How to end your Been Verified subscription in the UK

About Been Verified

Been Verified operates as a background check service that allows users to search for information about individuals, including contact details, criminal records, social media profiles, and other public records. Whilst the company is primarily based in the United States, it processes subscriptions from UK customers who wish to access its database services. As a consumer rights specialist, I must emphasise that understanding your cancellation rights is crucial before committing to any subscription service.

The service aggregates data from various public sources and presents it in searchable reports. Many UK consumers initially sign up for what appears to be a one-off search, only to discover they've been enrolled in a recurring subscription. This is a common pattern in the background check industry, and it's precisely why knowing your cancellation rights from the outset is essential to protecting your financial interests.

Been Verified markets itself as a tool for reconnecting with old friends, verifying online dates, or checking potential employees. However, the automatic renewal nature of their subscriptions means that many customers find themselves paying monthly fees long after their initial search purpose has been fulfilled. This means that proactive cancellation management becomes a vital consumer skill.

Why customers seek to cancel

In my 15 years of experience advising consumers, I've identified several recurring reasons why people cancel Been Verified subscriptions. Understanding these patterns helps you recognise that you're not alone in seeking to end your membership, and that cancellation is both your right and a straightforward process when handled correctly.

The most common reason is the completion of the initial search purpose. You may have signed up to find an old school friend or verify someone's background, and once that task is complete, the ongoing subscription no longer serves your needs. As a result, continuing to pay monthly fees becomes an unnecessary expense that you're entitled to stop.

Another frequent issue involves unexpected charges. Many customers report being unaware that their initial search enrolled them in a recurring subscription. When they notice unfamiliar charges on their bank statements, they rightfully seek immediate cancellation. This situation highlights the importance of reading terms carefully, but it also underscores your right to cancel once you become aware of unwanted charges.

Some users find that the service doesn't meet their expectations regarding data accuracy or comprehensiveness, particularly for UK-based searches where the database may be less robust than for US residents. In practice, this means you may not be getting value for money, which is a perfectly valid reason to exercise your cancellation rights.

Subscription plans and pricing

Been Verified typically offers several subscription tiers, though pricing and plan structures can vary for UK customers. Understanding exactly what you're paying for is fundamental to making informed decisions about whether to maintain or cancel your subscription. Therefore, I always advise customers to review their specific subscription details through their account or payment records.

Standard pricing structure

Based on current information available for Been Verified services, the company generally operates with the following subscription models, though prices may be displayed in US dollars for UK customers:

It's important to note that Been Verified frequently runs promotional offers that may appear significantly cheaper initially. However, these trial periods automatically convert to full-price subscriptions unless you take action to cancel. This means that even if you only wanted a single search, you must actively cancel to avoid ongoing charges.

Understanding automatic renewals

All Been Verified subscriptions operate on an automatic renewal basis. This means your payment method will be charged repeatedly at the end of each billing cycle without requiring your explicit approval for each transaction. As a result, you maintain responsibility for cancelling the subscription when you no longer wish to use the service.

Under UK consumer protection principles, whilst automatic renewals are legal, companies must make their terms clear at the point of sale. If you weren't adequately informed about the recurring nature of charges, you may have grounds to dispute past payments with your bank. Therefore, keeping records of your sign-up process and any communications can prove valuable if disputes arise.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding Been Verified's cancellation policy is essential to protecting your consumer rights. The company's terms typically allow for cancellation at any time, but specific conditions apply regarding refunds and the timing of when your access ends. This section explains what you're entitled to and what you need to know before proceeding.

Notice periods and effective dates

Been Verified generally processes cancellations to take effect at the end of your current billing period. In practice, this means that if you cancel midway through a month for which you've already been charged, you'll retain access until that month ends, but you won't be charged for the subsequent period. This is actually a consumer-friendly approach, as it ensures you receive the service you've already paid for.

However, the critical point is that your cancellation must be submitted before your next billing date to prevent another charge. Therefore, if your subscription renews on the 15th of each month, you should ensure your cancellation is processed several days beforehand to account for processing time. This is precisely why postal cancellation via Recorded Delivery becomes so valuable—it provides dated proof of when you submitted your cancellation request.

Refund policies

Been Verified's standard policy typically does not offer refunds for partial months of service. This means that once you've been charged for a billing period, that payment is generally non-refundable, though you'll maintain access until the period ends. As a result, timing your cancellation strategically can help you maximise the value you've already paid for.

However, UK consumer law provides certain protections that may override company policies in specific circumstances. If you were misled about the subscription terms, if charges were taken without proper authorisation, or if the service was fundamentally not as described, you may have grounds to request a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. In such cases, documenting your complaint in writing through recorded post strengthens your legal position.

