The scam that is Visa Account Updater

Visa Account Updater is a service by which if you change your credit card number, or even close and open a new credit card account, Visa can give a merchant your new credit card details for subscription services without ever asking your permission

I ran into an issue where I had some subscriptions that were very difficult to cancel, so I decided to just cancel that credit card number. I called Wells Fargo, told them to give me a new credit card number, which they did and I moved on with my life.

Next month, a bunch of the same charges. I call them back, they tell me about Visa Account Updater. I am extremely taken back that this is even possible. I told them I didn't want to be a part of that program, they told me that Visa handles this and not them. I call Visa and they tell me they don't handle this and that Wells Fargo does.

I call back Wells Fargo, they tell me they have no idea how to opt out of it. The lady asks her manager, the manager also doesn't know. She spends some time searching their documentation, nothing in the docs. She tells me the sure fire way is to close the account entirely and create a new account with a new card. I'm deeply annoyed but go ahead and do this.

Next month, guess what? A bunch of the same charges again, on a fresh account I haven't even activated the credit card for. I call Wells Fargo back, they talk more about Visa Account Updater but have no way of turning it off or rectifying the situation.

I'm now on hold for the last two hours as they try to figure out what to do about this. I can't believe this is even legal, its the most insane business practice I've ever seen. I get that this may be handy in some situations but its clearly a scam designed to perpetuate charging subscriptions to credit cards.

Hope this helps the next person.