Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/19/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Complaint Title: Unnotified Price Increase for Academia Premium Subscription Refund Requested Complaint Description:On May 17, 2025, I was charged PLN 598 via ****** for the renewal of my Academia.edu Premium subscription.This amount is twice as high as the fee I paid the previous year (PLN 299 in 2024). I was not informed in any wayneither by email nor through the platformabout this substantial increase in subscription cost.Had I been properly notified, I would have cancelled the subscription prior to renewal. The lack of communication regarding such a significant price change is, in my view, unethical and misleading. Additionally, the charge was processed automatically without any explicit confirmation or option to opt out.I respectfully request a full refund of PLN 598 and the cancellation of my Premium subscription, effective immediately.I am submitting this complaint in the hope that appropriate action will be taken and that other users will not be subject to similarly opaque billing practices in the future.Resolution Sought: Full refund of PLN 598

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2025

  Thanks for getting in touch over the phone! We see that your payment is
  associated with an Academia Premium renewal payment. Generally speaking,
  we are not able to process refunds for renewal payments - our 30 day
  refund policy is only for trial payments and first year subscription
  payments.
  
  However, after discussing this with our team, we've
  decided to grant you a one-time exception to our policy and process a
  refund for this payment. Depending on your bank, you will see the refund
  show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying
  it out.
  
  With your free account, you'll retain access to all our
  Academia free features, such as uploading and downloading single papers,
  messaging, basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the Academia community!
   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I want to submit a complaint against Academia.edu concerning the unauthorized withdrawal of $159 from my bank account on May 18, 2025. This amount was debited without my knowledge, consent, or any form of authorization. I have not signed up for a Premium Account. I need the money returned now.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2025

  Thanks for following up with this concern. After discussing this with our team, we've decided to grant you a one-time exception to our renewal refunds policy. However, moving forward we will not be able to offer refunds on renewal payments after your 30-day low cost trial and first year payment.
  
  Depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying it out.
  
  With your free account, you'll retain access to all our Academia free features, such as uploading and downloading single papers, messaging, basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the Academia community!
  
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/20/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I am awaiting the refund, which was promised. 
  

  I no longer want however to be receiving any "trial" memberships, and will be taking that up with academia.edu
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Hello,I am sending you a formal complaint regarding the renewal of my premium subscription on Academia.edu portal on 16th May 2025 and the charge of PLN ****** to my bank card number ************. My complaint is based on the fact, that prior to it, I did not receive any email from Academia.edu informing me of the increased annual premium subscription fee and asking for my consent to continue the subscription at this price. In 2024, I paid *** 299 for it, so this year's subscription increased of almost 150% is shocking to me and other members of Academia.edu. The biggest mistake was that Academia.edu did not inform me about this in advance and deducted these funds without my consent. Therefore, Academia.edus action was illegal and constituted a violation of both California and Polish ****** this connection, I demand that this fee in the amount of PLN ****** be refunded to my account linked to the above-mentioned bank card. On the other hand, Academia.edu may send me a proposal to extend my premium membership subscription on the academia.edu portal for the year 2025/26 with the specified financial amount. Then I will consider it and make an appropriate decision.Attached the invoice with the fee.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/28/2025

  ]
  Thanks for getting in touch. Our records currently indicate this payment was refunded!
  
  In some cases, if you refund very close to your purchase date, your original payment will have never been processed and been removed from your card.
  
  If you still see the original charge and no refund, please contact your bank or payment processor.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/29/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/15/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I signed up for a 1 dollar monthly account in April of 2024. It then charged me for a $159 for an annual account on May of 2024. I was fine with this charge since I knew I forgot to cancel. I then went through the process and thought I cancelled. I then noticed I was charged $299 on May 9, 2025. The only notification of the increased price was an email labelled similarly to all emails from the site. It was also only a week before the automatic renewal time. Despite the price nearly doubling they didn't request any new approval for the charge. I contacted them immediately May 10th when I noticed the charge. I requested a refund since I had not used the service in nearly a year and did not want to pay for the service. They refused a refund citing a policy to not issue refunds on account renewals. This is despite when I originally signed up them having a 30 day no questions asked refund even for renewals.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2025

  
  Thanks for following up with this concern. After discussing this with our team, we've decided to grant you a one-time exception to our renewal refunds policy. However, moving forward we will not be able to offer refunds on renewal payments after your 30-day low cost trial and first year payment.
  
  Depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying it out.
  
  With your free account, you'll retain access to all our Academia free features, such as uploading and downloading single papers, messaging, basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the *******************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I did a premium trial on 4/11/2024 for $1 and it charged for the annual premium subscription on 5/11/2024 for $159 accidentally without knowing the cost or that it would charge me. I did not authorize autorenewal for the upcoming year and they charged me for another annual subscription on 5/11/2024 at the price of $299. I reached out on 5/13/2025 after canceling my subscription and asked for a refund but they will not refund me the $299 that they just charged for this upcoming year. The services that they offer are a scam and fraudulent, and this cost is exorbitant. The way that they conduct business is misleading.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/16/2025

  
   
  Thanks for following up with this concern. After discussing
  this with our team, we've decided to grant you a one-time exception to
  our renewal refunds policy. However, moving forward we will not be able
  to offer refunds on renewal payments after your 30-day low cost trial
  and first year payment.
  
  Depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying it out.
  
  With
  your free account, you'll retain access to all our Academia free
  features, such as uploading and downloading single papers, messaging,
  basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the *******************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/18/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ********* *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/07/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  last month 4/16/2025 I identified and email NOT labeled Academia.edu stating that my card was going to be billed ******. I followed up and discovered that academia.edu had quietly raised the initial price of my membership from $99.99 to $249.00 to the current price. This was surreptitious and insidious and I did not sign up for this.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2025

  
  Thanks for getting in touch. Our records currently indicate this payment was refunded!
  
