Manage Been Verified

How to cancel been verified and reclaim your money as an australian consumer

What been verified is and why australians use it

Been Verified is a US-based people-search and background-check service that pools public records, property listings, phone directories, and online data into searchable reports. You pay a subscription fee (usually a small trial followed by recurring membership charges) to access a fixed number of searches or unlimited lookups during your membership period. The service markets itself as a way to find address history, criminal records, phone and email connections, and public-record results.

In practice, the value varies significantly. Some Australian users find the reports genuinely useful for vetting tenants, reconnecting with old contacts, or personal research. Others discover the data is outdated, incomplete, or simply not relevant to their needs. Pricing and billing routes also matter: some subscriptions are charged directly by Been Verified, while others route through app marketplaces, which changes how refunds work.

If you've already signed up and are now questioning whether it's worth keeping, Stopee has helped thousands of Australian consumers understand their cancellation rights and recover unintended charges.

Why australians commonly cancel been verified

The biggest reason people cancel is a surprise billing shock. You sign up for a trial at a token fee (often around A$1.49 for 7 days), intend to cancel before it renews, and then discover months later that recurring charges have been stacking up on your credit card. A second wave of cancellations comes from users who tried the service once, found the search results disappointing or outdated, and see no reason to pay for a second month.

Trust breakdowns also drive cancellations. Reviews consistently mention unclear auto-renewal terms, difficulty locating the cancellation button, and frustration when disputes over billing take weeks to resolve. If you recognise yourself in any of these scenarios, you have more consumer protection than you might realise.

How subscription renewal typically works

Been Verified usually operates on an automatic renewal model. You pay a small trial fee upfront, and your membership converts to a full-price recurring subscription unless you cancel before the trial window closes. Membership cycles are typically monthly or quarterly, and each cycle renews automatically until you stop it.

Where you bought the subscription matters significantly. If you purchased directly from beenverified.com, Been Verified processes your refund. If you bought through an app marketplace (Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon), the marketplace handles billing and refunds instead. This distinction shapes your cancellation timeline and your leverage if a dispute arises.

Pricing and plan options at a glance

Note: prices shown are approximate conversions from US pricing; your actual charge depends on exchange rates and your billing method at the time of purchase.

Your australian consumer rights before you cancel

Australia's consumer protection laws give you real leverage, and understanding them strengthens your cancellation and refund case. Stopee recommends reviewing these rights before you contact Been Verified.

What the australian consumer law protects you for

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), requires that goods and services are of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered safely. If Been Verified's search results are inaccurate, incomplete, or fail to deliver what was promised, the service fails the "acceptable quality" test, and you have grounds for a refund or cancellation regardless of the contract terms.

Auto-renewal traps are also covered. If Been Verified failed to give you clear, upfront notice of the auto-renewal terms before you paid, or if the renewal occurred without affirmative consent from you, the ACCC views this as misleading conduct. This is a powerful lever: if the company cannot prove you explicitly agreed to auto-renewal in advance, you may be entitled to a full refund of all recurring charges.

When to escalate to the ACCC

If Been Verified refuses a refund or delays unreasonably, you can lodge a complaint with the ACCC. The ACCC takes auto-renewal disputes seriously and has successfully pursued traders who bury cancellation buttons or fail to send clear renewal reminders. Stopee advises gathering evidence: screenshots of the signup flow, your bank statement, any emails from Been Verified, and a written record of your cancellation request and the date you submitted it.

How to cancel been verified step by step

Your cancellation method depends on where you bought the subscription and which device you use. Each path is straightforward if you follow the steps in order.

Cancelling if you signed up directly on the been verified website

1. Go to beenverified.com and log into your account using your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, select "Forgot password?" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
2. Look for "Account Settings" or "My Account" in the main menu (usually top-right of the dashboard).
   • Scroll down to find "Manage Subscription" or "Billing & Subscription" options.
3. Select "Cancel My Account" or "Cancel Subscription" (the exact wording varies, but it will be clear).
   • Pro tip: Before clicking, screenshot the page showing the cancellation button and today's date, so you have proof of intent if a dispute later arises.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. Been Verified typically asks why you're leaving (optional) and offers a retention discount or alternative plan.
   • You are not obligated to accept a discount offer; proceed to confirm cancellation.
5. Look for a confirmation message or email. The screen should display "Your subscription has been cancelled" or similar.
   • Save or screenshot this confirmation immediately.
6. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Been Verified within 24 hours.
   • Warning: If no email arrives within one business day, log back in and confirm that the account shows "Inactive" or "Cancelled" status. If it still shows as active, contact support (see below).

