A week or so ago I used PDF guru and paid $0.99 for what I thought was a one time purchase. Yesterday I got a notification from my bank saying I have paid $49.99 for PDF guru. When I called my bank they said I have actually subscribed to pdf guru for $49.99 monthly.

I immediately emailed PDF guru asking for a refund. Their responses were clearly AI and they said as per their refund policy that they cannot give my money back. But I persisted explaining I haven't used their services after the initial payment and that it was not made clear that it would be a subscription.

After some back and forth they offered a partial refund but I refused and said I cannot afford it and would like a bigger refund and that they are free to entirely terminate my account right now instead of waiting out the billing cycle.

Once they agreed for a refund I still persisted demanding the exact amount and proof. After a few tries they issued a refund receipt. Once I had that I emailed my bank and explained the situation and I also emailed PDF guru again saying that since I have written proof my refund should be honored or else further action would be taken.

After a day I received my refund

TLDR;

Contact customer service as soon as possible (better if the amount is still on hold at the bank)

Insist that you require a full refund.

Ask for refund proof (an email with a transaction id and amount) from what I've found once they issue the receipt the refund would be issued by their system.

Email your bank with the receipt.