{"id":"google-play","page":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/#/c/google-play","html":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/c/google-play/","generated":"2026-10-15","company":{"id":"google-play","name":"Google Play (subscriptions and in-app purchases)","aliases":["google play store","play store","google play subscriptions","google play billing"],"sector":"subscription","parent":"Google LLC","website":"https://play.google.com","account_url":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions","official_domains":["google.com"],"security":{"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Someone asks you to buy a Google Play gift card and share the code to pay for something outside Google Play, for example taxes, bail, a government agency or a family emergency. Google says Google Play gift cards can only be used for purchases on Google Play, and if anyone asks you for a code, it could be a scam.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[{"id":"gift-card-scam-report","type":"web_form","label":"Report a Google Play gift card scam (form for people without a Google Account)","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/contact/gc_scam_report","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"Google says the person who reports must be the person affected by the scam, and to report to local police and the FTC first.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"regulators":["ftc"],"notes":"Covers subscriptions and purchases billed through Google Play. The app developer often decides refunds after 48 hours.","channels":[{"id":"subscriptions","type":"portal","label":"Google Play subscriptions page (cancel)","value":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions","purposes":["cancel_service"],"access":"login","notes":"Sign in to the Google Account that has the subscription, select it, then Cancel subscription.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"cancel-help-flow","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play cancel subscription self-help flow","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/workflow/9827184","purposes":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"refund-request","type":"web_form","label":"Request a Google Play refund","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay?p=refundAWF","purposes":["refund_request"],"access":"login","notes":"Or on play.google.com, Profile, Payments & subscriptions, Budget & order history, Report a problem.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"unauthorized-charges","type":"web_form","label":"Report unauthorized Google Play charges","value":"https://payments.google.com/payments/u/0/unauthorizedtransactions","purposes":["unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"contact-developer","type":"web_form","label":"Find the app developer's contact details","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113418","purposes":["refund_request","cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"escalation":[{"rung":"frontline","channel":"play-help-contact"},{"rung":"written_complaint"},{"rung":"payment_dispute","note":"Card dispute for charges after a cancellation."},{"rung":"regulator","regulator":"ftc"},{"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general"}],"playbooks":[{"issue":"cancel_service","summary":"Cancel in the Play Store subscriptions page; uninstalling the app does not cancel.","evidence":["cancellation confirmation","subscriptions page screenshot","any later charge"],"steps":[{"do":"Sign in to the Google Account that has the subscription, open the subscriptions page, select it and choose Cancel subscription.","channel":"subscriptions"},{"do":"If you cannot find it, check other Google Accounts you use, or use the self-help flow.","channel":"cancel-help-flow"},{"do":"If you are still charged, contact Google Play Help.","channel":"play-help-contact"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"\"When you uninstall the app, your subscription won't cancel.\" You keep access for the time you already paid for.","issues":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},{"issue":"refund_request","summary":"Within 48 hours, request a refund from Google Play; after 48 hours, ask the developer.","evidence":["order number from order history","purchase date and time"],"steps":[{"do":"Within 48 hours of the purchase, request the refund through Google Play.","channel":"refund-request"},{"do":"After 48 hours, contact the app developer; it processes refunds under its own policies and applicable law.","channel":"contact-developer"},{"do":"Submit only one request per transaction; repeats do not speed it up."}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Contact the app developer for a refund if \"it's been more than 48 hours since you made the purchase.\" Google usually decides a refund request within one day, and it can take up to four days.","issues":["refund_request"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"\"Your past subscriptions can't be refunded, with some exceptions.\" An unused prepaid plan can be refunded.","issues":["refund_request"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"Users in Israel, France, Germany or New York state may be able to cancel a subscription with immediate effect and get a partial refund prorated on the days left. Partial subscription refunds are not supported elsewhere.","issues":["refund_request","cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15576180?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"limit","claim":"\"You can only return an app or game for a refund once.\" Items bought together can only be refunded as a whole purchase.","issues":["refund_request"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574908?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},{"issue":"unauthorized_charge","summary":"Report a Google Play charge that no one you know made within 120 days; request a refund for a family member's accidental purchase.","evidence":["statement line","order number","date and amount"],"steps":[{"do":"If someone you know made the purchase by accident, request a refund instead of reporting it as unauthorized.","channel":"refund-request"},{"do":"If no one you know made it, report it as unauthorized within 120 days.","channel":"unauthorized-charges"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Report unauthorized Google Play charges \"within 120 days of the transaction.