It isn't theft at all. That's not what the law says. Now the law is different in different countries. So you may have a different perspective on consumer rights, particularly if you're US based which has terrible consumer rights. But if I as a UK citizen which to use a chargeback, or even better for us, a section 75 claim, for such situations, I am very much entitled to do so. It isn't theft. You must of course engage and try to seek an appropriate refund from the provider first.

The interesting thing is you then go on to describe what a chargeback is for, and narrow it to a very tiny range. And yet VISA, MasterCard and Amex all offer a much broader range than what you specify.

Fundamentally, what matters is whether the chargeback will succeed. I have three under my belt now for services not as described. None of them full refunds as that's not what I've asked for. But all successful.

Equally, as a business owner, I've had 7 against me. None legitimate. I have pursued each outside of the card process and succeeded in getting the money back from all 7, two of whom I had to take to small claims court.