Manage Checkpeople

How to cancel checkpeople and protect your wallet in canada

What is checkpeople and why you might want to cancel

Checkpeople is a subscription-based background search service that sells access to aggregated public records and people-finding reports. The company operates from the United States and markets low introductory offers, often starting at US$1 for a 5-day trial that automatically converts into recurring monthly charges of US$44.85 or more.

Many Canadian subscribers sign up for the trial with the intention to cancel before charges escalate, only to discover that the cancellation process is deliberately obscured. At Stopee, we've tracked hundreds of cancellation complaints where customers faced hidden billing, failed cancellation attempts, and refusal to honour advertised trial terms. If you've noticed unexpected charges on your credit card statement or you're concerned about unauthorized renewals, you're not alone, and this guide will walk you through every step to stop the charges and recover what you're owed.

Common reasons to cancel checkpeople

You may decide to cancel for several valid reasons: you completed your background search and no longer need ongoing access; you discovered the trial converted to a paid subscription without clear consent; the service charged you in foreign currency (US dollars) without transparent conversion rates; or you simply changed your mind and want to stop future billing. Whatever your reason, cancelling promptly is your first line of defence against accumulating charges.

Why acting fast matters

Checkpeople bills on a recurring monthly schedule. Every day you delay cancellation risks another charge posting to your account. The company will not refund you automatically once your billing date passes, so you must initiate cancellation at least three business days before your next scheduled charge. Document the date you submit your cancellation request and confirm when the company acknowledges it, because this proof becomes critical if you need to dispute charges later.

Your consumer rights in canada and federal protections

Canadian law provides you with important protections against deceptive subscription practices, even though they differ by province.

Federal protections under the competition act

The federal Competition Act prohibits false or misleading advertising. If Checkpeople advertised a "US$1 trial" but automatically enrolled you in a higher recurring charge without obtaining clear, affirmative consent beforehand, that practice may violate the Act. The Competition Act applies across all provinces and territories, making it a powerful lever if the company refuses to refund unauthorized charges. You can file a complaint with the Competition Bureau if you believe you were misled.

Provincial consumer protection laws

Each Canadian province has its own consumer protection statute. Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, British Columbia's Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, and similar laws in other provinces all restrict unfair contract terms and require companies to obtain informed consent before charging you. These laws generally do not include a universal 14-day "cooling-off" period for digital content that begins immediately (unlike the EU), but they do prohibit deceptive practices and unauthorized billing. If you can show that Checkpeople deceived you about the trial terms or failed to obtain your clear, written consent to recurring charges, you have grounds to demand a refund and may escalate to your provincial consumer protection authority.

What stopee recommends for your rights

Keep detailed records of every interaction: screenshots of the signup page, confirmation emails, your cancellation request, the company's response (or silence), and your payment statements. These documents are your evidence if you need to file a complaint with your provincial regulator or dispute the charge with your credit card company. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers strengthen their case by organizing this evidence before escalation.

How to cancel checkpeople step by step

Follow this sequence to cancel your subscription and establish a paper trail that proves you requested cancellation.

Method 1: contact customer support by phone or email

1. Call Checkpeople customer support at 1-800-267-1222 during business hours (the company operates from the United States, so verify the time zone before calling).
   • Have your account email, full name, and any transaction reference numbers ready.
   • Clearly state: "I want to cancel my subscription immediately and revoke authorization for future charges."
   • Ask the representative to confirm the cancellation in writing via email within 24 hours.
2. If you reach customer support, request that they send you a written confirmation email that includes your account email, cancellation date, and confirmation that no further charges will be processed.
   • Do not hang up until you have this promise in writing.
3. If the phone line is unavailable or you prefer email, send a message to support@checkpeople.com with the subject line "Request for immediate subscription cancellation."
   • Include your full name, account email address, current billing date, and a clear statement: "I hereby revoke authorization for all future recurring charges and request immediate cancellation of my Checkpeople subscription."
   • Send this email from the email address associated with your account.
   • Keep the confirmation that your email was delivered or read.

Method 2: send certified mail if phone and email fail

Warning: Use this method only if Checkpeople does not respond to phone calls or emails within 48 hours, or if customer support refuses to cancel your account.