\"","issues":["unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"known_blockers":["Cancel, refund and contact pages need sign-in to the Google Account that made the purchase.","After 48 hours, refunds usually depend on the app developer, not Google."]},"playbooks":{"cancel_service":{"company":{"id":"google-play","name":"Google Play (subscriptions and in-app purchases)","sector":"subscription","website":"https://play.google.com","account_url":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions"},"issue":{"id":"cancel_service","name":"Cancellation problem"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Cancel in the Play Store subscriptions page; uninstalling the app does not cancel.","evidence":["cancellation confirmation","subscriptions page screenshot","any later charge"],"steps":[{"do":"Sign in to the Google Account that has the subscription, open the subscriptions page, select it and choose Cancel subscription.","channel":{"id":"subscriptions","type":"portal","label":"Google Play subscriptions page (cancel)","value":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions","purposes":["cancel_service"],"access":"login","notes":"Sign in to the Google Account that has the subscription, select it, then Cancel subscription.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If you cannot find it, check other Google Accounts you use, or use the self-help flow.","channel":{"id":"cancel-help-flow","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play cancel subscription self-help flow","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/workflow/9827184","purposes":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If you are still charged, contact Google Play Help.","channel":{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}}],"channels":[{"id":"subscriptions","type":"portal","label":"Google Play subscriptions page (cancel)","value":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions","purposes":["cancel_service"],"access":"login","notes":"Sign in to the Google Account that has the subscription, select it, then Cancel subscription.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"cancel-help-flow","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play cancel subscription self-help flow","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/workflow/9827184","purposes":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"contact-developer","type":"web_form","label":"Find the app developer's contact details","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113418","purposes":["refund_request","cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"\"When you uninstall the app, your subscription won't cancel.\" You keep access for the time you already paid for.","issues":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[{"id":"rosca-negative-option","title":"Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) negative option requirements","citation":"15 U.S.C. 8401-8405","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A seller that charges consumers online through a negative option feature (for example an automatic renewal or a free trial that converts to paid) must clearly disclose all material terms before taking billing information, get the consumer's express informed consent before charging, and provide simple mechanisms to stop recurring charges. The FTC enforces ROSCA.","source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8403","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points_omitted":2,"points":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Before obtaining the consumer's billing information, the seller must provide text that \"clearly and conspicuously discloses all material terms of the transaction\".","issues":["cancel_service","unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8403","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The seller must provide \"simple mechanisms for a consumer to stop recurring charges\" on the consumer's credit card, debit card, bank account or other financial account.","issues":["cancel_service"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8403","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A ROSCA violation is treated as a violation of an FTC rule on unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and the FTC enforces ROSCA with its FTC Act powers and penalties. Report violations to the FTC.","issues":["cancel_service","unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8404","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"not_in_force":[{"id":"ftc-click-to-cancel","title":"FTC \"Click-to-Cancel\" amendments to the Negative Option Rule (2024)","citation":"16 CFR part 425 (2024 amendments, published November 15, 2024)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"vacated","summary":"The FTC's 2024 amendments to the Negative Option Rule (\"click-to-cancel\") were vacated in full by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on July 8, 2025, and never took effect. Do not cite them. For online subscriptions, cite ROSCA (rules/rosca-negative-option) and applicable state automatic renewal laws instead.","source":"https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/25/07/243137P.pdf","last_verified":"2026-10-12","status_note":"Vacated in full by the Eighth Circuit on July 8, 2025 (Custom Communications, Inc. v. FTC, 142 F.4th 1060). The FTC removed the 2024 text effective February 12, 2026 and restored the pre-2024 prenotification rule. A new rulemaking is only at the ANPRM stage (March 13, 2026), with no proposed text as of 2026-10-12. What remains in force: ROSCA (rules/rosca-negative-option), Section 5 of the FTC Act, and state automatic renewal laws (for example rules/ca-automatic-renewal-law, rules/ny-automatic-renewal-law).","do_not_cite":"This rule is not in force. Do not cite it as current law."