A study by France's National Consumer Institute reveals that households pay an average of three hundred euros per year for inactive subscriptions. Cloud storage they stopped using, streaming services forgotten after the free trial, premium apps downloaded once — the charges keep coming, quiet, month after month. This video gives you the complete method to track them down, cancel them legally, and stop them from coming back.

01 / 04Find the leaks three months of statements is enough

First section: how to spot every active subscription on your account in under ten minutes.

Export your last 3 months of statements

The fastest method: go to your online banking portal, open the transaction history tab, and export the last three months of statements. Almost every bank — traditional or digital — offers a CSV or PDF export. In the CSV, filter the amount column for negative values with identical amounts repeating over months — that's systematically a recurring charge. Same exercise on the PDF using the search function. Neobanks like Revolut or Monzo already categorize recurring payments in a dedicated section — the audit is even faster there.

Use a free subscription tracker app

If you want to go faster, free apps do this analysis for you. Budget tracking apps compatible with most banks via secure open banking — no need to hand over your login credentials directly. These tools automatically detect recurring charges, group them by category, and show your monthly total. Note: these apps read your transactions in read-only mode, they cannot initiate any payment. They are regulated by financial authorities. Free, two minutes to connect, and you have your full list in front of you.

02 / 04The 5 forgotten subscriptions the most common, the most invisible

Second section: the five most commonly forgotten subscription categories on bank statements.

Cloud storage, streaming and digital news

The first three categories. Cloud storage: services often activated right after buying a new phone — two to ten dollars per month depending on capacity. Many people are paying for two simultaneously without realizing it. Streaming: video, music, and podcast platforms multiply seven-to-thirty-day free trials. Without cancelling before the trial ends, the subscription converts automatically — legally, because you accepted the terms. Digital news: a one-euro three-month promotional offer after an event, then full price kicks in. Often invisible because the amount is low — between three and twenty euros per month.

Antivirus software and premium apps

The last two categories. Antivirus software: often bundled free with a new computer for one year, then automatically renewed at thirty to sixty dollars per year. The charge is debited with no prior warning. Check if you're actually covered — Windows Defender is free and sufficient for most users. Fifth category: premium mobile apps. Games, productivity tools, fitness or weather apps. A single in-app purchase can trigger a weekly or monthly subscription. Check in your iPhone or Android settings, Subscriptions tab — you'll see everything at once.

03 / 04Cancel effectively know your legal rights

Third section: how to cancel each type of subscription quickly and legally.

Cancel online directly or via your bank

First method: direct cancellation from the service's account settings. Go to your account, find the Subscription or Billing tab, then Cancel. That's the fastest method for reputable platforms. If you can't find it, check the service's help page or look for their dedicated cancellation link. Second method: your bank. You can contact your bank to block any direct debit from a specific creditor. The bank is legally required to stop the charge. Note: this method does not cancel the contract — the provider may still pursue the amount by other means. Use this only if the service is unreachable or in case of dispute.

Your legal right to cancel — know the rules

Key legal right for France: for any service subscription contract signed after June 1, 2014, you can cancel at any time after the first year with no fees or penalties — with thirty days' notice for rolling contracts. For internet, phone, and TV subscriptions, operators are required to notify you in writing between one and three months before a commitment period renews. If you weren't notified, you can cancel immediately with no penalty. In case of dispute, cancellation is done by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt — keep the proof of sending.

04 / 04Prevent future leaks two habits that change everything

Fourth section: two simple habits so you never let a forgotten subscription keep charging month after month.

Virtual card with spending cap for free trials

First habit: for any free trial, use a single-use or spending-capped virtual card. Most digital banks offer this feature — you generate a temporary card number valid for one vendor or capped at a set amount. The trial ends, the next charge is automatically declined — nothing to cancel. If you use a traditional bank without virtual cards, simply note the service name and trial end date in your phone the moment you sign up. A reminder two days before is enough.

Quarterly audit — 10 minutes every 3 months

Second habit: set a quarterly reminder in your calendar — ten minutes every three months to review your standing orders and recurring charges. That's enough to intercept new subscriptions before they accumulate. Some banking apps already offer a dedicated Recurring charges view — no need to export anything. Just scroll and check. Over a year, three audits add up to thirty minutes total. And according to consumer research, households that run this audit recover an average of two hundred fifty to three hundred euros per year.

This advice is general information and does not replace a professional's opinion. When in doubt (health, electricity, chemicals), ask a specialist.

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