Wi-Fi.ru is charging my card: How to cancel my subscription and get a refund

Have you noticed an unfamiliar charge on your bank statement? Wi-Fi.ru and don't understand why you were charged? Or have you suddenly discovered that small amounts are regularly being debited from your card for "Wi-Fi access services"? This situation is familiar to many—the service Wi-Fi.ru (formerly known as WiFi.ru or Wifire) often links users to paid plans without explicit consent. In this article, we'll discuss how to check active subscriptions, disable auto-payments, and refund debited funds.

It is important to understand: Wi-Fi.ru — This isn't a scam, but a legitimate service that provides access to public Wi-Fi networks (at airports, cafes, and hotels). However, its marketing methods aren't always transparent: a subscription can be activated after a single click on a "free trial" or even when connecting to an open network. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to deal with unwanted charges.

1. How to check if your Wi-Fi.ru subscription is active

Before disabling payments, make sure that the charges are actually related to Wi-Fi.ruTo do this:

• 🔍 Check it out history of operations In your bank's mobile banking app or personal account. Look for payments with the following names: Wi-Fi.ru, WIFIRU, WI-FI RU, LLC "Vafay.ru" or IP "Mobile Media".
• 📱 Visit the website wi-fi.ru (Don't click links in SMS messages!). Click "Login" in the upper right corner and try logging in using the phone number linked to your card.
• 📧 Check your email (including your spam folder) for emails from noreply@wi-fi.ru or support@wifire.com with subscription information.

If you can't log in to the site, it doesn't mean you don't have a subscription. It may be through partners (for example, MTS, Beeline or Megaphone). In this case, check your mobile operator's personal account in the "Subscriptions" or "Services" section.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to disable autopayment

If you have confirmed that your subscription is active, follow the steps below:

Method 1: Through your Wi-Fi.ru account

1. Go to account page and log in.
2. In the "My Subscriptions" or "Price" section, find your active plan (for example, Wi-Fi Premium, Wi-Fi Travel).
3. Click “Manage Subscription” → “Turn off auto-renewal”.
4. Confirm the action via SMS code.

Method 2: Via a mobile operator

If the subscription is connected via MTS, Beeline, Tele2 or Megaphone:

• 📱 MTS: send an SMS with text 0 to the number 1550 or go to Personal Account → Services → Subscriptions.
• 📱 Beeline: dial *110*09# or go to My Beeline → Subscriptions.
• 📱 Megaphone: send SMS STOP EVERYTHING on 0500.
• 📱 Tele2: dial *155*1# or use the "My Services" section in the app.

Method 3: Through a bank

If you can't cancel your subscription using other methods, block auto-payment at your bank:

• 🏦 Sberbank: Sberbank Online → Payments → Autopayments → Find Wi-Fi.ru → Disable.
• 🏦 Tinkoff: Application → Payments → Recurring → Delete.
• 🏦 VTB: VTB Online → Payments and Transfers → My Automatic Payments.

Attention! Blocking autopayment at your bank doesn't cancel your subscription. The service may continue to charge you money, and may impose penalties for non-payment. Therefore, first cancel your subscription on the website. Wi-Fi.ru or from the operator, and then block payments at the bank.

3. How to get your money back

If the money has already been written off, it can be returned within 30 days from the moment of payment. Follow the procedure below:

Step 1: Contact Wi-Fi.ru support

• 📧 Write to support@wi-fi.ru with the subject "Refund". In your email, please indicate:
• Phone number linked to the account;
• Date and amount of write-off;
• Reason for return (for example, “the subscription was connected without my consent”);
• Screenshot of bank statement (cover unnecessary data).
• ☎ Call the hotline: +7 (495) 120-09-09 (call is chargeable).

Step 2: Dispute the payment with your bank

If support Wi-Fi.ru If ignored or refused, file a claim with the bank:

1. In the bank's mobile app, find the "Disputed transactions" or "Dispute a payment" section.
2. Select write-off from Wi-Fi.ru and indicate the reason: “Unauthorized payment”.
3. Attach screenshots of your correspondence with the service support (if any).

The bank will review the application within 10–30 daysIf the money was debited using a suspicious scheme (for example, without 3D-Secure), the chances of a refund are higher.

Step 3: Complaint to Rospotrebnadzor

If the amount is significant (from 1,000 ₽), file a complaint with Rospotrebnadzor:

1. Go to Consumer Rights Protection portal.
2. Select “Submit a complaint” → “Violation of rights during the provision of services”.
3. Please provide the details Wi-Fi.ru (TIN 7703503460, OOO "Vafay.ru") and describe the situation.

A critical detail: if your subscription is through a mobile operator, you should file a complaint against them, not Wi-Fi.ru. In this case, please provide the operator's Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) (e.g., MTS PJSC) 7736207543).

4. Why does a subscription connect automatically: common schemes

Service Wi-Fi.ru uses several methods to connect users "invisibly." Let's look at the most common ones:

🔎 How can I check if I have a hidden subscription? Enter in your browser wi-fi.ru/unsubscribe — This is a direct link to the cancellation page (it works even without authorization). If you see an active plan, cancel it immediately.