}]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"frontline","channel":{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"written_complaint","candidate_channels":[]},{"index":2,"rung":"payment_dispute","note":"Card dispute for charges after a cancellation.","rules":["fcba-billing-error","efta-reg-e"]},{"index":3,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"ftc","name":"Federal Trade Commission","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Report fraud, scams, identity theft and unfair or deceptive business practices, such as a company that blocks cancellation. The FTC does not resolve individual cases, so pursue your refund with the company, your card issuer or a state agency at the same time.","channels":[{"id":"reportfraud","type":"web_form","label":"ReportFraud.ftc.gov","value":"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/","purposes":["fraud","unauthorized_charge","cancel_service"],"notes":"For fraud, scams and bad business practices.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"identitytheft","type":"web_form","label":"IdentityTheft.gov (identity theft report and recovery plan)","value":"https://www.identitytheft.gov/","purposes":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"donotcall","type":"web_form","label":"National Do Not Call Registry (unwanted calls)","value":"https://www.donotcall.gov/","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"consumer-response-center","type":"phone","label":"Consumer Response Center (1-877-FTC-HELP)","value":"+1-877-382-4357","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"headquarters-mail","type":"mail","label":"FTC headquarters mailing address","value":"Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580","notes":"The contact page lists this headquarters address. Online reporting is the documented path for consumer reports.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The FTC and other agencies use reports to investigate and bring cases, but cannot resolve cases for individuals.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Reports go into a secure national database that law enforcement can use. FTC investigators, lawyers and analysts review reports to spot patterns and build cases.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/did-you-spot-scam-heres-what-do-next","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"After you submit a report, the FTC gives you steps to protect yourself or try to get your money back.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"The FTC collects reports; it does not mediate. A report number is still useful evidence for a card dispute or a state attorney general complaint. ReportFraud.ftc.gov was still the reporting path in an FTC consumer alert dated 2026-08-28."}},{"index":4,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."}],"known_blockers":["Cancel, refund and contact pages need sign-in to the Google Account that made the purchase.","After 48 hours, refunds usually depend on the app developer, not Google."],"security":{"official_domains":["google.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Someone asks you to buy a Google Play gift card and share the code to pay for something outside Google Play, for example taxes, bail, a government agency or a family emergency. Google says Google Play gift cards can only be used for purchases on Google Play, and if anyone asks you for a code, it could be a scam.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[{"id":"gift-card-scam-report","type":"web_form","label":"Report a Google Play gift card scam (form for people without a Google Account)","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/contact/gc_scam_report","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"Google says the person who reports must be the person affected by the scam, and to report to local police and the FTC first.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":14},"verified_from":{"page":14},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 14 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":null},"context":{"dossier":false,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Covers subscriptions and purchases billed through Google Play. The app developer often decides refunds after 48 hours.","warnings":[]},"refund_request":{"company":{"id":"google-play","name":"Google Play (subscriptions and in-app purchases)","sector":"subscription","website":"https://play.google.com","account_url":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions"},"issue":{"id":"refund_request","name":"Refund request"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Within 48 hours, request a refund from Google Play; after 48 hours, ask the developer.","evidence":["order number from order history","purchase date and time"],"steps":[{"do":"Within 48 hours of the purchase, request the refund through Google Play.","channel":{"id":"refund-request","type":"web_form","label":"Request a Google Play refund","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay?p=refundAWF","purposes":["refund_request"],"access":"login","notes":"Or on play.google.com, Profile, Payments & subscriptions, Budget & order history, Report a problem.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"After 48 hours, contact the app developer; it processes refunds under its own policies and applicable law.","channel":{"id":"contact-developer","type":"web_form","label":"Find the app developer's contact details","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113418","purposes":["refund_request","cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Submit only one request per transaction; repeats do not speed it up."}],"channels":[{"id":"refund-request","type":"web_form","label":"Request a Google Play refund","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay?p=refundAWF","purposes":["refund_request"],"access":"login","notes":"Or on play.google.com, Profile, Payments & subscriptions, Budget & order history, Report a problem.