No, not if you truly never agreed to the service or charge. An unexpected charge can leave consumers wondering whether a business can simply bill them because it has their payment information. In Maryland, businesses generally cannot use deceptive or unfair practices to sell consumer services. Federal protections may also apply when a company enrolls consumers in recurring services or charges them without informed consent.
When an unexpected charge may be unlawful
A business may have permission to charge you if you agreed to the service through a contract, subscription or clearly disclosed recurring-payment arrangement. Problems can arise when a company adds a service you did not request, hides important terms or treats your silence as permission without properly explaining the arrangement.
Maryland’s consumer protection law prohibits unfair or deceptive practices involving consumer services. A charge for an unwanted service may raise concerns when the business misrepresented what you were buying or failed to provide important information needed to understand the transaction.
Federal consumer protections can also address recurring charges. Federal guidance explains that businesses using automatic billing generally must clearly disclose important terms and obtain appropriate consent before charging consumers.
What to do after an unauthorized charge
If you see a charge you do not recognize, take steps to document what happened. Consider the following:
- Review your contract, receipts and account terms to confirm whether you agreed to the service.
- Save emails, text messages, screenshots and billing statements related to the charge.
- Ask the business to explain the charge and provide a refund if you did not authorize it.
- Contact your bank or card issuer if the business does not resolve the issue.
- File a complaint with the appropriate consumer protection agency if the dispute remains unresolved.
Keep records of your communications and any response you receive. These records can help you understand what happened and determine your next steps.
An unfamiliar charge does not automatically mean a business acted unlawfully. The key question is whether you actually agreed to the service and whether the business clearly explained the terms before charging you. Reviewing your records and acting promptly can help you understand your rights and challenge charges you never authorized.