Stop It ! Many Charged thousands Via Auto Renewal on Alipay & WeChat

⚠️ Expat Guide: How to Stop Hidden Auto-Renew Charges in China
Recently, many people in China reported losing hundreds or even thousands of RMB because of automatic renewals (“自动续费”) and no-password payments (“免密支付”). Some only realized after being charged for expensive memberships, ride apps, video subscriptions, or even premium services they never intended to buy.
One person was charged over 5,000 RMB after unknowingly signing up for a premium membership. Others noticed multiple auto-payment services linked to their Alipay or WeChat accounts.
👉 Why this happens:
When you sign up for a service (like video memberships, ride-hailing, food delivery, online investment, etc.), the app often pre-selects auto-renew. If you don’t cancel it, the system will keep deducting money from your account.
🛠 How Expats Can Check & Cancel Auto-Renew
1. Cancel via WeChat Pay
- Open WeChat → tap Me (我) → Services (服务)
- Go to Wallet (钱包) → Payment Settings (支付设置)
- Tap Auto Deduction (自动扣费)
- You’ll see all apps linked to your WeChat. Select the ones you don’t want and cancel.
2. Cancel via Alipay
- Open Alipay (支付宝) → tap My (我的) → Settings (设置)
- Select Payment Settings (支付设置) → No-Password/Auto Payment (免密支付/自动扣费)
- Choose the service and turn it off.
3. Cancel on iPhone (Apple ID Subscriptions)
- Go to Settings → tap your Apple ID (at the top)
- Select Subscriptions (订阅)
- Find the unwanted service and cancel.
💡 What To Do If You’ve Been Charged
- First, cancel the auto-renew to stop future deductions.
- Then, contact the platform’s customer service to request a refund.
If the charge was not clearly explained, you may have a right to complain under Chinese consumer protection law (protecting your right to know and consent).
✅ Tip for Expats in China: Always double-check when signing up for memberships or apps. By default, many will tick “auto-renew”, and if you don’t uncheck it, the app can keep charging you.