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"contact-developer","type":"web_form","label":"Find the app developer's contact details","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113418","purposes":["refund_request","cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Contact the app developer for a refund if \"it's been more than 48 hours since you made the purchase.\" Google usually decides a refund request within one day, and it can take up to four days.","issues":["refund_request"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"\"Your past subscriptions can't be refunded, with some exceptions.\" An unused prepaid plan can be refunded.","issues":["refund_request"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"Users in Israel, France, Germany or New York state may be able to cancel a subscription with immediate effect and get a partial refund prorated on the days left. Partial subscription refunds are not supported elsewhere.","issues":["refund_request","cancel_service"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15576180?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"limit","claim":"\"You can only return an app or game for a refund once.\" Items bought together can only be refunded as a whole purchase.","issues":["refund_request"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574908?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"frontline","channel":{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"written_complaint","candidate_channels":[]},{"index":2,"rung":"payment_dispute","note":"Card dispute for charges after a cancellation.","rules":["fcba-billing-error","efta-reg-e"]},{"index":3,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"ftc","name":"Federal Trade Commission","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Report fraud, scams, identity theft and unfair or deceptive business practices, such as a company that blocks cancellation. The FTC does not resolve individual cases, so pursue your refund with the company, your card issuer or a state agency at the same time.","channels":[{"id":"reportfraud","type":"web_form","label":"ReportFraud.ftc.gov","value":"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/","purposes":["fraud","unauthorized_charge","cancel_service"],"notes":"For fraud, scams and bad business practices.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"identitytheft","type":"web_form","label":"IdentityTheft.gov (identity theft report and recovery plan)","value":"https://www.identitytheft.gov/","purposes":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"donotcall","type":"web_form","label":"National Do Not Call Registry (unwanted calls)","value":"https://www.donotcall.gov/","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"consumer-response-center","type":"phone","label":"Consumer Response Center (1-877-FTC-HELP)","value":"+1-877-382-4357","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"headquarters-mail","type":"mail","label":"FTC headquarters mailing address","value":"Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580","notes":"The contact page lists this headquarters address. Online reporting is the documented path for consumer reports.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The FTC and other agencies use reports to investigate and bring cases, but cannot resolve cases for individuals.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Reports go into a secure national database that law enforcement can use. FTC investigators, lawyers and analysts review reports to spot patterns and build cases.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/did-you-spot-scam-heres-what-do-next","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"After you submit a report, the FTC gives you steps to protect yourself or try to get your money back.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"The FTC collects reports; it does not mediate. A report number is still useful evidence for a card dispute or a state attorney general complaint. ReportFraud.ftc.gov was still the reporting path in an FTC consumer alert dated 2026-08-28."}},{"index":4,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."}],"known_blockers":["Cancel, refund and contact pages need sign-in to the Google Account that made the purchase.","After 48 hours, refunds usually depend on the app developer, not Google."],"security":{"official_domains":["google.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Someone asks you to buy a Google Play gift card and share the code to pay for something outside Google Play, for example taxes, bail, a government agency or a family emergency. Google says Google Play gift cards can only be used for purchases on Google Play, and if anyone asks you for a code, it could be a scam.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[{"id":"gift-card-scam-report","type":"web_form","label":"Report a Google Play gift card scam (form for people without a Google Account)","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/contact/gc_scam_report","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"Google says the person who reports must be the person affected by the scam, and to report to local police and the FTC first.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":14},"verified_from":{"page":14},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 14 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":null},"context":{"dossier":false,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Covers subscriptions and purchases billed through Google Play. The app developer often decides refunds after 48 hours.","warnings":[]},"unauthorized_charge":{"company":{"id":"google-play","name":"Google Play (subscriptions and in-app purchases)","sector":"subscription","website":"https://play.google.com","account_url":"https://play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions"},"issue":{"id":"unauthorized_charge","name":"Unauthorized charge"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Report a Google Play charge that no one you know made within 120 days; request a refund for a family member's accidental purchase.","evidence":["statement line","order number","date and amount"],"steps":[{"do":"If someone you know made the purchase by accident, request a refund instead of reporting it as unauthorized.","channel":{"id":"refund-request","type":"web_form","label":"Request a Google Play refund","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay?p=refundAWF","purposes":["refund_request"],"access":"login","notes":"Or on play.google.com, Profile, Payments & subscriptions, Budget & order history, Report a problem.