Cancel Citation Machine: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel Citation Machine and reclaim your study budget

Why you should cancel Citation Machine now

Citation Machine is a subscription-based citation generator operated by Chegg, Inc. that creates formatted references in APA, MLA, Chicago and other academic styles. The service bundles citation tools with writing feedback, plagiarism detection and editing assistance, marketed as a complete writing companion for students and researchers across India.

You access Citation Machine through their website or via the Google Play and Apple App Store mobile apps. The platform offers free basic citation generation and paid subscription tiers that unlock advanced writing features. Many Indian students subscribe for a semester or specific project, then continue paying after the value disappears. If you recognise yourself in this pattern, cancelling immediately stops your recurring charges.

When cancellation makes financial sense

Citation Machine targets college and university students writing essays, research papers and thesis work. Your subscription makes sense only while you actively use the platform. The moment you finish your coursework, discover free alternatives like Zotero or BibTeX, or find you prefer your institution's writing centre, the service becomes a monthly drain on your budget. If you are paying without logging in, every 30 days you delay costs you unnecessary money.

At Tocancel, we help thousands of Indian students cancel subscriptions they have outgrown, and Citation Machine is one of the most common requests we see. The pattern is always the same: initial value fades, recurring charges continue, and inertia keeps you stuck. You have the power to stop this today.

The true cost of staying subscribed

Citation Machine's subscription plans range from ₹299 to ₹999 monthly depending on features. If you keep your account active for just six months without use, you lose ₹1,800 to ₹5,994. Over one year, that climbs to ₹3,588 to ₹11,988. This money belongs in your study fund, not in a service you no longer need. Cancelling eliminates this leak immediately.

Your consumer rights under indian law

India's consumer protection framework gives you statutory rights that supersede Citation Machine's terms and conditions.

The 14-day cooling-off period and your refund window

India's Consumer Protection Act, 2019 guarantees you the right to cancel any online subscription within 14 days of purchase if you have not substantially used the service. This cooling-off period applies to all Citation Machine subscriptions bought through the website, Google Play or the Apple App Store. Your legal position is clear: the company cannot refuse this right based on its own terms.

Citation Machine states that subscription fees are non-refundable, but this clause is overridden by Indian consumer law. If the company refuses to refund you during your 14-day window, escalate to the National Consumer Helpline (toll-free: 1800-11-4000) or file a complaint with your state consumer commission. Document everything: your cancellation request, the date you sent it, and any refusal or delay. This evidence becomes essential if you pursue a formal complaint.

What to do if you are charged unfairly

If you spot unauthorised charges or discover that Citation Machine charged you after you cancelled, contact your bank or payment card issuer immediately and request a chargeback or reversal. Your bank can reverse fraudulent transactions within 90 days of the charge. If the merchant disputes your legitimate chargeback, file a complaint with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through its SCORES (Centralized Online Complaint Resolution System) portal.

For Google Play or Apple App Store subscriptions, the app platform's refund policy often extends beyond the 14-day statutory window. Google Play permits refunds up to 48 hours after purchase; Apple typically allows 15 days if you request through your device settings. Always attempt a refund through the app store first before contacting Citation Machine support, as these platforms have direct authority over the transaction.

Your legal right to a refund is not negotiable, and neither is your right to escalate if the company refuses.

How to cancel Citation Machine step by step

Your cancellation method depends entirely on where you originally purchased your subscription. Tocancel recommends identifying your purchase method first, then following the corresponding steps below.

Cancel through the Citation Machine website

If you subscribed directly via citationmachine.net, follow these steps to cancel:

1. Visit citationmachine.net and log in with your email and password.
2. Navigate to your account settings or subscription dashboard (usually labelled "My Account" or "Manage Subscription").
3. Locate the subscription or billing section and select "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Plan".
4. Review the cancellation confirmation page and confirm that your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle or immediately, depending on your preference.
5. Keep the confirmation email or screenshot as proof of cancellation.
6. Monitor your bank statement or credit card over the next two billing cycles to ensure no further charges appear.

