How to cancel Scribd in malaysia and avoid unexpected charges
What Scribd is and why malaysian users subscribe
Scribd is a subscription-based digital library that grants you unlimited access to e-books, audiobooks, documents, and magazines through web and mobile apps. The service operates as an auto-renewing subscription, meaning your payment renews automatically at the end of each billing cycle unless you cancel in advance.
For Malaysian users, Scribd charges RM59.00 per month for unlimited access across devices. Many subscribers sign up because the flat-rate model appeals more than buying individual titles. However, the auto-renewal mechanism means that if you forget to cancel before your renewal date, you will be charged again within 24 hours of the billing period ending.
The free trial trap and how it works
Scribd offers free trials to new users: 30 days if you subscribe via the website, or 7 days through the App Store or Google Play. The critical detail is that your trial automatically converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial period ends. Many Malaysian users discover this the hard way when a charge appears on their card without warning.
Regional limitations you should know about
Scribd imposes regional content restrictions in Malaysia. Some titles are geographically locked, and Malay-language content remains limited. If you subscribed expecting a full library and discovered that significant portions are unavailable in your region, cancellation may be the sensible option rather than paying for restricted access.
Your legal position as a malaysian consumer
Your rights as a Scribd subscriber in Malaysia are protected under the Consumer Protection Act 1999. This legislation establishes that any digital service provider must provide clear, truthful information about subscription terms, renewal dates, and cancellation procedures before you pay.
What the consumer protection act 1999 means for you
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, Scribd must:
- Disclose all material terms of the subscription, including the renewal date and automatic charging mechanism, before you complete payment.
- Provide a straightforward cancellation method that is accessible and does not require you to call a hidden support line or navigate confusing screens.
- Honour cancellation requests submitted through the advertised channels within a reasonable timeframe (typically within one billing cycle).
- Cease charging your payment method once you have cancelled, effective from your next renewal date.
If Scribd continues to charge you after you have submitted a valid cancellation request, or if the company makes cancellation deliberately difficult, you have grounds to lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA), Malaysia's enforcement body for consumer protection legislation.
Your legal position in the cancellation process
You have the right to cancel your subscription at any time during the billing cycle. Scribd cannot lock you into a contract or impose early-termination penalties. Once you submit a cancellation request through an official channel-the website account page, email support, or the app store-your subscription must end on the next renewal date. You retain access until that date expires, after which no charge should appear on your account.
If you are within a free trial period and cancel before it ends, you will not be charged. If the trial has already ended and a paid charge has been applied, you may request a refund under consumer protection grounds if Scribd did not make the auto-renewal terms sufficiently clear at the point of sign-up.
How to cancel Scribd step by step
Scribd offers multiple cancellation routes depending on where you subscribed. Choose the method that matches your subscription source and follow the steps precisely to ensure your cancellation is processed.
Prepare your account before cancelling
Take these preparatory steps to protect yourself and confirm the cancellation later.
- Log in to your Scribd account and navigate to Account Settings or Your Account.
- Take a screenshot of the page showing your current plan name, subscription status, and the next renewal or billing date.
- This screenshot serves as proof of your cancellation request if a dispute arises later.
- Identify where you subscribed.
- Check your email inbox for a receipt or confirmation email that states "Scribd web", "App Store", or "Google Play".
- If you cannot find it, look in the Account Settings page; most services show which platform is billing you.
- Save your account email address and password in a secure location.
- You may need to log back in during the cancellation process or to contact support later.
- Export or screenshot any reading lists, saved titles, or notes you wish to keep.
- Cancellation does not automatically delete your data, but it is safer to back up your lists.
Cancel through the Scribd website account page
Use this method if you subscribed directly on the Scribd website (scribd.com) and not through an app store.
- Open a web browser and go to scribd.com.
- Use a desktop browser if possible; some users report mobile browsers do not display the cancellation button correctly.
- Log in with your email address and password.
- If you have not logged in recently, Scribd may ask you to verify your identity via email or two-factor authentication.
- Navigate to Account Settings or My Account.
- Look for a menu option labelled "Settings", "Account", or a profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Find the Subscription or Billing section.
- You will see your current plan (e.g., "Unlimited Membership", "RM59.00/month").
- Look for a button or link labelled "Cancel Subscription", "End My Subscription", or "Manage Subscription".
- Click the cancellation button.
- Scribd will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discounted rate to keep you as a subscriber.
- You may decline this offer and proceed with cancellation.
