How to cancel Checkpeople and reclaim your money in canada
What is Checkpeople and why you might want to cancel
Checkpeople is a subscription-based background search service that aggregates public records and generates people-finding reports. The company operates from the United States and advertises low introductory offers-typically US$1 for a five-day trial-that automatically convert into recurring monthly charges of US$44.85 or higher unless you actively cancel beforehand.
Many Canadian subscribers enroll in the trial intending to cancel before charges escalate, only to discover that the cancellation mechanism is intentionally difficult to locate or use. Yafee has documented hundreds of complaints from Canadian consumers who faced hidden billing, failed cancellation attempts, and refusals to honour advertised trial terms. If you notice unexpected charges on your credit card statement or worry about unauthorized renewals, you are not alone. This guide walks you through every procedural step to stop charges and recover what you are owed.
Common reasons to cancel Checkpeople
You may cancel for several legitimate reasons: you completed your background search and no longer need ongoing access; the trial converted to a paid subscription without your clear, documented consent; the service charged you in US dollars without transparent conversion rates disclosed upfront; or you simply changed your mind and want to prevent future billing. Whatever your reason, cancelling promptly is your first line of defence against accumulating charges.
Why speed matters when you cancel
Checkpeople bills on a recurring monthly schedule. Every day you delay cancellation risks another charge posting to your account. The company will not refund you automatically once your billing date passes, so you must submit your cancellation request at least three business days before your next scheduled charge. Document the exact date and time you submit your request and capture the company's acknowledgement, because this proof becomes critical if you later need to dispute charges with your bank or file a complaint.
Your consumer rights in canada and federal protections
Canadian consumer law provides you with protections against deceptive subscription practices, though the specific rights vary by province and federal jurisdiction.
Federal protections under the competition act
The federal Competition Act prohibits false or misleading advertising and deceptive marketing practices. If Checkpeople advertised a "US$1 trial" but automatically enrolled you in a higher recurring charge without obtaining your clear, written, affirmative consent beforehand, that conduct likely violates the Act. The Competition Act applies across all Canadian provinces and territories, making it a powerful enforcement tool if the company refuses to refund unauthorized charges. You may file a complaint with the Competition Bureau-Canada's federal consumer protection agency-if you believe you were misled about trial terms or billing mechanics.
Provincial consumer protection statutes
Each Canadian province has enacted consumer protection legislation. Ontario's Consumer Protection Act, British Columbia's Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, Alberta's Fair Trading Act, and analogous statutes in other provinces all restrict unfair contract terms and mandate that companies obtain informed consent before charging you. Unlike the European Union, Canada does not mandate a universal 14-day "cooling-off" period for digital services that begins automatically upon purchase. However, provincial laws do prohibit deceptive practices and unauthorized billing. If you can demonstrate that Checkpeople deceived you about trial terms or failed to secure your clear, documented consent to recurring charges, you have grounds to demand a full refund and may escalate to your provincial consumer protection ministry or regulatory body.
Your legal position
You have the right to cancel any subscription service without penalty if the company fails to obtain your explicit, informed consent to recurring charges, or if the cancellation mechanism is deliberately hidden or non-functional. Canadian consumer protection law places the burden on the merchant to prove consent, not on you to prove you did not agree. Document all communications, billing statements, and cancellation attempts. Yafee recommends that you retain screenshots of the signup page, confirmation emails, the company's terms and conditions as they appeared when you signed up, your cancellation request, any response (or silence) from the company, and your payment statements. This evidence is essential if you need to file a formal complaint or dispute charges with your credit card issuer.
Methods to cancel Checkpeople
Checkpeople may offer several cancellation channels; however, the most reliable method is written communication that creates a permanent record.
Locate the cancellation policy on their website
Visit the Checkpeople website and search for a "Cancel Subscription," "Account Settings," "Help," or "Contact Us" page. Many subscription services hide cancellation options in terms of service or account dashboards. Write down the URL of any page that mentions cancellation, refund policy, or billing. Take a screenshot for your records. If no cancellation mechanism is visible or functional, proceed directly to written cancellation via email or certified mail.
