Cancel Vriendenloterij: The Right Way

How to cancel Vriendenloterij and stop recurring lottery charges

What is Vriendenloterij and why south africans cancel

Vriendenloterij is a Dutch subscription-based lottery that accepts participants across Europe, including South Africa. You pay recurring fees to enter regular draws, with a chance to win prizes while supporting charitable organisations. Many South African subscribers initially enjoy the possibility of winning, but later find the recurring costs drain their budget faster than expected, or they simply lose interest in playing.

The service is legitimate and regulated in the Netherlands. However, Tocancel has tracked persistent complaints from South African users about cancellation difficulties, unexpected charges continuing after attempted cancellations, and slow responses from customer service. Legitimacy does not guarantee an easy exit process.

Why cancelling Vriendenloterij feels difficult

The primary friction point is that Vriendenloterij requires you to navigate their Dutch-language website, call a Netherlands phone number, or post a letter internationally. Many users report that online cancellation attempts fail silently or loop back without confirmation, leaving you uncertain whether your request registered. This design pattern is common among European subscription services that prioritise retention over transparent exit processes.

If you have attempted to cancel and charges continue, you are not alone-and you have legal leverage to recover your money.

Your consumer rights as a south african participant

South African consumer law protects you when cancelling a subscription service, even when that service operates overseas.

Protection under the consumer protection act and POPIA

South Africa's Consumer Protection Act (CPA) gives you the right to cancel a subscription agreement without penalty during a cooling-off period and to receive a refund of unearned fees. Additionally, under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the right to request deletion of your personal data and to object to direct marketing communications. When you cancel with Vriendenloterij, explicitly state that you want your data deleted and that you object to future marketing.

Your legal position: if Vriendenloterij continues charging you after you have clearly communicated cancellation, those charges are unauthorised under South African law, and you can dispute them through your bank.

Chargeback and payment dispute rights

If Vriendenloterij continues debiting your card or bank account after you cancel, you have the right to dispute those charges with your South African bank or card issuer. South African banking regulations allow you to reverse unauthorised or incorrectly processed recurring payments. Document every cancellation attempt with dates, times, confirmation numbers, and references to emails or letters you have sent. Your bank will require proof that you cancelled and that charges persisted regardless.

Contact your bank's fraud or disputes department immediately if you spot recurring charges after cancellation, and provide them with your documented cancellation attempts as evidence.

Cancellation methods and how to choose

Vriendenloterij offers multiple cancellation routes; your choice depends on speed, language comfort, and documentation preference.

Online cancellation via mijn VriendenLoterij account (fastest if it works)

Log into your Vriendenloterij account on their website via Mijn VriendenLoterij (My Vriendenloterij). Navigate to your account settings and select the cancellation or "Stop Deelname" option. This method is instantaneous if successful. However, many South African users report that the web portal times out, displays error messages without clear feedback, or loops back without confirming cancellation. If the online method fails after two attempts, move to postal cancellation for documentation purposes.

Telephone cancellation with netherlands customer service (direct but international)

Call Vriendenloterij's Dutch customer service team on 088-020 10 57 or 088-020 10 20. Be aware that these are Netherlands numbers, so international call charges will apply from South Africa. Expect hold times of 10 to 30 minutes, particularly during European business hours. A staff member can confirm your cancellation in real time and provide a reference number, which strengthens your documentation if disputes arise later. However, language barriers and call costs may make this option less appealing.

Postal cancellation via registered mail (slowest but documented)

Send a signed cancellation letter via registered mail (such as Postnet or South African Post Office registered service) to Vriendenloterij's member services address. This method is slower-typically taking 2 to 4 weeks-but it creates a paper trail and proof of posting. Include your membership number, full name, current email, and a clear statement that you are cancelling your subscription effective immediately and requesting deletion of your personal data. Request a cancellation confirmation letter in return. Keep a copy of your letter, the registered mail receipt, and any response you receive.

Step-by-step cancellation process

Follow this sequence to cancel with confidence and create a documented record.

