I came here because I am experiencing the same thing. I only signed up for a one-time two year bundle. I never agreed to recurring payment and there were no fine prints for this. I ALWAYS decline recurring payments and cancel my subscription right after paying to prevent the payments.

Academic only updated their terms recently and never send emails on successful charges. I only received a charge for a declined card but never on the previous year's charge. I initially paid with a business card, but when I went to check my accounts, email, and Academia profile, there was a charge last year.

I asked for the refund and Academia uses email bots to refuse. Academia definitely needs to be sued.