The Federal Trade Commission is making it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions. A new rule requires companies to make cancellation as simple as signing up, addressing the growing number of consumer complaints about recurring charges. This article provides tips on how to navigate the cancellation process and offers advice on dealing with resistant companies.
that canceling a subscription seemed impossible. They had used a now-defunct work email address to sign up for a web services company. With that email no longer accessible, the service said it was unable to process a cancellation.are so common that the Federal Trade Commission recently took action to ease the process: In a rule that fully goes into effect later this year, sellers must make it as easy to cancel their subscription as it was to sign up.
“Companies are on notice that they have to clean up their act,” says Chuck Bell, financial policy advocate at Consumer Reports.Bell says conducting a web search using the company’s name, such as, “how do I cancel my subscription for x,’ can lead to specific tips for reaching the right contact number. “Other people might have had that problem in the past and you might find a point of contact,” he says.
The BBB complaint process is free and can take up to 30 days to resolve, says Melanie McGovern, national spokesperson. The Better Business Bureau accepts complaints on companies of all kinds, even those not currently listed on its website, bbb.org.Ask your bank or credit card issuer for help“It’s a hassle for you,” Bell adds. You often have to call your financial institution then follow a process for documenting the problem, he says.
“Canceling can be a process, so keep good records,” McGovern adds, referring to all the communication you receive from the company when you first sign up.
Consumer Rights SUBSCRIPTIONS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION CANCELLATION RULES CONSUMER RIGHTS
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