Unauthorized money deductions by SmartyMe app on App Store

This ap is a scam plain and simple. Sounds like a fun idea but they don’t exist, can’t contact and they start making unauthorized deductions immediately. Many people are reporting this. Ap should not be sold by Apple ap store.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Jan 1, 2025 12:15 PM

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Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 10, 2025 10:22 AM

Smart me is a scam. I’ve been charged for 3 months, I didn’t sign up and I can’t contact them to cancel. How did anyone cancel them. rip off!

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Apr 18, 2025 4:50 PM in response to CmaDR

CmaDR wrote:

Same here, and when I called apple, they verified that I hadn’t downloaded the app. After a lot of drama, I ended up changing my card number, which the rep said would prevent them from charging me again.

It has nothing to do with the app in the App Store. You made a purchase online and there was an option to save some money by trying the free trial subscription to SmartyCash. The purchase you made could have been a month ago where you have now just saw the subscription charge after the trial ended. These offers appear on well known websites such as eBay, Nike, Amazon and even if you pay your AT&T bill online. The subscription with Smarty is made directly with them and does not involve Apple at all.


I assume you contacted the bank of the card being charged, but you need to know that simply changing your card number does not prevent subscription charges from appearing on the new card. Your bank must specifically block that charge. The PNO (Payment Network Operator), such as VISA or Mastercard, use a Credit Card Updater service that automatically transfers subscriptions over to any new card. Your bank is also well aware as they participate in the update process to notify the PNO.

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Apr 22, 2025 8:25 PM in response to Fraudulentsmartyme

Smartme is a scam company!!!! My credit card was charged 4 times. I cancelled my subscription because the content is deceptive and useless. False advertising. Not sure why my card got charged four times. Farudsters! Won't recommend and will post this on social media for everyone to see. Good Luck with your business model

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Apr 30, 2025 10:59 AM in response to Fraudulentsmartyme

Hi everyone!


I just wanted to share something I discovered today – the company (app) charged my account twice, totaling around 50 euros. I had to block and replace my card.


What’s strange is that I never created an account or confirmed any subscription with them. I’ve already sent them an email asking to cancel the subscription, but the whole situation seems very suspicious to me.


I don’t understand how Apple even allows such an app in the App Store. It should be banned immediately.


Does anyone know what kind of consequences will be taken against this company?

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Apr 30, 2025 11:32 AM in response to Aleksandra_Basten

The app has nothing to do with the subscription you had and you don't even need the app to see the subscription charges. SmartyApp partners with many websites where you made a purchase and there was an option for a reduced price. In the details there was likely more information, but it was overlooked. What you agreed to was a free trial that would become a subscription. The charge you see likely occurred from a transaction made 30 days ago when the free trial started.


This has nothing to do with Apple and you would have been charged whether you had an iPhone, Android phone, or no phone at all and made a purchase from a different device where there was not even an app. It does not require you to create a different account and the website you used that partnered with Smarty is who you should contact or refuse to give them your business. Review your purchase history with that payment method and look for places where purchases were made probably 30 days before you saw the first charge and it should not be too difficult to figure out the source.

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Apr 30, 2025 3:01 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thank you for your message, but I would like to clarify a few important facts:


I have never created an account or downloaded the SmartyApp application. I did not log in, register, or knowingly confirm any subscription with them at any point.


I did not make any purchases through a website that partners with SmartyApp, nor did I choose any option offering a discount in exchange for starting a free trial. I have thoroughly reviewed my transaction and browsing history, and there is nothing that links me to their service or justifies these charges.


I was charged twice, totaling approximately 50 euros, without my knowledge or consent. This is not a case of forgetting to cancel a free trial — I never knowingly signed up for anything, and no terms were ever presented to me in a transparent way.


This seems to be a clear example of a deceptive billing practice, also known as a “dark pattern,” where a user is tricked into subscribing or charged without informed consent. Such practices are considered illegal under EU consumer protection law.


Please understand this is not about making assumptions — I am speaking strictly from my personal experience and the facts: I had no interaction with this service, no agreement, no registration, and no understanding that I was being subscribed to anything. The charges came as a complete surprise.


If you have any evidence to the contrary, I’m open to reviewing it — but without clear proof of consent, this situation remains deeply problematic and unfair.

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Apr 30, 2025 5:34 PM in response to Aleksandra_Basten

And to be clear, you are not being billed by Apple? You have already confirmed that you do not have the app or created an account with them and that has all been true for others as well. The Smarty website even confirms you do not need to create an account or use an app. Those that did find this charge on their card made a purchase on a website, and did not know they were agreeing to the Smarty subscription. It is absolutely deceptive and finding the source where you were tricked is going to be the key.


The most common websites where I have seen that resulted in a Smarty subscription was eBay and one called Fanatics, but there are many others. You are in the best position to determine what site that could have been for you. You also have the ability to file a complaint with your Consumer Protection agencies in the EU. Here in the US, we have the FTC.

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May 1, 2025 8:28 AM in response to Fraudulentsmartyme

I received a response from SmartyMe – they said that after careful consideration, they have approved my refund request, and the refund is being processed. They mentioned I should receive the money within 10 business days. Let’s see if this actually happens and if I do get my money back.

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May 1, 2025 3:51 AM in response to Fraudulentsmartyme

Please note that by choosing "unsubscribe" you will only be able to opt-out from receiving further emails, while for cancelling the existing subscription to smartymeapp.comyou should contact our support via support@smartymeapp.com

STELLARTECH LIMITED, 13 Karaiskakis Street, CY3032 Limassol, Cyprus

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Unauthorized money deductions by SmartyMe app on App Store

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