Attempt cancellation via email
Send a formal email to Checkpeople's customer support address. If the website does not list a support email, search the domain's WHOIS registration or the company's privacy policy for contact information. In your email, include the following:
- Your full legal name, account email address, and account number (if you have it)
- The exact date you signed up for the trial
- Your request to cancel the subscription effective immediately
- A statement that you did not consent to recurring charges, or that the cancellation was not clearly disclosed
- A request for written confirmation of cancellation and any applicable refund
- Your payment method (e.g., "charged to Visa ending in 1234")
Use subject line: "Subscription Cancellation Request - [Your Name] - [Account Email]." Send the email from an account you monitor regularly. Do not delete any response, even if it appears dismissive. Keep the email thread open and forward it to Yafee support if you need further guidance.
Send a certified cancellation letter via mail
If email receives no response within five business days, or if Checkpeople denies your cancellation request, send a formal cancellation letter via registered mail (Canada Post's "Registered Mail" or equivalent courier service that provides proof of delivery). This creates an irrefutable record of your cancellation intent and the date received.
What to include in your letter:
- Your full legal name, residential address, phone number, and email address
- Your account email address and account number (if applicable)
- The date you opened the account and the date this letter is sent
- A clear statement: "I hereby cancel my subscription to Checkpeople, effective immediately"
- A statement that you did not authorize ongoing monthly charges, or that the trial terms were not transparent
- A request for written acknowledgement of cancellation and confirmation that no further charges will be made
- A request for a full refund of any charges you believe were unauthorized
- Your credit card number (last four digits only) or payment method used
- A reference to the relevant consumer protection law (e.g., "Consumer Protection Act of [Your Province]")
Send the letter to Checkpeople's registered business address (available via corporate registry or WHOIS lookup). Use Canada Post Registered Mail with a return receipt (A/R equivalent). This ensures the company receives the letter and you obtain dated proof. Retain a copy of the letter, the receipt, and the tracking number for your records.
Dispute the charge with your credit card issuer
If Checkpeople ignores your email or certified mail, or if a charge posts after you requested cancellation, contact your credit card company (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and file a dispute or chargeback. Provide your card issuer with copies of all cancellation requests, the company's failure to respond, and evidence that the charge was unauthorized or occurred after you cancelled. Most Canadian banks process chargebacks within 30 to 60 days. Your card issuer may reverse the charge while investigating.
Step-by-step cancellation process
Follow this procedure to ensure your cancellation is recorded and acted upon.
- Log into your Checkpeople account (if you can access it)
- Navigate to Account Settings or Subscription Management
- Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Billing" button
- If present and functional, click it and follow the prompts to confirm cancellation
- Take a screenshot of the confirmation page
- Save any confirmation email the system sends
- Send a formal cancellation email within 24 hours
- Compose an email using the format described in "Attempt cancellation via email" above
- Send it to [email protected] or the email address listed on their website
- Mark the email as "read receipt requested" (if your email provider supports it)
- Do not expect an immediate response; allow five business days
- Monitor your account for acknowledgement
- Check your email daily for a reply
- If you receive a cancellation confirmation, save it immediately
- If you receive a denial or request for more information, respond promptly with the requested details
- If no response arrives within five business days, send certified mail
- Prepare the cancellation letter as described in "Send a certified cancellation letter via mail" above
- Print two copies: one to mail and one to keep for your records
- Visit your local Canada Post office or arrange a courier pickup
- Request Registered Mail with Return Receipt (A/R) to confirm delivery
- Pay the required postage and handling fee
- Obtain the tracking number and receipt
- Keep all documentation in a safe place
- Verify cancellation on your next billing cycle
- Check your credit card statement 7 to 10 days after your expected billing date
- If no charge appears, your cancellation was successful
- If a charge does appear, proceed to the chargeback step immediately
- File a chargeback if a charge posts after cancellation
- Contact your credit card company's fraud or dispute department
- Provide account number, transaction date, amount, and Checkpeople's company details
- Submit copies of all cancellation requests and the company's lack of response
- Request reversal of the charge
- Follow your issuer's instructions for the dispute process
Refunds and recovery of unauthorized charges
If Checkpeople charged you after you cancelled, or if the trial converted to a paid subscription without clear consent, you may pursue a refund through several channels.
Request a refund directly from Checkpeople
In your cancellation email or certified letter, include a separate refund request. State the specific charges you believe were unauthorized, the dates they posted, and the amounts. Reference the relevant consumer protection law and state that the company failed to obtain your consent. Ask for a full refund within 14 days. Yafee recommends that you be specific: "I request a refund of the charge dated [date] in the amount of [amount CAD], which was posted after I cancelled my subscription on [date]." Keep this request in writing so you have proof of your claim.