Legal requirements in the UK

Under UK consumer protection law, you have specific rights when dealing with subscription services. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 grant you a 14-day cooling-off period for distance sales, which includes online subscriptions. This means that if you signed up within the past two weeks, you have an automatic right to cancel and receive a full refund for any payments made.

Additionally, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that services must be provided with reasonable care and skill and must match their description. If Been Verified fails to meet these standards, you have legal grounds to cancel and potentially claim compensation. Therefore, understanding these rights empowers you to approach cancellation from a position of strength rather than uncertainty.

How to cancel Been Verified by post

Cancelling by post represents the most reliable and legally robust method for terminating your Been Verified subscription. Whilst many companies encourage online cancellation through account portals, postal cancellation provides you with tangible proof of your cancellation request, which becomes invaluable if disputes arise about whether you cancelled or when your cancellation was received.

Why postal cancellation is recommended

In my 15 years of advising consumers on contract cancellations, I consistently recommend postal methods for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, sending your cancellation via Recorded Delivery creates an official postal record with a specific date and tracking number. This means that if the company later claims they never received your cancellation, you have independent third-party proof that contradicts their assertion.

Online cancellation methods, whilst convenient, can sometimes present unexpected obstacles. Account portals may experience technical issues, cancellation buttons may be deliberately difficult to locate, or the system might generate error messages that prevent completion. As a result, you could find yourself still being charged despite multiple attempts to cancel online. Postal cancellation eliminates these digital barriers entirely.

Furthermore, a written cancellation letter demonstrates clear intent and creates a formal record of your communication. If you need to escalate a dispute to your bank for a chargeback or to a consumer protection agency, having a dated, tracked letter significantly strengthens your case. Therefore, the small cost of Recorded Delivery represents valuable insurance against future complications.

Essential information for your cancellation letter

Your postal cancellation must include specific information to ensure it's processed correctly and to protect your legal position. At minimum, your letter should contain your full name exactly as it appears on your Been Verified account, the email address associated with your subscription, and any account or membership number if available.

You should clearly state your intention to cancel the subscription with immediate effect, and specify that you do not authorise any further charges to your payment method. Including the date you're writing the letter is crucial, as this establishes the timeline for your cancellation request. As a result, the company cannot reasonably claim confusion about your intentions or timing.

If you're cancelling within the 14-day cooling-off period or believe you have grounds for a refund, explicitly state this in your letter and reference the relevant consumer protection legislation. This demonstrates that you're aware of your legal rights, which often encourages companies to process your request more carefully and favourably.

Where to send your cancellation letter

Been Verified's primary business operations are based in the United States, and postal cancellations should be sent to their registered business address. When sending correspondence from the UK to the US, ensure you use appropriate international postage and select a tracked service to maintain proof of delivery.

The official postal address for Been Verified cancellation correspondence is:

• Been Verified
• PO Box 1339
• Merrifield, VA 22116
• United States

When addressing your envelope, write the address clearly and include "United States" or "USA" prominently to ensure proper routing by Royal Mail and US Postal Service. Using Recorded Delivery or International Tracked service from the Post Office provides you with a tracking number that you can monitor online, giving you peace of mind that your cancellation has been dispatched and received.

Using services like Postclic for convenience

For many consumers, the process of drafting a formal letter, printing it, purchasing appropriate postage, and visiting the Post Office represents a time-consuming inconvenience. This is where services like Postclic can provide valuable assistance by streamlining the postal cancellation process whilst maintaining all the legal benefits of traditional post.

Postclic allows you to create your cancellation letter digitally, which the service then professionally prints, envelopes, and sends via tracked post on your behalf. This means you gain the legal protection and proof of postal cancellation without the practical hassles of traditional mail. The service provides digital confirmation and tracking information, giving you complete oversight of your cancellation's progress.

The particular advantage for international correspondence like Been Verified cancellations is that Postclic handles the complexities of international postage and tracking, ensuring your letter reaches the US address correctly. As a result, you save time whilst actually strengthening your cancellation documentation through professional formatting and reliable tracking. The small service fee often proves worthwhile when balanced against the time saved and peace of mind gained.

Timeline and follow-up actions

International post from the UK to the United States typically takes between 5-10 working days for delivery, though this can vary depending on customs processing and postal service workloads. Therefore, you should send your cancellation letter at least two weeks before your next billing date to ensure it arrives and can be processed in time to prevent further charges.

Once you've sent your cancellation, monitor your tracking information to confirm delivery. Keep a copy of your letter, your proof of postage, and your tracking number in a safe place. These documents form your evidence trail if any disputes arise. In practice, this documentation has helped countless consumers successfully challenge unauthorised charges and prove they cancelled within required timeframes.