If you choose online cancellation first

1. Log into your Mijn VriendenLoterij account using your email and password.
   • If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link and reset via email.
   • If you cannot access your account, note the date and time you attempted login and the error message you received.
2. Navigate to Account Settings or Profiel (Profile).
   • Look for options labelled "Cancel", "Stop Subscription", "Mijn Inschrijvingen" (My Subscriptions), or "Deelname Opzeggen" (Cancel Participation).
3. Select the cancellation option and confirm your request.
   • Note the date, time, and any confirmation number displayed.
   • Screenshot or print the confirmation page immediately.
4. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation letter within 24 hours.
   • If you receive no email after 24 hours, proceed to postal cancellation.

If you choose postal cancellation

1. Draft a cancellation letter in English or Dutch (English is acceptable for South African correspondence).
   • Include your full name, membership or account number, email address, and phone number.
   • State clearly: "I wish to cancel my Vriendenloterij subscription effective immediately. Please confirm cancellation in writing and delete my personal data in accordance with POPIA."
   • Date and sign the letter.
2. Post the letter via registered mail to Vriendenloterij's address (see Address section below).
   • Request a signature on delivery to confirm receipt.
   • Retain the registered mail receipt and tracking number.
3. Record the posting date and tracking number in a spreadsheet or document for your records.
   • This becomes your proof of cancellation attempt if you need to dispute charges later.
4. Wait 5 to 7 business days for the letter to reach the Netherlands, then monitor your email for a confirmation response.
   • Vriendenloterij should respond within 10 to 14 days of receipt.

If you choose telephone cancellation

1. Note the current date and time before dialling.
   • Call during Netherlands business hours (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 CET) to minimise wait times.
2. Dial 088-020 10 57 or 088-020 10 20.
   • Be prepared for a Dutch-language greeting; ask to speak to an English-speaking agent if possible.
3. Provide your membership number and full name to the agent.
   • Clearly state: "I want to cancel my subscription effective today. Please confirm my cancellation and provide a reference number."
4. Ask for a cancellation reference number and the agent's name.
   • Write these down immediately and note the date and time of the call.
5. Request a cancellation confirmation email to your registered email address.
   • Ask the agent to send this while you are on the call if possible, so you can verify receipt before hanging up.

What happens after you cancel and refund expectations

After you submit your cancellation, the timeline and refund eligibility depend on your chosen method and local lottery regulations.

Cancellation processing timeline

Online cancellations should take effect immediately, but confirmation can take 24 to 48 hours. Postal cancellations typically process 5 to 10 business days after Vriendenloterij receives your letter. Telephone cancellations are confirmed in real time but may require 1 to 2 business days to process in their system. In all cases, your subscription should stop before the next billing cycle. Monitor your bank account or card for charges; if a charge appears 3 days after your confirmed cancellation, flag it as a dispute immediately.

Refund eligibility and what you can recover

South African consumer law entitles you to a refund of unearned fees-meaning fees paid for draws that have not yet occurred or taken place after your cancellation date. Vriendenloterij's terms may specify a minimum notice period (often 30 days) before the end of a billing cycle. If you cancelled mid-cycle, you may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion. However, draws that have already occurred are non-refundable. Request a refund calculation in writing when you cancel. Allow 10 to 15 business days for processing; refunds typically appear in your bank account 3 to 5 business days after Vriendenloterij initiates the transaction.

If your refund does not arrive

If Vriendenloterij does not refund you within 21 days of your cancellation confirmation, contact your bank and file a chargeback or reversal claim. Provide your bank with your cancellation documentation as evidence that you cancelled in good faith and are owed a refund under the Consumer Protection Act. Tocancel recommends escalating to the National Credit Regulator (NCR) or the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) if your bank declines the chargeback without explanation.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancellation friction often stems from small oversights that leave you vulnerable to continued charges and confusion about your status.

