How to cancel Instant Checkmate in nigeria and reclaim your money
What Instant Checkmate is and why nigerians use it
Instant Checkmate is an online background-check and people-search service that aggregates public records and data to generate reports on individuals. If you have signed up, you likely use it to verify contact details, check criminal records, look up addresses, or research people before making decisions.
The service operates on a subscription model with recurring billing. You access reports through their website or mobile app, and charges renew automatically until you cancel. Many Nigerian users pay in USD or through app-store billing (Apple App Store or Google Play), which converts to Nigerian Naira at current exchange rates.
At Yafee, we understand that subscription services can be helpful when you need them and frustrating when you do not. If you have decided to stop using Instant Checkmate, this guide walks you through every step to cancel safely and pursue a refund if you qualify.
Common reasons nigerians cancel Instant Checkmate
You might cancel because the service no longer meets your needs, charges are higher than expected in Naira, you found alternative tools, or you did not authorize the subscription in the first place. Some users discover they were enrolled through a trial period that converted to paid billing without clear notification.
Your consumer rights in nigeria under the federal competition and consumer protection act
Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) protects you as a consumer.
Key protections that apply to Instant Checkmate
The FCCPA requires businesses to disclose terms clearly, honor cancellation requests, and handle refunds fairly. Consequently, Instant Checkmate must comply with these standards. Your rights include:
- The service must provide clear billing terms before you subscribe or upgrade.
- You have the right to cancel at any time without unreasonable barriers or penalties.
- If the company charges you without authorization, you can dispute the transaction.
- Refund policies must be disclosed upfront and applied consistently.
Your legal position
Under the FCCPA, you are entitled to cancel your subscription immediately. The company cannot impose a lock-in period, force you to call a phone line, or require you to jump through unnecessary steps. If Instant Checkmate refuses to process your cancellation or withholds a refund you believe you deserve, you can escalate your complaint to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
How to escalate your complaint to the FCCPC if needed
Keep records of your subscription date, billing statements, cancellation requests, and any refusal emails. If Instant Checkmate does not respond within 14 days or denies your cancellation, you can submit a formal complaint to the FCCPC through their official website or office. Include copies of your evidence. Yafee recommends documenting every communication with the company before escalating.
How to cancel Instant Checkmate: step-by-step methods
You have three primary ways to cancel your Instant Checkmate subscription.
Method 1: cancel online through your account (recommended)
This is the most direct route and leaves you with a digital confirmation receipt. Follow these steps in order:
- Visit the Instant Checkmate website on your computer or mobile browser.
- Use the same email address you registered with originally.
- Go to www.instantcheckmate.com or access the service through the app.
- Log in to your account with your email and password.
- If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" and follow the reset link sent to your email.
- Check your spam folder if you do not see the reset email within 5 minutes.
- Navigate to your account settings or membership settings.
- Look for tabs labeled "Account", "My Account", "Settings", or "Subscription".
- On mobile apps, this option often appears in the top-left or bottom-right menu.
- Find and click "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription".
- Some accounts show this under a Billing or Payment History section instead.
- If you cannot locate it, search for "subscription" using your browser's find function (Ctrl+F).
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation.
- You may see a survey asking why you are leaving; you can skip this.
- The company may offer you a discount to stay; decline unless you genuinely want to keep the service.
- Take a screenshot or download your cancellation confirmation email.
- This proof is essential if you later need to dispute a charge or file a complaint with the FCCPC.
- Save it to your email or cloud storage for at least 6 months.
Method 2: cancel via email or written request
If you cannot access your account online or prefer written documentation, contact Instant Checkmate directly by email.
- Compose an email to the company's support address.
- Use a professional tone and include your full name, email address, and subscription account number (if you have it).
- State clearly: "I request immediate cancellation of my Instant Checkmate subscription effective today."
- Request a written confirmation of your cancellation.
- Write: "Please confirm this cancellation in writing and provide the date it takes effect."
- This creates a paper trail that protects you if charges continue after cancellation.
- Send the email from the same address registered to your account.
- Keep a copy of the sent email in your records.
- Wait for a response within 7 business days.
- If you do not receive a response, follow up with a second email marked "Second Notice".
- If the company still does not respond, you can file a complaint with the FCCPC or pursue a charge reversal through your payment provider.
Method 3: cancel through your payment provider or app store
If you subscribed through Apple App Store, Google Play, or a credit card processor, you can cancel directly through those platforms.
- For Apple App Store subscriptions, open the App Store app on your device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select "Subscriptions" and find Instant Checkmate.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
- For Google Play subscriptions, open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions" then "Subscriptions".
- Find Instant Checkmate and tap "Cancel subscription".
- For credit card charges, contact your bank or card issuer directly.
- Request a dispute or chargeback if Instant Checkmate has not honored your cancellation request after 30 days.
- Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation confirmation email or screenshots.
- Monitor your account for 2 billing cycles after cancellation.
- Verify that no further charges appear on your statement.
- If you see a charge after cancellation, contact your bank immediately to request a refund.
Refunds and billing timeline after cancellation
Understanding how your refund works is critical to protecting your money.
What happens immediately after you cancel
When you cancel Instant Checkmate, your subscription stops immediately. You lose access to the service at that moment, even if you have paid for the current billing period. Yafee recommends canceling on the day you plan to stop using the service, not weeks in advance, to avoid paying for unused time.