If you cannot locate a self-serve cancellation option on the website, proceed to contact Citation Machine's support team via email. Request explicit confirmation that your account is cancelled and no further charges will be processed.

Cancel through google play (Android)

If you subscribed via Google Play on an Android device, Google manages the subscription and refund process directly:

1. Open Google Play on your Android device and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select "Manage subscriptions" or "Payments and subscriptions".
3. Tap "Manage subscriptions".
4. Select the Citation Machine subscription from the list.
5. Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm your choice.
6. If you wish to request a refund (within 48 hours of the charge), tap "Report a problem" and select your reason.

Google processes cancellations immediately, and no further charges will occur after the current billing cycle ends. Tocancel advises capturing a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation for your records.

Cancel through apple app store (iPhone and iPad)

If you subscribed via the Apple App Store on an iOS device, Apple controls the subscription and refund:

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple device.
2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions".
4. Find Citation Machine in the active subscriptions list.
5. Tap Citation Machine and select "Cancel Subscription".
6. Confirm the cancellation and review the end date.
7. If you wish to request a refund (within 15 days of purchase), open the App Store, tap your profile icon, select "Purchase History", find the Citation Machine charge, and select "Report a Problem".

Apple will confirm your cancellation via email. Your subscription will end at the conclusion of your current billing period. Save this confirmation email as evidence of your cancellation request.

Cancelling if you used a third-party payment method

If you purchased Citation Machine through a third-party aggregator or payment gateway not listed above, contact that provider's customer support directly. Provide your order number, email address and the date of purchase. Request an immediate cancellation and confirmation that no further charges will occur. Tocancel recommends also contacting Citation Machine support simultaneously to ensure dual confirmation of cancellation.

Understanding Citation machine's pricing and subscription tiers

Knowing what you are paying for helps you decide whether cancellation is the right move.

If you are only using basic citation generation, the free tier delivers the same value for zero cost. Switching to the free version before cancelling preserves your ability to generate citations without recurring charges.

Common mistakes when cancelling Citation Machine

Many Indian students cancel incorrectly and end up charged again or lose refund eligibility. Here are the pitfalls Tocancel sees repeatedly.

Mistake 1: cancelling only the app, not the subscription

Deleting the Citation Machine app from your phone does nothing. The subscription persists in the background, and charges continue. You must cancel the subscription itself through your account settings or payment platform. Uninstalling the app is an afterthought, not a cancellation method. Always cancel the subscription first, then delete the app if you wish.

Mistake 2: missing your 14-day refund window

If you subscribed on 1 January, your 14-day cooling-off period ends on 15 January. After that, refunds become harder to claim, though you may still have grounds under consumer law if you can prove you never substantially used the service. Do not wait to cancel. Request your cancellation and refund within this window, ideally within the first 7 days.

Mistake 3: not keeping proof of cancellation

If you cancel verbally via phone or in a chat without a confirmation number or email, you have no evidence that you cancelled. Always request and save a written confirmation: a screenshot, email receipt or transaction ID. Without this, Citation Machine can claim you never cancelled if charges appear again.

Mistake 4: assuming "cancellation at the end of the billing cycle" means immediate refund

When Citation Machine says "your subscription will end at the end of the billing cycle," this typically means you will not be charged again, but your current payment has already been processed. If you are within 14 days and want a refund of your latest charge, you must request it explicitly. Cancelling does not automatically refund what you have already paid.

Mistake 5: ignoring charges after you cancel

Some students cancel successfully but do not monitor their bank statements for the next 60 days. Occasionally, systems glitch or support agents fail to process cancellations. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately for a chargeback rather than trying to resolve it with Citation Machine again. Time is critical here: you have 90 days to dispute the charge.

What to do after you cancel Citation Machine

Cancellation is not the end of your journey. These follow-up steps ensure your cancellation sticks and protect your budget.

Monitor your bank statement

Over the next two billing cycles after your cancellation, review your bank statement or credit card bill carefully. If you see another Citation Machine charge, contact your bank immediately and report it as either a duplicate charge or fraud, depending on what happened. Your bank can reverse the charge within 90 days. Do not assume a second charge is a mistake on your part; systems do fail, and it is better to dispute it than to lose money.