Using vague language in your cancellation request

Never write "I would like to consider cancelling" or "Please review my account." Use explicit language: "I cancel my subscription effective immediately" or "I am cancelling my membership as of today." Vague requests are easy for customer service to ignore or misinterpret. Your cancellation letter or email must be unambiguous so that if a dispute arises, Vriendenloterij cannot claim they did not understand your intent.

Failing to document your cancellation attempts

If you cancel online but receive no confirmation, you have no proof of your request. Screenshot every confirmation page, save every email, and record every phone call details (date, time, agent name, reference number). When you file a bank dispute or escalate to consumer authorities, your documentation is your strongest evidence that you cancelled in good faith. Tocancel users who maintain detailed records recover their money faster than those who cancel casually without records.

Continuing to use your account after cancelling

If you cancel but then log back in and participate in a draw, Vriendenloterij may argue that you re-engaged with the service and that your cancellation was conditional or incomplete. After you cancel, do not access your account unless you are checking for a refund confirmation or responding to a customer service query. Treat your account as closed.

Not following up on missing confirmations

If you cancel online and do not receive an email confirmation within 24 hours, send a follow-up email to customer service that same day. Include a reference to your cancellation attempt (date and time) and ask for written confirmation. Do not assume that silence means approval; silence often means your request was lost in the system. Proactive follow-up saves weeks of uncertainty.

Pricing overview and why recurring charges continue

Understanding Vriendenloterij's billing model helps you spot why charges may continue after cancellation.

Vriendenloterij often bills monthly in advance, meaning your payment covers draws in the upcoming month. If you cancel mid-month, your final charge may have already been processed. Additionally, if your cancellation does not take effect until the next billing cycle, you will see one more charge. This is why checking your billing date against your cancellation date is critical. Ask Vriendenloterij explicitly: "What is my next scheduled billing date?" If you cancel before that date, you should not see another charge.

Comparison of cancellation methods

Choose the method that best balances speed, documentation, and your comfort level.

Tocancel recommends starting with online cancellation for speed, then escalating to postal cancellation if online fails. This two-method approach combines speed with legal documentation.

After cancellation: what to monitor and when to escalate

Cancellation is not complete until you confirm that charges have stopped and your account is truly closed.

Monitoring your account and bank statements

For 60 days after cancellation, check your bank statement weekly for unexpected Vriendenloterij charges. Set a phone reminder for 30 days and 60 days post-cancellation to review your transactions. If you spot a charge after your cancellation date, photograph your bank statement and gather your cancellation documentation immediately. Time is critical; most banks require you to dispute charges within 60 to 90 days.

When to escalate to your bank or regulator

If charges continue 3 days after your confirmed cancellation, contact your bank's disputes team. Provide your cancellation confirmation, any emails or letters from Vriendenloterij, and screenshots of the unwanted charges. Your bank may issue a temporary credit within 48 hours while they investigate. If Vriendenloterij contests the chargeback, your documented cancellation attempt will support your case. If your bank refuses to help or takes longer than 30 days, escalate to the FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority, South Africa's banking regulator) or the NCR (National Credit Regulator) if credit or consumer credit is involved.

Address and how to submit your cancellation

For postal cancellation, send your letter via registered mail to:

Vriendenloterij Member Services
Laan van Vollenhove 2a
1217 VB Hilversum
Netherlands

Include "CANCELLATION REQUEST" in the subject line of your envelope or email. Allow 5 to 7 business days for delivery from South Africa, plus 10 to 14 days for Vriendenloterij's processing and response. Retain all receipts and tracking information.

Take control of your subscription today

Cancelling Vriendenloterij is your right as a South African consumer. While the company may not make it easy, you have clear legal protections under the Consumer Protection Act and POPIA, and you can dispute unauthorised charges through your bank if necessary. Start with the fastest method that works for you-online cancellation-and fall back to postal documentation if online fails. Document every attempt, monitor your account for 60 days, and escalate to your bank or the FSCA immediately if charges persist. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover their money by following these exact steps. Your cancellation is valid the moment you clearly communicate it; Vriendenloterij's slow response does not change that fact. Take action today and reclaim your budget.