- Follow any on-screen prompts until you reach a final confirmation screen.
- The screen should display a message such as "Your subscription has been cancelled" or "Your access will end on [date]".
- Check your email inbox for a cancellation confirmation email from Scribd.
- This email will include your cancellation date and your final access end date.
- Keep this email for your records.
Cancel through apple app store (iOS)
If you subscribed to Scribd through the Apple App Store on an iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's system, not Scribd's website.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Do not open Scribd itself; you must use the device Settings.
- Tap your name or Apple ID at the top of the Settings menu.
- You may see "Apple ID", "iCloud", or your name.
- Select Subscriptions.
- This shows all active subscriptions tied to your Apple ID.
- Find and tap Scribd in the list.
- You will see the renewal date and the monthly charge (RM59.00).
- Tap Cancel Subscription or Manage Subscription and then Cancel.
- Apple will ask you to confirm the cancellation.
- Confirm that you want to cancel.
- Apple will show you the final date of your access.
- Check your Apple ID email for a cancellation confirmation.
- Apple will send a receipt confirming the cancellation.
Cancel through google play (Android)
If you subscribed through the Google Play Store on an Android device, follow these steps to cancel through Google's system.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap Payments and Subscriptions.
- This option may be labelled "Manage my subscriptions" or "Subscriptions" depending on your Android version.
- Select Subscriptions.
- You will see a list of all active subscriptions.
- Find and tap Scribd.
- The page will show your renewal date and the monthly charge.
- Tap Cancel Subscription.
- Google will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a retention discount.
- Complete the cancellation process.
- Confirm the cancellation when prompted.
- Check your Gmail for a confirmation email from Google Play.
- Google will send a receipt to your registered email address.
Cancel by email if the website or app method fails
If you are unable to cancel through the website or app store, contact Scribd support by email.
- Compose a new email to [email protected].
- Use the email address tied to your Scribd account.
- Write a clear subject line.
- Example: "Please cancel my Scribd subscription (Account: [your email])".
- In the body, include:
- Your full name.
- The email address registered with Scribd.
- Your current subscription plan (e.g., "RM59.00/month Unlimited Membership").
- A clear statement: "I request the cancellation of my Scribd subscription, effective immediately or at the end of the current billing cycle."
- Your next renewal or billing date (if you know it).
- Send the email.
- Scribd support is listed as available 24/7, though response times vary.
- Wait for a reply and save the confirmation email.
- Scribd should respond within 2 to 5 business days with cancellation confirmation.
- Keep this email as proof of your cancellation request.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation does not immediately end your access. Scribd allows you to use your subscription until the end of your current billing cycle.
Your access timeline after cancellation
When you cancel, your subscription enters a "grace period" until the renewal date arrives. You retain full access to all Scribd content during this time. On the renewal date, your access terminates and no new charge appears on your payment method.
For example, if your renewal date is 15 March and you cancel on 1 March, you can read and listen until 14 March at 23:59. On 15 March, Scribd removes access and does not charge your card.
Confirming the cancellation took effect
Log in to your Scribd account approximately 5 to 10 days after your renewal date passes. The account should show "Subscription Cancelled", "Inactive", or no subscription section at all. If you see an active plan still listed, contact Scribd support immediately with your cancellation confirmation email.
Checking your payment method
Monitor your credit card, debit card, or app store billing account for 30 days after your renewal date. If a charge for RM59.00 appears after you have cancelled, contact Scribd support and provide your cancellation confirmation email. You have the right to request a refund for unauthorised charges.
Refund eligibility and dispute resolution
Scribd does not offer automatic refunds once you have received access to the service. However, specific circumstances entitle you to a refund under Malaysian consumer protection law.
When you can request a refund
You may request a refund if:
- You cancelled during a free trial period before the trial ended, and Scribd charged you anyway.
- You cancelled before your renewal date, but Scribd charged you after the cancellation was supposed to take effect.
- You did not agree to auto-renewal terms, or Scribd did not make those terms clear at the point of purchase.
- The service is substantially unavailable in your region (e.g., the majority of titles are geo-blocked).
How to dispute a charge and request a refund
- Contact Scribd support first by email at [email protected].
- Include your cancellation confirmation, your account email, and the date of the disputed charge.
- Request a refund in writing and explain your reason clearly.
- Give Scribd 7 to 10 business days to respond.
- If Scribd refuses or does not respond, escalate to your bank or payment provider.
- Contact the bank that issued your card or the app store (Apple or Google) that billed you.
