OpenAI has taken $300 from my bank account and refuse to refund me

OpenAI is facing significant user backlash after a customer reported being charged approximately $300 for a cancelled ChatGPT subscription, with the unauthorized billing occurring monthly since October 25. The user discovered the charges only through bank statements, having received no email invoices from OpenAI. Compounding the issue, the user's account interface incorrectly displays a free subscription tier, which blocks access to payment management features and prevents cancellation of the active, paid plan. This technical glitch has created a scenario where the user is being billed for a service they cannot administratively control.

OpenAI's support response has been widely criticized as inadequate, with the team reportedly going 'radio silent' after the user sought help. Support allegedly insisted the user provide an invoice number to proceed with a refund—a document the user cannot generate due to the account's erroneous 'free' status. This catch-22 has left the individual feeling their money was 'essentially stolen,' with their credit card details effectively held hostage. The incident, shared on social media, exposes a severe flaw in OpenAI's billing verification and customer service escalation protocols, raising concerns for millions of paying subscribers about the security and transparency of their financial interactions with the AI giant. The user's stated last resort—canceling their credit card—underscores the disproportionate burden placed on customers due to systemic failures.