Dec 20, 2025
A Canadian family recently discovered a jarring financial truth: Cancelling their aging father’s credit card didn’t stop some of the recurring charges on it. Their dad was in declining mental health and prone to confusion. Their mom had been managing the household finances, but she suffered a stroke and was hospitalized.
Amid this crisis the adult children stepped in to take care of their parents’ money. They thought they took the right steps. They contacted their dad’s bank to cancel his credit card and issue a new one with a completely new number. They assumed this would be enough to stop any recurring payments like subscriptions linked to the old card.
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But when the first statement for the new card arrived, they discovered charges from Amazon (and other subscription services) were still somehow showing up. The recurring payments were appearing as fresh charges even though the original card had been cancelled and replaced.
The anecdote above is a fictionalized account, but it represents an increasingly relevant issue as more and more Canadians become caregivers for their aging parents.
Why cancelling a card doesn’t always stop recurring charges
According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (1), cutting a card or letting it expire doesn’t actually cancel the underlying account. You have to contact the credit card company directly and request that the account be closed. Make sure you ask for confirmation in writing that the company has closed your account. Once you receive this confirmation, destroy the card and keep the confirmation for your records. Even after you do all that, some transactions might keep appearing, especially recurring payments you approved before closing the account.
The reason subscriptions continue after a card is cancelled is related to something called “card updater” services. These are programs offered by credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard that automatically update merchants with your new card number when a replacement is issued. This is a feature rather than a bug. It ensures subscriptions continue uninterrupted in the event that a card expires.
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What this means for those caring for aging relatives
Canadians are bombarded with automatic repayment schemes. It’s very easy to lose track of what payments you make on a regular basis and how to cancel unwanted subscriptions. It’s even more daunting for aging Canadians whose mental faculties may be declining or who are less tech savvy than the rest of the population. This issue can cause real financial harm.
As an increasing number of Canadians care for aging relatives, they are also squeezed for time. Often they are still caring for their own children. They may assume that cancelling a card is a quick fix and that it will stop all unwanted charges. The reality is otherwise.
What you should do if caring for a relative’s money (and what you’re responsible for)
Step 1: First make a list of all recurring payments
You should start by reviewing past statements and identifying all recurring charges. That includes all streaming services, shopping memberships and digital subscriptions. Then make a list of which subscriptions are connected to which card.
Step 2: Cancel each recurring payment manually
It’s best to contact each merchant directly to cancel the subscription. For example, if you subscribe to Netflix or The Globe and Mail, then reach out to those companies directly to cancel.
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Step 3: Keep the proof that you cancelled the subscription
Whenever you contact a merchant, make sure you ask for proof of the cancellation for your records. This could be an email, a screenshot or a letter.
Step 4: Watch statements like a hawk
Even after you cancel a card or get a new one, keep a close eye on your statements. Charges can slip through. If you notice something suspicious, contact the card company straight away and dispute the charge. And finally, keep a spreadsheet of all the subscriptions you actually want to keep. List the renewal dates and annual costs, too.
For families juggling caregiving, household finances and countless other priorities competing for their attention, surprise charges like these are just one more stressor in an already harried modern life. But this isn’t an inevitable outcome of managing someone else’s finances. With a willingness to dig into the details, you can regain control and ensure your loved ones’ finances are in the best shape possible.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Governent of Canada (1)
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Grant Surridge is a finance-focused editor and writer with more than two decades of experience. His work and bylines span a range of international outlets and institutions, including the National Post, Reuters, Microsoft’s MSN.ca, and Samsung Securities.
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