What should I do if the subscription is connected to someone else's number?

If charges are being made to your card, but the phone number on your Wi-Fi.ru account isn't yours, it could be fraud. Immediately:

1. Block your card at the bank.

2. File a report with the police under Article 159.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (fraud with payment instruments).

3. Dispute the payments at the bank as unauthorized.

5. How to protect yourself from repeated charges

Cancelling your subscription is half the battle. To avoid further charges, follow these rules:

• 🛡️ Use virtual cards for online payments. Create a separate card with a limit of 100–200 ₽ in the bank's app (for example, Tinkoff or Sberbank).
• 📵 Disable auto payments For all unfamiliar services. Set up notifications about new subscriptions in your bank.
• 🔄 Check your subscriptions monthlyMake it a habit to log into your bank and operator account once a month.
• 🚫 Don't connect to open Wi-Fi without VPN. Use ProtonVPN, Windscribe or built-in VPN in the browser Opera.

⚠️ Attention! Some public networks (eg RT-WiFi on trains or Moscow_Free Paid services may also be available on the metro. Always read the terms of access carefully.

6. Wi-Fi.ru Alternatives: How to Connect to Wi-Fi Safely

If you need access to public networks but don't want to take risks, use these methods:

• 🌍 Roaming from the operator. U MTS, Beeline And Megaphone There are tariffs with unlimited internet in roaming (for example, MTS Unlimited for 490 ₽/month).
• 🔐 VPN + open networksConnect to free Wi-Fi, but use a VPN to encrypt your traffic. Free options: ProtonVPN, Windscribe (10 GB/month).
• 📡 Portable routers. Buy a 4G router (for example, Huawei E5577) and insert a SIM card with an unlimited tariff into it.
• ☕ Local cafe chainsMany establishments (for example, Starbucks or McDonald’s) provide free Wi-Fi without subscriptions.

💡 Advice: If you travel often, get one eSIM with an international tariff (for example, Airalo or Holafly). It's cheaper than paying for each Wi-Fi.

7. Common mistakes when unsubscribing

Many users are facing problems when trying to disable Wi-Fi.ruLet's look at common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• ❌ They only disable automatic payments at the bank., but not the subscription itself. Result: the service continues to try to charge money, and charges late fees.
• ❌ Ignoring SMS confirmationAfter clicking "Disable," they don't wait for the code or enter it incorrectly.
• ❌ Use unofficial websitesFraudsters create copies wi-fi.ru (For example, wi-firu.com) to steal card data.
• ❌ They don't save confirmationsAfter disabling a subscription, always take a screenshot of the page with the "Disabled" status.

⚠️ Attention! If charges continue after disabling, check:

1. Is the subscription connected to another number (for example, to a SIM card in a tablet).
2. Is it issued through a different operator (for example, if you have two SIM cards).
3. Has the service name changed in the bank statement (sometimes they write Mobile Media or MM WiFi).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 Is it possible to disable Wi-Fi.ru using a USSD command?

No, there is no universal USSD command to disable it. Wi-Fi.ru does not exist. If the subscription is connected through a mobile operator, use the commands to disable all subscriptions (see section 2). For a direct subscription on the website wi-fi.ru USSD won't help—you'll need to disable it through your personal account.

🔹 The charges have been going on for a year now. Is it possible to get all the money back?

Unfortunately, banks and services usually return funds only for the last 30–90 daysHowever, you can:

1. File a collective complaint to Rospotrebnadzor (if you find other victims).
2. File a claim for a refund under Article 16 of the Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights (illegal imposition of a service).

The court will require bank statements and screenshots of correspondence with support.

🔹 What should I do if wi-fi.ru says "No active subscriptions" but my account is still being charged?

This means your subscription was issued through a partner (operator, bank, or other service). Follow these steps:

1. Check your mobile operator's personal account.
2. Check with your bank which service the payment was made through (sometimes it is Robokassa or YooMoney).
3. Write to support Wi-Fi.ru with a request to check the account by card number (indicate the last 4 digits).

🔹 Can Wi-Fi.ru charge my account without my consent?

Technically, no, since you had to confirm your subscription (for example, by entering a code from an SMS or checking a box). However, in practice:

• Consent may be hidden in lengthy user agreements.
• Some partners (such as hotels) automatically connect guests to paid Wi-Fi.
• In rare cases, this may be a bank error or fraud.

If you are sure that you did not give consent, dispute the payment with your bank as unauthorized.

🔹 How can I check if I have other hidden subscriptions enabled?

Use these services to find active payments:

• 🏦 Banking applications: "Autopayments" or "Subscriptions" section.
• 📱 Mobile operators: USSD commands *111# (MTS), *106# (Beeline), *105# (Megaphone).
• 🔍 Monitoring services: SberThank you (for Sberbank clients), Tinkoff Subscriptions.
• 📊 State Services website: Some regions have a "My Subscriptions" section (requires a verified account).