Dormant Account & Inactivity Fees
What it looks like: "An inactivity fee of $5/month applies after 6 months of non-use."
The Trap
- You stop using a service but don't formally cancel. The inactivity fee kicks in silently.
- No warning — most T&Cs don't require notice before the fee starts. You discover it on your statement.
- Compounding dormancy: if you don't log in, you don't see the notifications, you don't know about the fee, and it keeps building.
- For prepaid accounts, dormant fees can drain your balance to zero before you ever use it.
The Dormancy Timeline
| Month | Status | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Active, regular use | Regular fee only |
| 6 | No login for 5 months | Regular fee |
| 7 | Threshold crossed | Regular + $5 dormant fee |
| 12 | Still no login | Regular + $25 accumulated dormant fees |
What to Search For
inactivity + fee, dormant, maintenance + fee, non-use
Your Action Plan
- Search for "inactivity," "dormant," and "maintenance" in the T&C before subscribing.
- If you stop using a service — CANCEL IT. Don't just abandon it.
- Set a calendar reminder to log in or use the service regularly.
- Remove your payment method from any service you don't actively use.
- If a dormant fee appears on a service you abandoned but didn't cancel, you may be liable. Cancel now and dispute if the fee seems like a penalty.