Cancelling if you signed up via the apple app store or google play

If you purchased a Been Verified subscription through an app, the app store handles billing and refunds, not Been Verified directly.

1. Open the app store (Apple App Store on iPhone/iPad, or Google Play Store on Android).
   • Do not try to cancel within the Been Verified app itself; the app store controls the subscription.
2. For iPhone/iPad: Tap your profile icon (top-right), select "Subscriptions," find Been Verified, and tap "Cancel Subscription."
   • Confirm the cancellation.
3. For Android: Open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions" > "Subscriptions," find Been Verified, and tap "Cancel."
   • Confirm the cancellation.
4. You will receive a cancellation confirmation in your email linked to the app store account.
   • Pro tip: If you are seeking a refund for multiple past charges, contact the app store's support team separately; they can sometimes issue refunds for up to 90 days of prior charges if you explain that the service was not fit for purpose.

Cancelling via phone if the website or app method fails

If you cannot cancel online or you have already tried and the subscription is still active, call Been Verified's customer support line. Warning: phone lines may have high wait times, so allow at least 30 minutes.

1. Dial Been Verified's main support line (search "Been Verified customer service Australia" to confirm the current number, as it may change).
   • Have your account email, full name, and the last four digits of your payment method ready.
2. Tell the support agent clearly: "I want to cancel my subscription effective immediately."
   • Do not phrase it as a question; state it as a clear request.
3. Ask the agent to confirm the cancellation date and provide a reference number for your call.
   • Write down both pieces of information before you hang up.
4. Request that the agent email you a cancellation confirmation to your registered account email.
   • Check your email within 24 hours and save the confirmation.

Using live chat if you prefer not to call

Been Verified offers live chat on beenverified.com during business hours. Open a chat session, provide your account email, and request cancellation. Stopee recommends screenshotting the chat log before you close the window, as chat histories can disappear if you navigate away or refresh the page.

What happens after you cancel been verified

Cancellation does not always mean immediate access loss, and understanding the timeline helps you avoid panic or confusion.

When your access ends

In most cases, Been Verified does not cut off your access immediately upon cancellation. Instead, your membership continues through the end of the current billing cycle. If you cancelled on the 10th of the month but your next renewal date is the 20th, you retain full access until the 20th. After that date, your account becomes inactive.

This delay is actually your protection: it gives you time to verify that Been Verified has truly stopped renewing your subscription before it can charge you again.

Verifying cancellation took effect

1. Log into your Been Verified account 7-10 days after your cancellation request.
   • Your account should display a "Cancelled" status or warning that access expires on a specific date.
2. Check your bank or credit card statement 1-2 weeks after the expected renewal date.
   • Confirm that no new Been Verified charge appears on the date your membership was scheduled to renew.
3. If a charge does appear, escalate immediately using the refund process below.

Refunds and what you are entitled to recover

Refund eligibility depends on how long ago you were charged, whether the service was fit for purpose, and which refund path you use.

Refunds for failed or inaccurate services

If Been Verified's reports were incomplete, inaccurate, or failed to deliver what the marketing promised, you have grounds for a full refund under the Australian Consumer Law. Stopee advises requesting a refund explicitly on this basis: "The service did not match the description; the data was inaccurate/incomplete, making it unfit for purpose."

Refunds for auto-renewal traps

If you can show that Been Verified renewed your subscription without clear prior notice or affirmative consent from you, the ACCC typically views this as misleading conduct, and you may recover all recurring charges. Screenshot your bank statement showing the charges, and include them in your refund request.