Refund eligibility and timeline
Instant Checkmate's refund policy depends on your payment method and how long you have been subscribed. In accordance with the FCCPA, the company must be transparent about this policy. Typically, refunds operate as follows:
| Scenario |
Refund eligibility |
Timeline |
| Cancelled within 7 days of subscription |
Full refund likely |
5-10 business days |
| Cancelled after 7 days but before next billing date |
Partial refund (depends on policy) |
5-10 business days |
| Cancelled after charges incurred |
No refund; access stops immediately |
N/A |
| Unauthorized subscription or fraud |
Full refund required |
5-15 business days |
| Charged after cancellation request |
Full refund required |
5-15 business days |
How to request a refund after cancellation
If you believe you qualify for a refund, contact Instant Checkmate within 14 days of cancellation.
- Email the support team with your cancellation confirmation and refund request.
- State the reason: "I cancelled my subscription on [date]. I request a refund of ₦[amount] charged on [date]."
- Provide proof of payment (statement screenshot or email receipt).
- Show the charge date, amount in Naira, and your account email.
- Wait 7 business days for the company's response.
- If approved, the refund posts to your original payment method in 5-10 business days.
- If the company denies your refund without reason, escalate to the FCCPC or your bank.
Pricing and billing methods in nigeria
Instant Checkmate charges vary depending on your subscription tier and payment method.
| Subscription tier |
Monthly cost (approximate) |
Billing frequency |
Currency |
| Standard (recommended) |
₦4,000-₦5,500 |
Monthly auto-renew |
NGN or USD converted |
| Premium |
₦7,000-₦9,000 |
Monthly auto-renew |
NGN or USD converted |
| Trial (first 3 days) |
Discounted or free |
Then converts to paid |
NGN or USD converted |
| Annual plan |
₦35,000-₦50,000 |
Yearly auto-renew |
NGN or USD converted |
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. If you pay in USD, your actual Naira charge depends on your bank's or app store's conversion rate, which may include a markup. Yafee recommends checking your bank statement in Nigerian Naira to verify the exact amount charged.
What to do after you cancel Instant Checkmate
Cancellation is not the end of the process; you must monitor your account to ensure charges stop.
Monitor your billing for 30 days
After you cancel, watch your bank or credit card statement closely for the next billing cycle. Verify that no charge appears on the expected renewal date. If a charge posts after your cancellation confirmation, contact your bank immediately to dispute it.
Delete the app if you prefer
Removing the Instant Checkmate app from your phone or device prevents accidental re-subscription. Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription; you must cancel through the methods above first.
Save your cancellation confirmation
Keep your cancellation email or screenshot in a dedicated folder for at least one year. If the company ever attempts to collect from you illegally, you will have proof of cancellation. Yafee recommends saving this evidence to your email or cloud storage so you never lose it.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Instant Checkmate
Cancellation is straightforward, but a few missteps can delay your refund or leave you vulnerable to further charges.
Do not assume deleting the app cancels your subscription
Removing the Instant Checkmate app from your phone does nothing to your subscription. The company will continue billing you monthly until you officially cancel through your account settings or contact the company. Consequently, always cancel your subscription first, then delete the app.
Do not ignore your bank statement after cancellation
Some users cancel but forget to monitor their account. If Instant Checkmate processes a charge after your cancellation date, you must dispute it within 30 days to maximize your refund chances. Set a calendar reminder to check your statement on the old billing date.
Do not pay any "re-activation" or "cancellation" fees
Instant Checkmate cannot charge you a fee to cancel your subscription under the FCCPA. If the company demands payment to close your account, this is illegal. Refuse to pay and escalate the matter to the FCCPC immediately.
Do not lose your confirmation email
Your cancellation confirmation is your only proof. If you receive a refusal email or a disputed charge later, this email is your defense. Forward it to your personal email address if you are cancelling from a work account, and save it to cloud storage.
Comparing Instant Checkmate to alternative people-search services
If you are cancelling because the service does not meet your needs, you may want to compare it to other options.
| Service |
Monthly cost |
Key features |
Cancellation ease |
| Instant Checkmate |
₦4,000-₦5,500 |
Criminal records, contact info, addresses |
Good (online method available) |
| BeenVerified |
₦5,500-₦7,000 |
Background checks, phone records |
Good |
| PeopleFinders |
₦3,500-₦5,000 |
People search, reverse phone lookup |
Moderate |
| TruthFinder |
₦6,000-₦8,000 |
Criminal history, arrest records |
Good |
If you need to contact Instant Checkmate directly for any reason, use the information below.
Instant Checkmate support contact
The company's main address is available on their website. For cancellation requests, email their support team directly rather than calling, as email creates a documented record that protects you under the FCCPA. Furthermore, if you escalate to the FCCPC, you will have written evidence of your cancellation attempt.
File a complaint with the FCCPC if necessary
If Instant Checkmate refuses your cancellation request or withholds a refund, you can file a formal complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The FCCPC has the authority to investigate, levy fines, and force the company to refund you. Visit the FCCPC website or visit their office to file a complaint. Include all documentation: cancellation emails, billing statements, and proof of payment.
Dispute the charge with your bank
If the company continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank or credit card issuer within 30 days. Request a chargeback or dispute. Provide your bank with your cancellation confirmation and evidence that the charge was unauthorized. Your bank will investigate and typically refund you within 15-30 business days.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling Instant Checkmate is your right under Nigerian law. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act protects you and guarantees your ability to cancel without penalty. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions safely and recover refunds they deserved. Use the online method (Method 1) whenever possible for fastest processing. Save your cancellation confirmation, monitor your bank statement for 30 days, and escalate to the FCCPC if the company ignores your request.
Your next step is to log into your Instant Checkmate account today and begin the cancellation process. If you encounter any barriers, Yafee recommends emailing the support team immediately with a formal cancellation request. Do not wait for the next billing date. Act now to stop unwanted charges and protect your money.