Manage Unitask

How to cancel unitask and protect your consumer rights in new zealand

Understanding unitask and why you might want to cancel

Unitask was an online platform that connected students and freelancers with short-term tasks and gig work across New Zealand. The service offered subscription-based access to job listings, account management tools, and payment features via its website and mobile apps.

However, it's important to know that Unitask NZ Limited was struck off the Companies Register in 2009. This means the company no longer exists as a legal entity, and the service is no longer operating. If you still have an active subscription or billing issues related to Unitask, you have strong consumer protections available to you under New Zealand law.

At Stopee, we understand that discovering a service you subscribed to has ceased operations can be frustrating and confusing. This guide will walk you through your options, your rights, and the steps to take if you've been charged unfairly. Stopee exists to help you navigate subscription cancellations and protect yourself as a consumer.

Why this matters for your wallet

If Unitask is still charging your payment method despite being struck off, you have the right to dispute those charges. The longer you delay taking action, the more money you may lose to unauthorised billing. Your first step is to identify whether you're still being charged and then take immediate action to stop it.

What this guide covers

We'll explain your consumer rights under New Zealand law, show you how to stop any ongoing charges, help you request refunds, and provide you with a clear action checklist. Stopee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover money from failed services.

Your consumer rights when a service is struck off

The consumer guarantees act protects you

In New Zealand, the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) provides you with statutory protections that no company can remove or override, even in their Terms of Service. These protections remain valid even if the company no longer exists.

Under the CGA, you have the right to expect that any service supplied to you is carried out with reasonable care and skill, and is fit for the purpose for which it was supplied. If Unitask failed to deliver on these promises before being struck off, or if you've been charged since it ceased operations, you have grounds to claim a refund.

The fair trading act adds extra protection

The Fair Trading Act makes it illegal for suppliers to make misleading claims about their services. If Unitask advertised features or reliability that it didn't deliver, or if it continued to charge you after ceasing operations, this constitutes unfair trading conduct.

Both of these laws allow you to pursue refunds, compensation, and dispute resolution through the proper channels. Stopee recommends keeping all documentation of charges, screenshots of your account, and any communication from the company or your bank.

How to stop unitask charges on your payment method

Immediate action: prevent further charges

Your first priority is to stop any ongoing automatic payments. Since Unitask no longer exists as a company, you cannot access your account to cancel manually. Instead, you must take action through your bank or payment provider.

1. Log in to your bank account online or use your bank's mobile app.
   • Look for "Manage payments", "Recurring transactions", "Subscriptions", or "Direct debits".
   • Search for any transactions labelled "Unitask" or similar variants.
2. Identify the recurring payment or standing instruction for Unitask.
   • Note the amount, frequency (monthly or otherwise), and the date it was first set up.
   • Check how many times you've been charged since you stopped using the service.
3. Cancel or block the recurring payment immediately.
   • Select the option to "Stop", "Cancel", or "Reject" the standing instruction.
   • Your bank will confirm the cancellation in writing or via your app.
   • Save this confirmation - you'll need it for any refund claim.
4. If you cannot find the payment yourself, contact your bank's customer support.
   • Provide your bank with the merchant name "Unitask" and any transaction reference numbers.
   • Ask your bank to stop all future payments and to provide a history of charges.
   • Request written confirmation of the cancellation.

Pro tip: If you used a credit card, you may also contact your card issuer to dispute the charges as unauthorised transactions, especially if the service no longer exists.

Document everything for your claim

Before you proceed with a refund request, gather all evidence that supports your case. This documentation will be essential if you need to escalate your claim to the Commerce Commission or pursue legal remedies.

1. Collect bank statements showing all Unitask charges.
   • Export or screenshot every transaction linked to Unitask or its payment processor.
   • Note the dates, amounts, and how many times you were charged.
   • Highlight any charges that occurred after you stopped using the service.
2. Save any confirmation emails from when you signed up.
   • These prove you authorised the subscription and show what terms you agreed to.
3. Screenshot your account page if you can still access Unitask.
   • Capture any features you paid for or any error messages you received.
   • Include the date and time in the screenshot.
4. Keep records of any customer support correspondence.
   • Save emails, chat transcripts, or support tickets from Unitask.
   • Document any promises made about refunds or service quality.

Warning: Do not delete any emails, bank statements, or screenshots. You may need to provide these to your bank, the Commerce Commission, or a dispute resolution service.

How to request a refund from unitask or its payment processor

Your options for requesting money back

Since Unitask no longer exists as a registered company, the traditional customer support channels are closed. However, you have several avenues to pursue a refund.

1. Contact the payment processor or merchant acquirer.
   • Your bank statement will show the name of the entity that actually processed the charge (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or another processor).
   • Visit the processor's website and file a dispute or chargeback on the grounds that the service no longer exists or was not delivered as promised.
   • Provide your evidence: bank statements, screenshots, and a brief explanation of why you're entitled to a refund.
2. Request a chargeback through your bank.
   • Contact your bank's disputes team and ask to file a chargeback claim.
   • Explain that Unitask was struck off in 2009 and the service no longer exists, yet charges continue to appear on your account.
   • Submit all supporting documentation you gathered.
   • Your bank will investigate and may recover the funds within 30 to 90 days.
3. Escalate to the Commerce Commission if the merchant refuses to refund.
   • Visit the Commerce Commission website (comcom.govt.nz) and file a complaint.
   • Provide copies of your documentation and explain the unfair trading conduct.
   • The Commerce Commission can investigate and take enforcement action against the merchant if they continue to charge you illegally.

