8 Common Subscriptions That Are Hard for Executors to Cancel
Some of the things that people leave behind when they die are uncanceled subscriptions. Here are 8 common subscriptions you might find as an executor.
Antivirus
Antivirus software, like Norton or McAfee, can be sold at a huge discount for the first year, and then double or triple upon auto-renewal. Given that these services work in the background, a paid subscription could be hard to spot even if you have access to the laptop or computer. Even worse, these services aren't automatically canceled when you get rid of the computer. If you have access to the computer, search for any antivirus software, then check if you can log into the service from there to cancel. If you can't access the computer, check if there were any charges on the last 12 months of bank statements. You may have to call the company to cancel.
Auto club
Auto clubs, like AAA, offer roadside assistance, discounts, travel planning, and more. Over 67% of members are older than 55, which means that this subscription is often overlooked by younger executors. When the owner of this subscription dies, check to see if anyone else is listed on the membership, like a spouse. To cancel the service, you can log into the owner's account and cancel online. If you don't have the credentials, contact member service by phone. These subscriptions typically auto-renew annually.
Gyms
Gyms are a great place to build both fitness and a social network. If the deceased worked out with a group, these friends may mention the gym when they hear about the passing. If not, check the key ring, since a lot of members keep their access card with their keys. Before canceling their membership, call to see if they may have had a locker or left any clothes or equipment behind. Staff will be happy to retrieve any items for you and have them packed at the front desk.
Newspaper
A newspaper subscription seems like an easy one to notice, since papers would pile up until delivery is canceled. However, many news subscriptions are digital with no paper component. If you have access to their email, look for newsletters or breaking news alerts, since many send these daily or weekly. Also look for news apps on their phone. If these don't work, check bank statements and remember to call and cancel.
Online storage
One reason online storage subscriptions, like iCloud, are extremely prevalent is because it's so easy to take high quality pictures from your phone. Storing, transferring, and sharing these pics are much easier with a cloud subscription. It should be easy to determine what if any plan someone is on by looking at their phone settings. However, if you don't have their credentials, or have not been added as a legacy contact with the company, accessing these files could be difficult. It may require a court order, and even then companies may still protect the original user's data. You could end up closing the account, but also losing all data.
Satellite radio
Streaming services in general present challenges to find, but satellite radio sticks out. This is because satellite radio is mostly tied to an automobile. Once you sell or get rid of that automobile, if you haven't canceled, you're paying for the new owner to enjoy the service. Although rare, the radio could be associated with a lifetime subscription. So you may not see any charges on a bank statement, but the service is still ongoing and may have been able to be transferred to a new radio.
Wine and food clubs
If wine and food clubs are delivering items monthly, then it's a good sign that there is an ongoing subscription. If the deceased was a member of a winery or brewery where they had to visit the location for specials or events, then keep an eye on postal mail for things like catalogs and seasonal offers. Be sure to ask if there were any orders that were prepaid but not yet delivered, like an upcoming batch of wine.
Wholesale clubs
Wholesale clubs, like Sam’s or Costco, charge an annual membership fee to shop at their stores. While these stores offer some great deals, they won't know to cancel a membership when someone dies. Check for membership cards in their wallet, or look for store brands in their home. Members' Mark (Sam’s) or Kirkland Signature (Costco) items are a huge hint that they shopped at a wholesale club.
To avoid the headaches that come with trying to discover uncanceled subscriptions, use the free Estate Map below to record this critical information.