V. Paperwork & Law

Cancelling a subscription that won’t let you go

Signing up took one click. Cancelling takes a phone call, a chat bot and three “are you sure?” screens. Here’s how to make it stick, and what to do if the charges keep coming.

First, find them all

Subscriptions hide in plain sight. Look through your last few months of bank and card statements for repeating charges, including small ones and annual renewals. Also check:

• The subscriptions page in your phone’s app store account
• PayPal or other payment services you’ve used
• Any free trial you signed up for with a card

Cancel the right way

1. Use the same channel you signed up with, if you can. Many sellers must offer a simple way to cancel, especially for online sign-ups. Look under account settings, billing or membership.
2. Cancel before the renewal date. Cancelling often stops the next charge, not the current one.
3. Get proof. Screenshot the confirmation page, save the email, or write down the date, time, the agent’s name and any reference number.
4. Say no to offers, if you want to leave. Retention offers are designed to keep you paying.
5. Check your next statement to confirm the charges stopped.

App store subscriptions must usually be cancelled through the app store itself, not by deleting the app.

If they make it hard

• Put it in writing. Send a short email or letter saying you’re cancelling as of today, with your account details. For gyms and contracts that require written notice, send it by certified mail and keep the receipt.
• Read the contract. Look for the notice period and any early termination fee, so you know what’s legitimately owed.
• Know your state’s rules. Many states have automatic renewal laws that require clear disclosure and an easy way to cancel. Your state attorney general’s website will explain them.

If charges keep coming after you cancelled

1. Contact the company with your proof of cancellation and ask for a refund.
2. Dispute the charge with your card issuer. For credit cards, federal law gives you the right to dispute billing errors, including charges for things you cancelled. Act quickly: write to the issuer within 60 days of the statement that showed the charge. The CFPB link below explains how.
3. Ask your bank about stopping payments if the charges come from a debit card or bank account.
4. File a complaint with your state attorney general or the relevant federal agency. USA.gov can point you to the right one.

Do this today

• Go through your last two or three bank and card statements and list every recurring charge.
• Cancel anything you don’t use, and screenshot or save each confirmation.
• Put the renewal dates of annual subscriptions in your calendar.
• Check whether your card app can block or pause charges from a merchant.

Sources

• CFPB: How do I dispute a charge on my credit card bill?
• USA.gov: Where to file a consumer complaint

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules on automatic renewals and cancellation vary by state and change over time. Check your state attorney general’s consumer protection office for local rules.