1. Prepare a formal cancellation letter using certified mail (with return receipt, also called "raccomandata A/R" in Italian banking but available through Canada Post as "Tracked Packet" or registered mail).
   • Write the letter on your own letterhead or plain paper and include the following information:
   • Your full legal name
   • Your account email address
   • Your billing date and any transaction reference numbers visible on your statement
   • The date you are sending the letter
   • A clear statement: "I revoke authorization for all recurring charges to my account effective immediately. This subscription must be cancelled as of today's date. No further charges are authorized."
2. Sign and date the letter in blue ink (blue ink proves the original was sent, not a photocopy).
   • Keep a photocopy for your records.
3. Mail the letter via Canada Post Tracked Packet or registered mail (proof of delivery) to the Checkpeople mailing address listed in the "Contact and cancellation address" section below.
   • The tracking number and return receipt are your proof that the company received your revocation of authorization.

Pro tip on timing

Pro tip: Cancel at least three business days before your next billing date. If your billing date is the 15th and you send your cancellation on the 12th, the company may argue it did not have time to process the request. Send cancellation at least 72 hours in advance to eliminate that excuse.

Checkpeople pricing and what you're actually paying

Understanding Checkpeople's pricing structure helps you calculate your exposure and decide if cancellation is urgent.

Currency conversion and hidden costs for canadian customers

Checkpeople charges in US dollars. When your Canadian credit card processes the payment, your card issuer converts the charge using their exchange rate, which is typically higher than the mid-market rate. For example, a US$44.85 monthly charge may cost you CAD$60-65 depending on the card's markup. Additionally, some cards apply a foreign transaction fee (1-2%), further inflating the actual cost to you.

Always check your credit card statement in Canadian dollars, not the advertised US dollar price. This transparency is essential when you calculate your actual losses and decide whether to pursue a refund.

What happens after you submit a cancellation request

After you cancel, your subscription status changes, but the company's actions (or inaction) will determine whether your account is truly stopped or if charges continue.

Access during your paid period

When Checkpeople processes your cancellation, the company typically grants you access through the end of the billing period you already paid for. The service does not shorten your access or offer a prorated refund for unused time. If your next billing date is 30 days away and you cancel today, you retain full access until that date, then your account locks.

Monitoring for unauthorized charges after cancellation

Warning: Checkpeople has a documented pattern of continuing to bill customers even after they request cancellation. Check your credit card and bank statements every week for 60 days after submitting your cancellation request. If you see another charge post after your cancellation date, that is evidence of a billing failure and strengthens your case for a dispute or complaint.

Many customers assume silence means success. It does not. The absence of a cancellation confirmation email is a red flag. If you do not receive written confirmation within 48 hours of your request, follow up immediately with a second email or certified letter.

Refunds and how to recover overcharges

Refunds from Checkpeople are rare and unpredictable, but you have multiple levers to obtain one, especially if the company misled you or charged you without clear consent.

When checkpeople might refund you

Checkpeople will consider refunds on a case-by-case basis under these circumstances:

• The advertised trial was described as "US$1 for 5 days with no automatic renewal," but the company converted you to recurring billing without your explicit, affirmative consent.
• You cancelled within a very short window (typically within 24-72 hours of the initial charge) and can prove the cancellation request was delivered.
• Your credit card company disputes the charge, and Checkpeople loses the chargeback.
• You file a complaint with the Competition Bureau or your provincial consumer protection authority, and regulatory pressure forces the company to offer a settlement.

Processing refunds and timelines

If Checkpeople approves a refund, funds return to your original payment method within 3 to 10 business days. Refunds are not prorated. If you paid for a full month but cancelled on day 10, you will not receive a partial refund for the unused 20 days. The company will refund the full month's charge or nothing at all.

How to request a refund from checkpeople

1. Email support@checkpeople.com with the subject line "Refund request for account [your email]."
   • Explain why you believe you deserve a refund (e.g., "I was charged a recurring subscription after a trial without clear consent" or "I cancelled within 48 hours of the charge and should not have been billed").
   • Reference the specific charge date and amount on your statement.
   • Attach screenshots of your cancellation request and the company's (lack of) response.
2. If Checkpeople does not respond within 5 business days, escalate to credit card dispute.

Disputing charges with your credit card company

If Checkpeople refuses to refund you or ignores your request, your credit card company is your next lever. Log into your credit card account and dispute the charge as "unauthorized" or "billing error." Most Canadian credit card companies require you to submit supporting documentation, so provide screenshots of your cancellation request, any confirmation (or lack thereof) from Checkpeople, and your statement showing the unwanted charge.

The chargeback process typically takes 30-60 days. During this time, Checkpeople must provide evidence that you authorized the charge and agreed to recurring billing. If your cancellation request predates the charge, the company's burden becomes very difficult to meet. Stopee recommends keeping every piece of communication to maximize your chances of winning the dispute.

Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation

Cancelling a subscription is frustrating, especially when the company makes the process deliberately hard. Here are the mistakes that cost Canadian customers the most money and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: assuming silence means success

You send an email requesting cancellation, get no response, and assume the company processed it. This is the most costly mistake. Checkpeople will not send you a "cancellation confirmed" message unless you explicitly request one. Always ask for written confirmation and set a reminder to follow up after 48 hours if you do not receive it.

Mistake 2: cancelling only in your account dashboard

Some subscription services allow you to toggle a cancellation option in your user account. Checkpeople does not operate this way. Clicking a "cancel" button on the website is often ignored by the company's billing system. Always contact customer support directly by phone or email to ensure human acknowledgement of your request.

Mistake 3: waiting too long before your next billing date

If you cancel the day before your billing date, the company will claim it did not have time to process the request and will charge you again. Cancel at least three to five business days before your next billing date, and confirm the exact billing date before submitting your cancellation.

Mistake 4: not keeping records

If Checkpeople continues to charge you and you need to dispute the charge, you will need proof that you requested cancellation. Take screenshots of every email, confirmation, and payment statement. Save the tracking number from your certified mail letter. This documentation is your insurance policy.

Mistake 5: accepting the first "no" or "we can't cancel"

If customer support tells you that your account cannot be cancelled or that you must complete the current billing period before cancelling, that is often a stalling tactic. You have the right to revoke authorization for recurring charges at any time, even mid-billing cycle. Escalate to certified mail or your credit card company if the company refuses.

Checkpoints before and after you cancel

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel correctly and protect yourself from follow-up charges.

Contact and cancellation address for checkpeople

Use the following contact details to submit your cancellation request. Always retain proof of delivery if you use mail.

Phone

Customer support: 1-800-267-1222 (US-based; verify time zone before calling)

Email

support@checkpeople.com

Mailing address for certified mail

Send certified mail letters to the registered address on file with Checkpeople's state of incorporation. If the company's website does not provide a mailing address, contact your state attorney general or use the address listed on the company's business registration. For Canadian purposes, send your certified mail letter via Canada Post Tracked Packet or registered mail to ensure proof of delivery. The tracking number becomes critical evidence if you later need to file a complaint or dispute the charges.

Filing a complaint with canadian authorities

If Checkpeople refuses to honour your cancellation request or continues to bill you after cancellation, escalate your complaint to:

• Competition Bureau (federal): www.competitionbureau.gc.ca - file a complaint about false or misleading advertising regarding the trial terms or recurring billing.
• Your provincial consumer protection authority: Contact your Attorney General's office or consumer protection ministry (e.g., Ontario's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, BC's Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions).
• Your credit card company's dispute department: File a chargeback for "unauthorized charges" or "billing error."

Should you keep or cancel your checkpeople subscription

Your decision to cancel depends on whether you still use the service and whether the company continues to charge fairly.

Reasons to keep checkpeople

If you actively use the service to conduct background checks, need ongoing reports, and you agreed to the recurring charges with full awareness of the cost, you might choose to keep the subscription. However, ensure you are not being overcharged due to currency conversion or foreign transaction fees. Review your statement monthly.

Strong reasons to cancel immediately

Cancel immediately if: you tried the trial and have no further need for reports; the company converted you from a trial without explicit consent; you discovered unauthorized charges on your statement; you are not using the service; or the monthly cost exceeds your budget. Cancelling costs nothing, and you retain access through the end of your paid period, so there is no downside to stopping future billing.

Why stopee recommends cancelling if you're uncertain

If you are uncertain whether you need the service, cancel now and resubscribe later if you change your mind. Checkpeople's business model depends on inertia: the longer you leave the subscription active, the longer you pay. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers reclaim hundreds of dollars by cancelling subscriptions they forgot they had. A few minutes of effort now prevents months of unwanted charges.

Next steps and empowerment

Cancelling Checkpeople is straightforward if you follow the steps in this guide and do not hesitate to escalate. You have rights as a Canadian consumer, and companies like Checkpeople count on your frustration to prevent you from exercising them. Document every interaction, meet the three-day advance cancellation deadline, and monitor your statements. If the company ignores you, your credit card company and Canada's consumer protection authorities are behind you. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate exactly this situation, and the key is action: submit your cancellation today, confirm it in writing within 48 hours, and follow up if you do not hear back. Your wallet will thank you.