Pro tip: Chargebacks often succeed because the merchant cannot prove they delivered the service. Since Unitask no longer exists, the merchant has no defence against your claim.

Building a strong refund case

When you request a refund, frame your claim around the Consumer Guarantees Act and the facts of the situation. Use clear, factual language and avoid emotional appeals.

State that you paid for a service that no longer exists; therefore, the merchant cannot have supplied it with reasonable care or skill, and it is not fit for purpose. If you were charged after the company was struck off, you can argue that you received no service at all for those later payments.

Stopee recommends referencing the CGA directly in your dispute submission. This signals that you understand your rights and strengthens your credibility with your bank or the Commerce Commission.

Common mistakes when trying to cancel or recover funds

It's easy to feel powerless when a company stops responding, but many consumers unintentionally weaken their own case by making simple mistakes.

Mistake 1: ignoring charges hoping they'll stop

Many people assume that if a company no longer exists, the charges will eventually stop on their own. In reality, billing systems can continue to process recurring payments indefinitely if they're not manually stopped. The longer you wait, the more money you lose and the harder it becomes to dispute older transactions.

Action: Stop the recurring payment at your bank immediately, even before you pursue a refund claim.

Mistake 2: failing to keep evidence

Chargebacks and complaints to the Commerce Commission succeed because you can prove your case. If you delete emails, don't screenshot your account, or throw away bank statements, you lose your evidence.

Action: Create a folder on your computer or phone and collect every piece of documentation right now. Include bank statements, emails, screenshots, and a written timeline of when you signed up and when you stopped using the service.

Mistake 3: contacting unitask directly when it no longer exists

Unitask NZ Limited was struck off in 2009. There is no customer support team to respond to your emails or calls. Wasting time trying to reach the company delays your refund recovery.

Action: Go directly to your bank or payment processor. They have the power to stop charges and initiate refunds. The Commerce Commission can also investigate if the billing continues illegally.

Mistake 4: not understanding your legal rights

Some people believe that once they've clicked "agree" to Terms of Service, they have no consumer protections. This is false. The Consumer Guarantees Act overrides any Terms of Service that tries to exclude your rights.

Action: Mention the CGA in your chargeback claim or Commerce Commission complaint. This shows you're informed and increases the likelihood of success.

What to do after cancellation and refund recovery

Monitor your account for future charges

After you've cancelled the recurring payment at your bank, check your account every few weeks for the next three months to ensure no new charges appear. Billing systems sometimes malfunction or reactivate unauthorised payments.

If you see another charge from Unitask or its payment processor after you've cancelled, contact your bank immediately and escalate your complaint to the Commerce Commission.

Keep your documentation organised

Store all refund-related evidence in one place. Create a clear timeline showing when you signed up, when you cancelled, and when you received your refund. This record protects you if the issue resurfaces or if the company disputes your claim later.

Pro tip: Save digital copies to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, or similar) so you can access them from anywhere and never lose them to a computer crash.

Unitask pricing and plan details

Why pricing information is no longer available

Since Unitask was struck off in 2009 and the service no longer operates, there is no current pricing, plan structure, or subscription tier information available. Historical pricing may have ranged from basic to premium tiers, but this information is not relevant to your cancellation or refund claim.

If you remember what you paid

Include the subscription price you remember in your refund request and chargeback claim. Your bank statements will confirm the exact amounts you were charged, so be as specific as possible about how much you paid per month and how many months you were billed.

Comparison: your options for resolving this issue

Your action checklist for unitask cancellation and refund

Use this checklist to stay organised and ensure you don't miss any steps. Mark each item as you complete it.

Contact information and escalation points

Your bank or payment provider

Your bank is your first and most effective point of contact. They have the power to stop charges and recover funds through chargebacks. Most banks have a disputes team accessible through their customer service line or online banking portal.

Call your bank's main customer service number and ask to speak with the disputes or fraud team. Have your bank statement ready and be prepared to provide the merchant name (Unitask) and transaction reference numbers.

The commerce commission (New zealand)

If your bank cannot resolve the issue or if you want to report the unfair trading conduct, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission.

Website: comcom.govt.nz

Address: Commerce Commission, Private Bag 92213, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Phone: 0800 94 6040 (toll-free)

The Commerce Commission can investigate whether Unitask or its payment processor engaged in unfair trading by continuing to charge for a service that no longer exists.

Last known unitask address (for reference only)

Unitask NZ Limited was last registered at an address via Lifestyle Accounting. Since the company was struck off in 2009, this address is no longer operational. You do not need to contact this address; instead, work through your bank and the Commerce Commission.

Why you should act now: empowerment through consumer protection

Discovering that a service you paid for no longer exists is frustrating, but it also puts you in a strong legal position. The fact that Unitask was struck off in 2009 means any charges you've received since then are unauthorised. The Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair Trading Act are designed to protect you in exactly this situation.

You have the power to stop these charges and recover your money by taking action today. Do not assume the billing will stop on its own, and do not wait for a company that no longer exists to refund you. Your bank and the Commerce Commission are equipped to help.

Stopee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, dispute unfair charges, and recover money from defunct services. You are not alone in this situation, and the law is on your side. Start by stopping the recurring payment at your bank today, gather your evidence, and file a chargeback claim. If you need further support, the Commerce Commission is there to investigate on your behalf.

Take control of your finances now. Your first step is a phone call to your bank or a login to your online banking portal. Stopee encourages you to act today so you can stop the bleeding and recover what you're owed.