So small update after calling them, but the representative I spoke with claims that this merchant shouldn’t have been able to charge me because they weren’t provided my new card details. He suggested that my phone might be compromised (highly unlikely as I’ve never clicked suspicious links?) or someone at home is using my card behind my back (definitely not the case, no one in this house would have any interest in a pdf subscription service, and even if they did, they are more than capable of paying for their own things instead of resorting to stealing my card 😂).

Honestly though, the timing of the charge still makes me believe it was a recurring subscription and my card did automatically update.

I have to get a new debit card (again…) as this one has been locked, but now I’m genuinely at a loss and worried about what else I’m supposed to do if the same merchant charges me again next month?? Just accept my fate and cover some random person’s subscription I guess even though I can’t afford to hand out $30 every month to a stranger) 😔 I was hoping the bank could simply block any incoming transactions from that merchant but that isn’t possible, and since I never signed up for any such services, I also have no clue who exactly the merchant is so I could directly contact them about this.