- File a chargeback or dispute claim and provide your cancellation email as evidence.
- Your bank or app store will investigate and may reverse the charge.
- If the dispute remains unresolved, lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA).
- The MDTCA enforces the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and investigates breaches.
- Visit the MDTCA website or contact your nearest state office with copies of your correspondence and cancellation proof.
Pricing and subscription options
Scribd offers a single paid tier in Malaysia, though the service also advertises a free reading tier with limited titles.
| Plan |
Price |
Access |
Trial |
Auto-Renewal |
Best for |
| Unlimited Membership |
RM59.00/month |
All e-books, audiobooks, documents, magazines |
30 days (web) or 7 days (app) |
Yes |
Heavy readers and audiobook listeners |
| Free Tier (Basic) |
Free |
Limited titles, ads |
N/A |
No |
Light readers, trial users |
Common mistakes during cancellation
Cancellation is straightforward once you know where you subscribed, but several missteps can delay or prevent your cancellation from taking effect. The good news is that these mistakes are easily avoided if you follow the correct route from the start.
Mistake 1: cancelling on the wrong platform
Many users cancel on the Scribd website but forget they subscribed through the App Store or Google Play. Cancelling in the wrong place does not stop the charge. If you subscribed via Apple or Google, you must cancel through those platforms' subscription settings, not through Scribd's account page. Cross-check your initial sign-up receipt email to confirm the platform.
Mistake 2: waiting until the last day
Scribd requires cancellation at least 24 hours before your renewal date. If you cancel on the same day your subscription renews, the charge may still process. Mark your renewal date in your phone calendar and cancel at least 2 to 3 days in advance.
Mistake 3: not saving confirmation emails
After cancellation, save every confirmation email from Scribd, Apple, or Google. If you are charged after cancellation, these emails prove you submitted a valid cancellation request and protect you in a refund dispute or MDTCA complaint.
Mistake 4: assuming the cancellation button is missing because the account is already cancelled
If you do not see a cancellation button on the Scribd website, the account is likely still active. Try logging in from a desktop browser instead of mobile, clear your browser cache, or contact support. A missing button does not mean you are already cancelled.
Mistake 5: not checking your account after the renewal date
Log in to your Scribd account 5 to 10 days after your renewal date to confirm the subscription shows as cancelled. If the account still shows an active plan, alert Scribd support immediately. This step ensures you catch any processing errors before the next billing cycle.
How yafee helps you cancel with confidence
Cancelling a digital subscription should be simple, but many users encounter confusion about which platform handles their billing or worry about unexpected charges after cancellation. Yafee specialises in helping Malaysian consumers navigate subscription cancellations across digital services, and the team at Yafee understands the local regulatory framework that protects you.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel Scribd and other subscriptions by providing clear, step-by-step guidance tailored to Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999. If you encounter any issues during cancellation-such as a missing button, an unanswered support email, or an unauthorised charge-Yafee can advise you on your next steps and help you escalate the matter to the MDTCA if necessary.
The expertise available through Yafee covers not only the technical cancellation steps but also your legal rights and remedies if Scribd does not honour your cancellation request. By using Yafee's cancellation guides, you document each step, save evidence, and arm yourself with the knowledge to resolve disputes quickly.
Scribd does not operate a Malaysia-specific cancellation office. All cancellation requests go through one of these channels:
| Channel |
Address or URL |
Response Time |
| Website Cancellation |
scribd.com → Account Settings → Subscription |
Immediate |
| Email Support |
[email protected] |
2-5 business days |
| Help Center |
support.scribd.com |
Self-service articles |
| Apple App Store |
Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Scribd |
Immediate |
| Google Play Store |
Play Store → Subscriptions → Scribd |
Immediate |
| Global Scribd Office (written inquiries only) |
Scribd, Inc., 460 Bryant Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94107-2594, USA |
7-14 business days |
If Scribd fails to honour your cancellation or continues charging after you have submitted a valid cancellation request, file a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA), the regulatory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection in Malaysia. Yafee's cancellation guides include templates and step-by-step instructions for escalating complaints to the MDTCA, ensuring your consumer rights are respected.
Cancelling Scribd in Malaysia is legally straightforward under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, and you have multiple cancellation routes to choose from. Whether you cancel through the website, app store, or email, follow the steps in this guide, save all confirmation emails, and monitor your payment method for 30 days after your renewal date. If you encounter resistance or unauthorised charges, Yafee's resources will help you understand your rights and navigate the dispute resolution process with confidence.