  In some cases, if you refund very close to your purchase date, your original payment will have never been processed and been removed from your card.
  
  If you still see the original charge and no refund, please contact your bank or payment processor.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/20/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/06/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am writing to file a complaint regarding an unexpected and unadvertised price increase by ***********. When I first subscribed to their premium plan, I was charged $169.00 CAD. However, on May 3, 2025, I was auto-renewed and charged ****** CAD (an increase of approximately 77% with no prior notice or communication). To be clear I did not receive any email or other form of notification regarding this increase. And as a struggling university student working to pay off student loans, this gargantuan increase is not only unaffordable, but frankly fraudulent. I have now cancelled my subscription, but I am requesting a full refund of the $****** CAD charge due to the lack of transparency and communication regarding this change. Although I submitted a complaint through ************ customer service system, I was met with an automated message indicating that responses are currently delayed. Therefore, I am escalating this matter through the BBB to ensure that my request is processed. Please see the attached screenshots for my account/billing information.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2025

  
  Thanks for getting in touch. Our records currently indicate this payment was refunded!
  
  In some cases, if you refund very close to your purchase date, your original payment will have never been processed and been removed from your card.
  
  If you still see the original charge and no refund, please contact your bank or payment processor.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/06/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hereby submit a formal complaint against Academia.edu concerning the unauthorized withdrawal of 884 PLN from my bank account on May 2, 2025, for an annual Academia Premium subscription. This amount was debited without my knowledge, consent, or any form of authorization. In 2024, I was likewise alarmed when Academia.edu withdrew ************************************************ prior notice. At that time, I attempted to resolve the matter by calling customer support repeatedly; the sole representative I reached assured me the subscription fee would not renew automatically the following year.I only learned of the unauthorized charge on May 5 via my banking app. I immediately reported the incident to my bank and blocked the card, but the transaction could not be reversed. Simultaneously, I contacted Academia.edus support office to demand a refund twice.This notice I received on April 25, 2025 failed to:1.Confirm that I had previously revoked auto-renewal consent;2.Specify the exact amount to be charged;3.Explain or justify the price increase;****** the clear and conspicuous standard.Moreover:I never activated or used the service on May 2, 2025, and immediately requested *************** and Polish law prohibit any subscription fee increase or debit without the subscribers explicit consent.Academia.edus sign-up process is instant and effortless, yet cancellation requires multiple convoluted steps - it is a deceptive practice.The renewal notice was buried among daily marketing emails and rightly filtered as spam, giving me no genuine opportunity to object.Academia.edu has unlawfully debited my account, breached both California and ********* consumer-protection laws, and refuses to refund despite clear statutory rights. As a protected consumer and member of the academic community, I demand the immediate return of all unlawfully withdrawn funds. I respectfully request the BBBs assistance in mediating this dispute.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/06/2025

  
  Thanks for following up with this concern. After discussing this with our team, we've decided to grant you a one-time exception to our renewal refunds policy. However, moving forward we will not be able to offer refunds on renewal payments after your 30-day low cost trial and first year payment.
  
  Depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying it out.
  
  With your free account, you'll retain access to all our Academia free features, such as uploading and downloading single papers, messaging, basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the Academia community!
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/08/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Thank you very much, Dear BBB, for your quick and efficient assistance, it was extremely helpful. 

  Sincerely,
  ****** *********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/04/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  With no advanced warning, I was charged a ****** renewal amount for a subscription I believe to have been previously canceled. The renewal amount is excessively beyond what I have paid in the past and appears to be a way in which Academia.edu pads their profits, as evidenced by numerous similar complaints.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/05/2025

  
   
  Thanks for following up with this concern. After discussing
  this with our team, we've decided to grant you a one-time exception to
  our renewal refunds policy. However, moving forward we will not be able
  to offer refunds on renewal payments after your 30-day low cost trial
  and first year payment.
  
  Depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying it out.
  
  With
  your free account, you'll retain access to all our Academia free
  features, such as uploading and downloading single papers, messaging,
  basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the *******************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/06/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. Thank you for your prompt response. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** **********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/01/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On Apr 22th, 2025, i was charged $249.00 for an auto-renewal for Academia.edu Premium. The previous year (my first), I paid $159/year. I received no notice of this huge increase or that the auto-renewal was about to process. I didn't notice the charge until I checked my credit card statement on April 30th and saw the charge. I immediately requested a refund on April 30thor a pro-rated return of the 50 weeks remaining in the membership. Academia.edu refused, citing a no-refund policy on renewals. These business practices are deceptive and exploitative: any respectable company should give notice of a price increase for a service, as well as giving notice that auto-renewal was upcoming to give the customer a chance to opt out. As I understand it, this is against the California Automatic Renewal Law (ARL), which requires that subscription services notify customers before their subscription automatically renews and provide renewal terms that include cost and how to cancel the service. ******** has also failed to comply with good business practices by refusing my reasonable request for a refund or for a pro-rated fee given that I was not notified of the greatly increased cost of the service or that the auto-renewal was upcoming. This is unconscionable.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/01/2025

  
  Thanks for following up with this concern. After discussing this with our team, we've decided to grant you a one-time exception to our renewal refunds policy. However, moving forward we will not be able to offer refunds on renewal payments after your 30-day low cost trial and first year payment.
  
  Depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up anywhere between 5-10 business days from now. Thanks for trying it out.
  
  With your free account, you'll retain access to all our Academia free features, such as uploading and downloading single papers, messaging, basic analytics, title search, and your profile.
  
  Please let us know if we can help you out with anything else, and thanks for being a part of the *******************