BizFilings The usual business crap to deal with Los Angeles California

What you experienced isn't unique. It's a phenomenon that many people dislike called 'autobilling', where a company can automatically bill your credit card each time your subscription expires. Some companies do this monthly. Others (like BizFilings.com) do it annually. When you initially signed up for the service with BizFilings, you were automatically enrolled in autobilling as part of the terms of service.

Most companies position this as a 'convenience' since it ensures your bill will be paid without anything required on your part. Sometimes it is. Sometimes its not. I automatically use autobilling to pay my cellphone and other work-related bills for example, so I only have to write out one check each month....when it comes to personal expenses, I hate autobilling. I like to look at each invoice individually before paying.

CONSUMERS SHOULD ALWAYS READ THE 'TERMS OF SERVICE' WHEN PURCHASING SUBSCRIPTIONS ONLINE. If you see words like 'auto renewal' or 'auto billing', contact the provider immediately and ask them to be excluded from this 'convenience' if you're not interested in being rebilled automatically.

Another thing to be aware of with 'TERMS OF SERVICE' are refund policies. I've been burned by that one before too. The fine print is too easy to overlook when its buried into a scrolling text box.

However, if we don't read the 'terms of service' as consumers, it's tough to complain when our credit card gets charged because of it. However, it's still possible to contact the company directly to obtain a refund. In most instances, like the one described here, they'll still reverse the charge. It's a pain in the A#@, but it works when hindsight is your only option.