Escalate to your provincial consumer protection authority
If Checkpeople refuses to refund you or does not respond within 21 days, file a formal complaint with your provincial consumer protection ministry. Each province has a consumer protection agency that investigates billing fraud and deceptive practices:
- Ontario: Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (Consumer Protection Office)
- British Columbia: Consumer Protection BC
- Alberta: Fair Trading Act Compliance Division
- Quebec: Office de la protection du consommateur
- Other provinces: Contact your provincial Ministry of Consumer Affairs or equivalent
These agencies can investigate the company, negotiate on your behalf, and order refunds if they find violations of consumer law. Provide them with all documentation: emails, certified mail receipts, screenshots, billing statements, and the company's responses (or lack thereof).
File a complaint with the federal competition bureau
If you believe Checkpeople engaged in false advertising (e.g., the trial terms were not as represented), file a complaint with the Competition Bureau at www.competition.gc.ca. The Bureau investigates misleading advertising and unfair business practices across Canada. Provide evidence that the company's advertising was deceptive or that consent to recurring charges was not obtained. The Bureau may initiate an investigation and can seek orders requiring the company to refund affected consumers.
Pricing and charges breakdown
Understand the full cost structure before deciding to cancel or dispute charges.
| Charge type |
Amount (CAD) |
Billing frequency |
Notes |
| Introductory trial |
~$1.30 |
One-time (5 days) |
Automatically converts to monthly billing if not cancelled |
| Monthly subscription |
~$57-$70 |
Monthly (recurring) |
Charged in US dollars (~US$44.85+) and converted to CAD at current rate; conversion markup may apply |
| Annual subscription (if offered) |
~$500-$700 |
One-time per year |
May lock you in; check terms for early exit penalties |
| Refund (within cooling-off period) |
Full trial amount |
Upon cancellation request |
Yafee recommends requesting within 14 days of signup if permitted by company policy |
| Refund (unauthorized charges) |
Disputed amount |
Via chargeback or provincial authority |
Requires proof of cancellation attempt and company non-response |
After cancellation: what to expect and how to verify
Once you have submitted a cancellation request, follow these steps to confirm it was processed.
Monitor your billing statement closely
Check your credit card or bank statement 7 to 10 days after your expected billing date. If you submitted your cancellation request before your next billing cycle, no charge should appear. If a charge posts despite your cancellation, save the statement as evidence and file a chargeback immediately with your card issuer. Yafee advises that you set a phone reminder for the day after your expected billing date so you do not miss a suspicious charge.
Retain all communications and receipts
Keep every email, certified mail receipt, tracking number, screenshot, and bank statement in a dedicated folder (digital or physical). If you need to escalate your complaint to a provincial authority or file a chargeback, you will need to provide these documents as proof. Do not delete anything until the matter is fully resolved.
Follow up if you hear nothing
If Checkpeople does not acknowledge your cancellation within five business days of your email, or within 14 days of your certified letter's delivery date, assume your request was ignored. Proceed to the chargeback step or file a formal complaint with your provincial consumer protection authority. Silence is not confirmation; you need written acknowledgement.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Many consumers inadvertently weaken their position by making preventable errors. Yafee has observed these patterns across hundreds of cancellations; learning from others' missteps protects you.
Cancelling only via the website or app
If you cancel through a website interface or mobile app, you have no permanent record. The company can later claim you never requested cancellation, or that a glitch prevented processing. Always follow up any website cancellation with a formal email or certified letter. Yafee insists on this dual approach because it creates irrefutable proof of your intent.
Not documenting the signup page or trial terms
Take a screenshot of the signup page, the trial offer terms, and any fine print about automatic renewal at the time you enroll. Many companies change their terms after you sign up. If you later dispute a charge, having the original terms as Checkpeople presented them to you is powerful evidence that the company misrepresented the trial or failed to disclose renewal terms prominently.
Waiting until after the billing date to cancel
Once a charge posts to your account, cancelling the subscription does not reverse that charge. You must cancel before the billing date, ideally at least three business days in advance. If you miss the window and a charge posts, you can still recover it via chargeback, but chargeback takes longer (30 to 60 days) and requires more work. Yafee advises setting a phone reminder five days before your expected billing date.