How to request a refund if you signed up directly

1. Log into your Been Verified account and navigate to "Contact Us" or "Support."
   • Select "Billing" or "Refund Request" from the category menu.
2. Write a clear, factual email explaining why you deserve a refund:
   • "I cancelled my subscription on [date]. The service did not meet my expectations because [reason]. I request a refund of [amount and dates]."
3. Attach screenshots of:
   • Your bank statement showing the charges.
   • Your account cancellation confirmation.
   • Any misleading marketing or unclear renewal terms (if applicable).
4. Send the request and wait 5-7 business days for a response.
   • Pro tip: Send the refund request to both the contact form and any support email address you find on the website; this increases the chance that your request reaches the right department.
5. If Been Verified denies the refund or ignores you after 10 business days, escalate to the ACCC (see "Your Australian consumer rights" above).
   • The ACCC will investigate for free and may force Been Verified to pay if the evidence supports your claim.

Refunds if you bought via app store

Contact your app store (Apple or Google) instead of Been Verified. App stores often refund subscriptions within 90 days if you explain that the service was not fit for purpose.

Mistakes to avoid when you cancel

Cancellation can feel stressful, especially if you've discovered unexpected charges, but a few common missteps can weaken your position if a refund dispute later arises.

Mistake 1: deleting emails or cancellation confirmation

After you cancel, your natural instinct might be to clean up your inbox. Resist it. Save every email from Been Verified, including the cancellation confirmation, the original signup email (which may contain auto-renewal disclosures), and any refund correspondence. If a dispute escalates to the ACCC or a chargeback, these emails are your evidence.

Mistake 2: attempting to cancel inside the app instead of the app store

If you bought via Apple or Google, cancelling within the Been Verified app does nothing. The subscription persists and keeps renewing because the app store controls it, not the app. You must go directly to your app store settings to cancel.

Mistake 3: not confirming the cancellation immediately

Do not assume the cancellation worked just because you clicked a button. Log back in within 24 hours and verify your account shows as cancelled or inactive. If it still shows as active, contact support again and ask for a reference number and email confirmation.

Mistake 4: ignoring a charge after you thought you cancelled

If a charge appears on your bank statement after your intended cancellation date, contact your bank immediately and explain that Been Verified renewed your subscription without consent. Your bank can often reverse the charge (chargeback) within 60-90 days. At the same time, contact Been Verified in writing and ask for a refund. Having both streams of action open keeps your options alive.

What to do if been verified keeps charging you after cancellation

If you cancelled but charges keep appearing, you have several escalation levers, and Stopee recommends using them in sequence.

Step 1: confirm the account is actually cancelled

Log in to your Been Verified account. If it still shows as active or if you cannot log in (a sign the account may have been deactivated due to unpaid charges or an error), contact Been Verified immediately and ask for written confirmation that your subscription is cancelled as of a specific date.

Step 2: request a full refund in writing

Send an email to Been Verified's support address with the subject line "Refund request for unauthorised charges after cancellation." Include:

• Your account email.
• The date you cancelled.
• Screenshots of your bank statement showing the unwanted charges after the cancellation date.
• A clear statement: "I cancelled on [date]. Charges on [dates] occurred after cancellation and were unauthorised. I request a full refund of [amount]."

Specify a response deadline: "Please respond within 10 business days or I will escalate this complaint to the ACCC and dispute the charges with my bank."

Step 3: dispute via your bank (chargeback)

Contact your bank or credit card provider and report the unauthorised charges. Explain that you cancelled the subscription and the company continued charging you anyway. Your bank can reverse the charges (initiate a chargeback) within 60-120 days of the original transaction, depending on your bank's policy. Provide your cancellation confirmation and bank statements as evidence.

Step 4: lodge a complaint with the ACCC

If Been Verified ignores your refund request or your bank's chargeback attempt fails, file a complaint with the ACCC via accc.gov.au. The ACCC has enforcement powers and can pursue the company for misleading auto-renewal practices. This step is free and often results in a refund if the evidence is clear.

Checklist: before, during and after cancellation

Key points to remember when you cancel

Been Verified is not difficult to cancel if you follow the right method for your purchase channel and stay alert after you submit your request. Your Australian Consumer Law rights protect you against auto-renewal traps and unfit services. If Been Verified pushes back on a refund, you have the ACCC and your bank as escalation points.

Stopee has helped thousands of Australian consumers navigate subscription cancellations, understand their refund rights, and recover unauthorised charges. Your cancellation matters, and so does your money.

Start by choosing the right cancellation method above (website, app store, or phone), keep your confirmation, and monitor your bank statement. If Been Verified continues to charge you after cancellation, escalate without hesitation. You are not stuck, and Stopee's detailed guides are here to empower you to take control.