If you continue to see charges after your cancellation should have been processed, contact your bank or card provider immediately. Provide them with your postal proof and explain that you've cancelled the subscription but charges continue. Under UK banking regulations, you have rights to dispute unauthorised transactions, and your postal evidence significantly strengthens such claims.

Customer reviews and tips

Learning from other customers' experiences provides valuable insights into what to expect during the cancellation process and how to protect yourself effectively. Over the years, I've compiled feedback from numerous consumers who've cancelled Been Verified subscriptions, and certain patterns emerge that can help you navigate the process more successfully.

Common customer experiences

Many customers report that Been Verified processes cancellations relatively smoothly when proper documentation is provided. However, a recurring theme in consumer feedback involves the importance of maintaining proof of cancellation. Several customers have shared experiences where they cancelled but later faced additional charges, only to successfully dispute these charges by providing their postal receipts and tracking information.

Some users note that they received no confirmation after submitting their cancellation, which initially caused concern. This is where postal tracking becomes invaluable—you can independently verify that your letter was delivered regardless of whether the company sends acknowledgment. Therefore, don't assume that silence means your cancellation wasn't processed; check your next billing date to confirm charges have stopped.

A number of customers express frustration that cancellation isn't available through simpler methods, or that finding cancellation information on the website proves challenging. This pattern reinforces why taking control through postal cancellation serves your interests—you're not dependent on the company's preferred methods or website functionality.

Expert tips for successful cancellation

Based on extensive experience advising consumers through cancellations, I recommend several specific actions that significantly improve your cancellation outcome. First, take screenshots of your Been Verified account before cancelling, showing your subscription details, billing dates, and payment information. This documentation proves what you were subscribed to and when, which becomes valuable if disputes arise.

Second, send your cancellation letter well in advance of your next billing date. Whilst you might be eager to cancel immediately upon deciding you no longer want the service, giving yourself a buffer of at least two weeks accounts for postal delays and processing time. This proactive approach prevents the frustration of one additional unwanted charge.

Third, consider informing your bank or card provider that you've cancelled the subscription. Some consumers set up a note on their account or even request that future charges from Been Verified be declined. This creates an additional layer of protection, though you should still pursue formal cancellation rather than relying solely on payment blocking.

What to do if cancellation problems arise

Despite your best efforts, you may encounter situations where charges continue after cancellation or where the company disputes receiving your cancellation request. In such circumstances, your postal proof becomes your most powerful tool. Contact Been Verified's customer service with your tracking information and proof of delivery, clearly stating that you cancelled on a specific date and providing evidence.

If the company remains unresponsive or refuses to honour your cancellation, escalate the matter to your bank or card provider. Under UK regulations, you can request a chargeback for unauthorised transactions. Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation letter, postal receipt, and tracking confirmation. In practice, banks typically side with consumers who can demonstrate they took proper steps to cancel.

You can also file a complaint with consumer protection organisations such as Citizens Advice or report the issue to Trading Standards if you believe the company is engaging in unfair practices. Additionally, if you paid by credit card for any amount over £100, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act provides additional protection and recourse through your card provider.

Protecting yourself from unwanted charges

Beyond cancellation, consider implementing broader protections against subscription-related issues. Review your bank statements regularly—at least monthly—to catch any unexpected charges quickly. The sooner you identify and challenge unauthorised charges, the stronger your position for recovering those funds.

For future online subscriptions, consider using virtual card numbers or payment services that allow you to set spending limits or easily block specific merchants. This gives you an additional control layer beyond formal cancellation processes. As a result, even if a company attempts to charge you after cancellation, the payment simply won't process.

Finally, maintain a personal record of all your active subscriptions, including billing dates and cancellation procedures. This simple organisational step prevents subscriptions from continuing forgotten in the background, costing you money for services you're not using. In my experience, consumers who maintain such records save significant amounts annually by catching and cancelling unwanted subscriptions promptly.

Moving forward after cancellation

Once your Been Verified subscription is successfully cancelled and you've confirmed that charges have stopped, take a moment to review what you've learned from the experience. Understanding your consumer rights and the power of documented postal cancellation serves you well across all subscription services, not just this particular one.

If you needed background check services for a specific purpose, consider whether you genuinely need ongoing access or whether pay-per-report services might better suit your occasional needs. Many consumers find that subscription fatigue comes from maintaining services they use infrequently, and shifting to as-needed payment models better aligns costs with actual usage.

Remember that cancelling a subscription is your absolute right as a consumer. You should never feel pressured to continue a service that no longer meets your needs or represents good value for your money. The techniques and knowledge you've gained through this process empower you to manage all your consumer relationships more effectively, ensuring you remain in control of your finances and commitments.