Sending cancellation requests from an email account you do not monitor
Use your primary, active email address when submitting your cancellation request. If Checkpeople sends a confirmation or needs to clarify your identity, you must receive and respond to that message quickly. If you use an old or infrequently checked email address, you may miss the company's reply and miss a deadline to confirm your request.
Failing to mention specific legal violations
When you write to Checkpeople, reference the relevant consumer protection law. For example: "I did not authorize recurring charges as required under the Consumer Protection Act. I request immediate cancellation and a full refund." This language signals to the company that you understand your rights and may escalate your complaint. Companies are more responsive when they perceive you are prepared to file a formal complaint.
Key steps checklist for cancelling Checkpeople
Use this checklist to track your progress and ensure you do not miss any critical step.
| Step |
Status |
Date completed |
Evidence saved? |
| Screenshot signup page and trial terms |
[ ] Not done [ ] Done |
___________ |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Send formal cancellation email |
[ ] Not done [ ] Done |
___________ |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Receive email response (or wait 5 business days) |
[ ] Not done [ ] Done |
___________ |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Send certified cancellation letter via registered mail |
[ ] Not done [ ] Done |
___________ |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
| Check bank statement for unauthorized charge on billing date |
[ ] Not done [ ] Done |
___________ |
[ ] Yes [ ] No |
| File chargeback with credit card issuer (if charge posted) |
[ ] Not done [ ] N/A [ ] Done |
___________ |
[ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] N/A |
Why you might want to keep your Checkpeople subscription
Before you cancel, consider whether the service delivers value that justifies the monthly cost.
Situations where Checkpeople may be useful
You may benefit from keeping your subscription if you conduct background research as part of your professional work (e.g., hiring, investigations, asset searches), if you need ongoing access to public records aggregations, or if you rely on the service for due diligence on business partners or tenants. If the trial revealed that the reports are relevant to your needs and the cost fits your budget, retaining the subscription is a legitimate choice. However, you must have consciously chosen to renew-not defaulted into renewal via an obscured cancellation mechanism.
Comparing subscription costs
Checkpeople charges approximately $57-$70 CAD per month (depending on exchange rates). Other background search services in Canada charge similar amounts. If you need background reports occasionally, consider whether a one-time search at $30-$50 from an alternative provider might be cheaper than a monthly subscription you do not actively use every month.
If you cannot locate Checkpeople's customer support address on their website, use the following escalation steps to find it or file a formal complaint.
Locate checkpeople's mailing address
Search the corporate registry in the state where Checkpeople is incorporated (likely Delaware or the state of operation). Use the Canada Post business directory or a corporate lookup service to find the company's registered agent address. This is the legal address to which you must send certified mail to ensure proper service.
File a complaint with your provincial consumer protection authority
Contact your provincial consumer protection ministry directly:
- Ontario: 1-800-889-9768 or www.ontario.ca/consumer
- British Columbia: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca or 1-888-564-9963
- Alberta: 1-877-427-6348 or www.alberta.ca/fair-trading
- Quebec: www.opc.gouv.qc.ca or 1-800-641-2627
- Other provinces: Search "[Your Province] consumer protection" to find the relevant agency
File a complaint with the competition bureau
Visit www.competition.gc.ca and use their online complaint form. The Bureau investigates false or misleading advertising and unfair business practices. Provide details of how Checkpeople's advertising or billing practices deceived you. The Bureau may initiate an investigation and seek refunds for affected consumers across Canada.
Conclusion and next steps
Cancelling Checkpeople requires persistence and documentation, but you have clear legal rights under Canadian consumer protection law. Whether Checkpeople charged you without consent, failed to disclose automatic renewal, or simply overcharged you after you attempted to cancel, you can recover your money by following the steps outlined in this guide.
Your first action is to send a formal cancellation email today. Your second action, if you receive no response within five business days, is to send a certified letter. Your third action, if a charge posts despite your cancellation, is to file a chargeback with your credit card issuer. At each stage, document everything: emails, receipts, screenshots, and statements. If the company refuses to cooperate, escalate to your provincial consumer protection ministry or the federal Competition Bureau.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges by walking them through this exact procedure. You are not alone, and the law is on your side. Act now, stay organized, and hold Checkpeople accountable for respecting your cancellation and your money.