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If no one you know made it, report it as unauthorized within 120 days.","channel":{"id":"unauthorized-charges","type":"web_form","label":"Report unauthorized Google Play charges","value":"https://payments.google.com/payments/u/0/unauthorizedtransactions","purposes":["unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}}],"channels":[{"id":"unauthorized-charges","type":"web_form","label":"Report unauthorized Google Play charges","value":"https://payments.google.com/payments/u/0/unauthorizedtransactions","purposes":["unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/15574897?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Report unauthorized Google Play charges \"within 120 days of the transaction.\"","issues":["unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2479637?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[{"id":"rosca-negative-option","title":"Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) negative option requirements","citation":"15 U.S.C. 8401-8405","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A seller that charges consumers online through a negative option feature (for example an automatic renewal or a free trial that converts to paid) must clearly disclose all material terms before taking billing information, get the consumer's express informed consent before charging, and provide simple mechanisms to stop recurring charges. The FTC enforces ROSCA.","source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8403","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points_omitted":1,"points":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Before obtaining the consumer's billing information, the seller must provide text that \"clearly and conspicuously discloses all material terms of the transaction\".","issues":["cancel_service","unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8403","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The seller must obtain \"a consumer's express informed consent before charging the consumer's credit card, debit card, bank account, or other financial account\".","issues":["unauthorized_charge","billing_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8403","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"A post-transaction third-party seller may not charge a consumer for an online sale unless it discloses the material terms and gets express informed consent, including the consumer's full account number, before charging. An initial merchant may not pass a customer's account number or other billing information to such a seller.","issues":["unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8402","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A ROSCA violation is treated as a violation of an FTC rule on unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and the FTC enforces ROSCA with its FTC Act powers and penalties. Report violations to the FTC.","issues":["cancel_service","unauthorized_charge"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/8404","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"frontline","channel":{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"written_complaint","candidate_channels":[]},{"index":2,"rung":"payment_dispute","note":"Card dispute for charges after a cancellation.","rules":["fcba-billing-error","efta-reg-e"]},{"index":3,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"ftc","name":"Federal Trade Commission","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Report fraud, scams, identity theft and unfair or deceptive business practices, such as a company that blocks cancellation. The FTC does not resolve individual cases, so pursue your refund with the company, your card issuer or a state agency at the same time.","channels":[{"id":"reportfraud","type":"web_form","label":"ReportFraud.ftc.gov","value":"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/","purposes":["fraud","unauthorized_charge","cancel_service"],"notes":"For fraud, scams and bad business practices.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"identitytheft","type":"web_form","label":"IdentityTheft.gov (identity theft report and recovery plan)","value":"https://www.identitytheft.gov/","purposes":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"donotcall","type":"web_form","label":"National Do Not Call Registry (unwanted calls)","value":"https://www.donotcall.gov/","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"consumer-response-center","type":"phone","label":"Consumer Response Center (1-877-FTC-HELP)","value":"+1-877-382-4357","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"headquarters-mail","type":"mail","label":"FTC headquarters mailing address","value":"Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580","notes":"The contact page lists this headquarters address. Online reporting is the documented path for consumer reports.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The FTC and other agencies use reports to investigate and bring cases, but cannot resolve cases for individuals.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Reports go into a secure national database that law enforcement can use. FTC investigators, lawyers and analysts review reports to spot patterns and build cases.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/did-you-spot-scam-heres-what-do-next","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"After you submit a report, the FTC gives you steps to protect yourself or try to get your money back.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"The FTC collects reports; it does not mediate. A report number is still useful evidence for a card dispute or a state attorney general complaint. ReportFraud.ftc.gov was still the reporting path in an FTC consumer alert dated 2026-08-28."}},{"index":4,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."