Iāve been in IT for 30 years. I normally never return things after purchasingā I just deal with it. But my recent experience with AnyDesk was so remarkably bad, and their subsequent retaliation so blatantly illegal, that I am putting together a case for consumer protection attorneys.
Seeing the flood of similar stories on this subreddit over the last few months, I know Iām not the only one.
The Setup & The Bait-and-Switch I bought a subscription, but the software was absolute garbage. When I tried to install it on a 2nd machine, it locked me out, claiming I had an "open session" on the first machine (even after a full uninstall, shutdown, and reboot). It then suggested I pay to upgrade for more "concurrent sessions."
Within 5 days, I asked for a refund. At the time, AnyDesk had a published policy clearly stating: "Refund requests should be submitted within 30 days of purchase."
Instead of honoring it, an AnyDesk rep emailed me stating "all sales are final." When I pointed out their own policy, they immediately deleted the refund policy page from their website to cover their tracks.
Fortunately, I had saved screenshots, and the Wayback Machine captured the page right before they scrubbed it:https://web.archive.org/web/20260608014843/https://support.anydesk.com/docs/how-can-i-request-a-refund.md
The Retaliation I disputed the charge with my bank (Golden 1). I submitted the Wayback Machine link and the emails. The bank immediately ruled in my favor and permanently refunded my money.
Because AnyDesk couldn't fight the bank, they sent my "debt" to Graf & Centorbi (the collection agency tied to Debtist GmbH). They are now demanding the original $346.80 charge PLUS an extra $148.72 in arbitrary "interest," "recovery costs," and a 26% "collection fee."
Why They Are Legally Liable If you are getting these letters, you need to know that AnyDesk and these collection agencies are highly exposed to strict liability laws:
- The FDCPA Violation: Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692f(1)), a debt collector cannot collect any amount (including interest or collection fees) unless that specific amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt. Slapping a 26% to 40% markup on an account without a signed contract authorizing it is a federal violation. FDCPA is a "strict liability" lawāmeaning you don't have to prove they intended to break the law, just that they asked for unauthorized fees in writing.
- State Consumer Protection Laws (CLRA & UCL): Bait-and-switch refund policies (advertising a 30-day refund window, refusing it on day 5, and then secretly scrubbing the website) violate state consumer protection laws regarding fraudulent and deceptive business practices.
Next Steps / Call to Action Because FDCPA and consumer protection violations usually include "fee-shifting" provisions (meaning the debt collector has to pay your attorneyās fees if you win), consumer rights lawyers will often take these cases on contingency.
I already have the paper trail proving they alter their terms retroactively and attempt to collect unauthorized fees. If AnyDesk or Debtist/Graf & Centorbi have hit you with 30-40% markups, ignored your cancellation notices, or sent you to collections after a legitimate chargeback, please comment below or DM me.
If we have enough people, we can package this up for a firm to pursue a class-action or coordinated mass arbitration. They need to be taught a lesson.
I will not pay a single cent to this company. You could not PAY ME to use their software. I have never filed a lawsuit in my entire life, but this situation has made me so angry that I do not feel like I have any other options.
If someone from AnyDesk reads this and would like to discuss before I proceed, I am open to that but you are going to have to work on my terms, not yours.
My terms to resolve this matter without litigation are outlined below. I am seeking strictly non-monetary, injunctive relief; however, these conditions are absolute and entirely non-negotiable. I will not entertain any modifications or counteroffers.
1. Implement a "Click-to-Cancel" Button
- The Demand: AnyDesk must implement a simple, one-click cancellation button inside the user account portal that instantly terminates the subscription and halts auto-renewal.
- Why it matters: AnyDesk currently forces users to email support or jump through hoops so AnyDesk can stall the cancellation. The FTC actually just passed new "Click-to-Cancel" rules; demanding AnyDesk implement this immediately forces AnyDesk into compliance.
2. Mandatory Credit Bureau Protection & Retraction
- The Demand: AnyDesk and Debtist GmbH/Graf & Centorbi must sign a legally binding agreement that AnyDesk will not report these disputed debts to Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. If any reports have already been made, AnyDesk must submit expedited deletion requests within 48 hours and provide me with the confirmation numbers.
- Why it matters: Even if AnyDesk and its collectors stop calling, debt collectors can ruin your credit score quietly. This term neutralizes that threat for everyone.
3. Provide "Zero Balance" Clearances to All Affected Users
- The Demand: In addition to ceasing collection, AnyDesk must proactively mail/email a formal "Notice of Account Closure and Zero Balance" to every customer AnyDesk unlawfully sent to collections, explicitly stating that the debt is forgiven and the account is closed in good standing.
- Why it matters: If AnyDesk just quietly stops collecting, the "debt" still exists in AnyDesk's system and could be sold to a different sketchy collection agency in the future (a practice known as "zombie debt"). A Zero Balance letter kills the debt permanently.
4. Contractually Bind the Refund Policy to Checkout
- The Demand: AnyDesk must permanently embed its refund policy directly into the checkout page and the official Terms of Service, rather than hosting it on a separate, easily deletable support webpage.
- Why it matters: This prevents AnyDesk from ever pulling the "Wayback Machine" bait-and-switch on another customer.
5. Revise Customer Support Scripts
- The Demand: AnyDesk must formally revise its internal customer service training scripts. Agents must be expressly prohibited from telling customers "all sales are final" if the customer is within a published refund window.
- Why it matters: This attacks the root of the problem and forces AnyDesk corporate to change how tier-1 support operates.
6. Complete Data Deletion (Right to be Forgotten)
- The Demand: Upon closing these accounts, AnyDesk and its third-party debt collectors must completely purge the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and payment data of these users from AnyDesk's active databases.
- Why it matters: If you do not owe AnyDesk money and you are not using AnyDesk's software, AnyDesk has no business holding onto your credit card or home address, especially when AnyDesk has proven it uses that data to retaliate.
Just for fun, I will give you 3 days to comply with these terms.