The FTC "Click to Cancel" Rule
In October 2024, the Federal Trade Commission finalized the "click to cancel" rule, which requires companies offering negative-option subscriptions (where you must actively cancel to avoid recurring charges) to:
- Make cancellation as easy as signup — if you can sign up online in one click, you must be able to cancel online in one click
- Get your explicit consent before charging for any subscription
- Clearly disclose all material terms before obtaining consent
- Send annual reminders for trial subscriptions that automatically convert to paid
Companies that violate this rule face FTC enforcement action. More importantly for consumers: a violation strengthens your case for a refund via credit card chargeback.
How to Cancel Step by Step
Step 1 — Find the cancellation method. Try the account settings or billing section first. Many services now offer online cancellation due to FTC pressure. If the website forces you to call, chat, or jump through multiple screens, document this — it may itself be an FTC rule violation.
Step 2 — Cancel in writing. Even after clicking "cancel" online, send an email to the company's billing or support address confirming the cancellation. Include your account email, account number if applicable, and the date you're requesting cancellation effective. Keep the sent email as proof.
Step 3 — Screenshot everything. Screenshot the cancellation confirmation screen, confirmation emails, and your account status showing the subscription as cancelled. These are critical if you need to dispute later charges.
If the Company Won't Refund You
Credit card chargeback. If you were charged for a period you clearly cancelled before, or for a service that violated FTC disclosure rules, you have strong grounds for a chargeback. Contact your card issuer and file a dispute citing "services not received" or "cancelled subscription charge." You typically have 60–120 days from the charge to dispute.
Formal cancellation notice. Some companies — particularly in the gym, subscription box, and SaaS categories — respond more seriously to formal written notices than to support ticket requests. A formal Notice of Revocation citing your cancellation rights, sent via certified mail or email to the company's legal or billing address, often triggers a different (more cooperative) internal process than a standard support request.
State attorney general complaint. All 50 states have consumer protection laws that mirror or exceed the FTC's rules. Filing a complaint with your state's attorney general is free and signals to the company that you are serious about escalation.
Gym Memberships: Special Rules
Many states have specific statutes governing gym and fitness club memberships. Common protections include:
- Right to cancel within 3–5 business days of signing ("cooling off" period)
- Right to cancel if you move more than 25 miles from the nearest club location
- Right to cancel or freeze if you develop a medical condition preventing use
- Prohibition on contracts longer than 3 years
California, New York, and Florida have particularly strong gym membership protections. If your gym is disputing a cancellation, look up your state's specific statute.
What Never Works
- Simply stopping payment on a linked credit card without cancelling first — the company can refer the balance to collections
- Asking nicely via customer support chat and accepting "I'm sorry, we can't refund you" as a final answer — escalate to a formal written dispute
- Waiting — most dispute windows are 60–120 days from the charge, and some state cancellation rights have similar windows