}],"known_blockers":["Cancel, refund and contact pages need sign-in to the Google Account that made the purchase.","After 48 hours, refunds usually depend on the app developer, not Google."],"security":{"official_domains":["google.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Someone asks you to buy a Google Play gift card and share the code to pay for something outside Google Play, for example taxes, bail, a government agency or a family emergency. Google says Google Play gift cards can only be used for purchases on Google Play, and if anyone asks you for a code, it could be a scam.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[{"id":"gift-card-scam-report","type":"web_form","label":"Report a Google Play gift card scam (form for people without a Google Account)","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/contact/gc_scam_report","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"Google says the person who reports must be the person affected by the scam, and to report to local police and the FTC first.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":14},"verified_from":{"page":14},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 14 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":null},"context":{"dossier":false,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Covers subscriptions and purchases billed through Google Play. The app developer often decides refunds after 48 hours.","warnings":[]}},"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"frontline","channel":{"id":"play-help-contact","type":"web_form","label":"Google Play Help contact us","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/gethelp","purposes":["cancel_service","refund_request","billing_error"],"access":"login","notes":"The page redirects to Google sign-in.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7018481?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"written_complaint","candidate_channels":[]},{"index":2,"rung":"payment_dispute","note":"Card dispute for charges after a cancellation.","rules":["fcba-billing-error","efta-reg-e"]},{"index":3,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"ftc","name":"Federal Trade Commission","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Report fraud, scams, identity theft and unfair or deceptive business practices, such as a company that blocks cancellation. The FTC does not resolve individual cases, so pursue your refund with the company, your card issuer or a state agency at the same time.","channels":[{"id":"reportfraud","type":"web_form","label":"ReportFraud.ftc.gov","value":"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/","purposes":["fraud","unauthorized_charge","cancel_service"],"notes":"For fraud, scams and bad business practices.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"identitytheft","type":"web_form","label":"IdentityTheft.gov (identity theft report and recovery plan)","value":"https://www.identitytheft.gov/","purposes":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"donotcall","type":"web_form","label":"National Do Not Call Registry (unwanted calls)","value":"https://www.donotcall.gov/","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"consumer-response-center","type":"phone","label":"Consumer Response Center (1-877-FTC-HELP)","value":"+1-877-382-4357","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"headquarters-mail","type":"mail","label":"FTC headquarters mailing address","value":"Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580","notes":"The contact page lists this headquarters address. Online reporting is the documented path for consumer reports.","source":"https://www.ftc.gov/contact","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The FTC and other agencies use reports to investigate and bring cases, but cannot resolve cases for individuals.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Reports go into a secure national database that law enforcement can use. FTC investigators, lawyers and analysts review reports to spot patterns and build cases.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/did-you-spot-scam-heres-what-do-next","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"After you submit a report, the FTC gives you steps to protect yourself or try to get your money back.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/04/reporting-fraud-101-protect-your-community-reporting-scams","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"The FTC collects reports; it does not mediate. A report number is still useful evidence for a card dispute or a state attorney general complaint. ReportFraud.ftc.gov was still the reporting path in an FTC consumer alert dated 2026-08-28."}},{"index":4,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."}],"security":{"official_domains":["google.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Someone asks you to buy a Google Play gift card and share the code to pay for something outside Google Play, for example taxes, bail, a government agency or a family emergency. Google says Google Play gift cards can only be used for purchases on Google Play, and if anyone asks you for a code, it could be a scam.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[{"id":"gift-card-scam-report","type":"web_form","label":"Report a Google Play gift card scam (form for people without a Google Account)","value":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/contact/gc_scam_report","purposes":["fraud"],"notes":"Google says the person who reports must be the person affected by the scam, and to report to local police and the FTC first.","source":"https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/9057338?hl=en","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":14},"verified_from":{"page":14},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 14 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":null},"dossier":null,"guide":{"key":"subscription","title":"Subscriptions — how complaints work","last_verified":"2026-10-12","file":"guides/subscription.md","page":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/#/guides/subscription"}}