Request written confirmation of cancellation

If you cancelled via the app or website and did not receive an email confirmation, contact Citation Machine support and ask for written proof that your account is cancelled. Include your email address, account ID (if you have it) and the date you cancelled. Save their response. This becomes your evidence if disputes arise later.

Transition to a free alternative

Now that you have cancelled, use a free citation tool to replace Citation Machine. Zotero, Mendeley (free plan), Google Scholar and EasyBib's free version all generate APA, MLA and Chicago citations. Many of these tools integrate with word processors and are completely free. Your research does not stop at cancellation; it just stops costing you money.

Report your experience

If you faced difficulty cancelling, or if you were charged after requesting cancellation, report your experience to the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000) or file a complaint on the SCORES portal. These reports help identify patterns of unfair practice and protect future students. Tocancel also collects user reports to ensure our cancellation guides remain accurate.

Refund eligibility and timelines

Whether you receive a refund depends on when you cancel and how you purchased the service.

If you are outside the 14-day window but believe you never used the service meaningfully, you still have grounds for a complaint under consumer law. Tocancel recommends pursuing this before accepting a "no refund" response.

Common questions about Citation Machine cancellation

Will cancelling affect my saved citations?

Cancelling your subscription does not delete your saved citations immediately. However, access to advanced features may be restricted once your subscription ends. Export or save any citations you need before your cancellation becomes effective. After cancellation, the free tier of Citation Machine remains accessible for basic citation generation.

Can i pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

Citation Machine does not offer a pause or suspension feature. Your options are either to keep the subscription active or cancel it. If you might return to the service in the future, do not rely on an assumption that you can easily reactivate it; cancelling and re-subscribing is simple enough if circumstances change.

What if Citation Machine refuses to cancel my account?

If the company refuses to cancel after your written request, escalate immediately. Contact the National Consumer Helpline (1800-11-4000, toll-free) or file a complaint through the SCORES portal (scores.gov.in). You can also contact your state's consumer commission. Consumer law is on your side; the company's refusal is itself a violation of your rights.

Can i dispute the charge with my bank if Citation Machine refuses to refund?

Yes. If Citation Machine refuses a legitimate refund request, contact your bank and initiate a chargeback within 90 days of the charge. Provide your bank with proof of the subscription, your cancellation request and Citation Machine's refusal to refund. Your bank will investigate and reverse the charge if your claim is valid.

Address and contact information for escalation

If you need to escalate your cancellation dispute, use these contact points:

Chegg, Inc. (Citation Machine operator)
Corporate office: Chegg, Inc., 3990 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA
Customer support email: Contact through your account dashboard or the Citation Machine website
Phone support: Via app or website (check your account settings for your region's number)

Escalation in India
National Consumer Helpline: 1800-11-4000 (toll-free)
SCORES portal: scores.gov.in (file a formal complaint online)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) - SCORES: complaints.rbi.org.in (for payment-related disputes)
Your state consumer commission: Contact your state's consumer affairs department

Summary: take action on your Citation Machine cancellation today

Citation Machine is a useful service while you need it, but becomes a recurring drain the moment you do not. Your subscription costs ₹299 to ₹999 monthly, and unused subscriptions add up to hundreds or thousands of rupees annually. Indian consumer law guarantees your right to cancel within 14 days and to escalate to consumer authorities if the company refuses.

Your next steps are clear: identify how you subscribed, follow the relevant cancellation method above, request and save your confirmation, monitor your bank statement for two billing cycles, and report any further unauthorised charges to your bank or the RBI immediately. If Citation Machine refuses to refund you within your legal window, escalate to the National Consumer Helpline or your state consumer commission without hesitation.

At Tocancel, we have helped thousands of Indian students and professionals cancel subscriptions they no longer need, recover refunds and reclaim their budgets. Our guides, escalation tools and consumer rights resources are here to support you at every step. Visit Tocancel today to access additional resources, file a formal complaint if needed, and join a community of empowered consumers who refuse to pay for services they no longer use. Your study budget is yours to protect-start your cancellation now, and keep your money working for you.