🧾 Step 2: Review Your Billing Details in the Platform
If you can log in, you can see your plan and billing history directly in your account.
- Log in to your Search Atlas account.
- Open your account or profile settings.
- Go to the Billing or Subscription section. Menu names can vary slightly.
- Review your current plan, billing date, amount, and invoice history.
If the amount matches an invoice here, you can see which plan and billing period it covers. If you can't log in, or you don't recognize the account, go to Step 5 and speak with our team.
🛑 Step 3: Cancel Your Subscription to Stop Future Charges
If you don't want to continue with Search Atlas, cancel your subscription so you aren't billed again.
- Log in and open the Billing or Subscription section.
- Select the option to cancel your plan.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.
- Check that your plan now shows as canceled or set to end, and save any confirmation you receive.
Cancelling stops future renewals. It does not automatically refund a charge that has already been made, so a refund must be requested separately (see Step 4).
💰 Step 4: Request a Refund Review
If you believe a charge was made in error or without your authorization, you can ask our team to review it. To help us look into it quickly, have the following information ready:
- The exact amount charged and the date it appeared
- The last four digits of the card used (never share your full card number)
- The email address associated with the Search Atlas account, if you know it
- A short explanation of why you believe the charge was unauthorized or unexpected
- Whether you want the account closed as well
Our team will review the account, confirm what the charge relates to, and explain the options available. Refund eligibility depends on your plan, billing terms, and the circumstances of the charge, so we can't guarantee an outcome in advance. Each request is reviewed individually.
🗑️ Step 5: Close Your Account
If you want your account closed, tell our team when you request your refund review. Closing an account is a separate action from cancelling a subscription, and it may remove access to your projects, reports, and saved data. If you may need any of that information later, export or save it before closing.
If you don't recognize the account at all, let our team know. They can help confirm whether the account was created using your details and take the appropriate steps to secure or close it.
🔐 Protecting Your Account and Payment Details
To reduce the chance of unexpected charges in the future, we recommend the following:
- Check who in your organization has access to your Search Atlas account and payment methods
- Use a strong, unique password and keep it private
- Note the end date of any free trial and cancel before it if you don't want to continue
- Review the plan and billing period (monthly or annual) before confirming any purchase
- Keep receipts and confirmation messages for your records
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why was I charged if I don't remember subscribing?
Charges can come from a trial that converted to a paid plan, a renewal, or an account created by someone else using your card. Reviewing your billing history or contacting our team can confirm the source.
Will cancelling give me a refund automatically?
No. Cancelling stops future billing only. Refunds are reviewed separately by our team.
Can I get a refund and have my account closed in one request?
Yes. Tell our team you want both, and include the details listed in Step 4.
How long does a refund take?
If a refund is approved, processing time can vary depending on your card issuer. Our team can tell you what to expect when they review your request.
What if I can't log in?
You can still reach our team through the chat widget on the platform. Share the charge details from Step 4 and they will help you from there.
💬 Need Help From Our Team?
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.