Warning: unexpected (and unwanted) charges from ElevenLabs

Beware of Unexpected Charges from ElevenLabs: A Cautionary Tale for Voice Synthesis Users

In the rapidly evolving world of AI-powered voice synthesis platforms, ElevenLabs has established itself as a prominent player, offering innovative tools for content creators, developers, and enthusiasts. However, recent experiences shared by users highlight potential pitfalls that others should be aware of before engaging with this service. Here’s an in-depth look at one user’s ordeal with unforeseen billing issues.

A Personal Experience with Surprise Billing
Initially, the user signed up with ElevenLabs in December, motivated by the prospect of sharing their voice and perhaps earning some income. After uploading several recordings, they were dissatisfied with the results and decided to improve their samples. During this period, they maintained a subscription costing approximately $22 per month, which they paid without much concern.

Unexpectedly, in March, the user received an invoice for $330 — a surprise considering their minimal activity on the platform. Suspecting account compromise, they took steps to secure their account by changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication. They also reverted to a free plan and attempted to remove their credit card details, assuming the issue was resolved or perhaps a mistake on their part.

However, the issues persisted. A week later, they were hit with an even larger bill of $1,320. Frustrated, they deleted their account and initiated a chargeback with their bank. Regrettably, they learned that the bank declined the dispute because ElevenLabs had validated the charges, asserting that the user was responsible despite the lack of direct communication from the company.

What Went Wrong?
The user reached out to ElevenLabs for clarification but received a standard response indicating they should have contacted support within 14 days of charges — a window they missed. The company’s refund policy, linked in their response, stipulates eligibility only if “no credit quota was used,” which further complicated the situation.

Concerns Beyond Billing
Even more troubling was the suspicion that these charges were related to API usage, despite the user never utilizing or even recording their API key. This raised questions about potential API key leaks or unauthorized access. The importance of managing API keys carefully—disabling unused keys, rotating them regularly, and monitoring credit consumption—cannot be overstated.

Key Takeaways and Recommendations
– Monitor Your Billing Closely: Regularly review your account activity and credit usage to identify any anomalies early.
– Secure Your API Keys: If you use ElevenLabs’ API, ensure that your keys