DisputeKit

DisputeKit / District of Columbia

How to cancel a subscription that won't let you cancel in District of Columbia

The D.C. Automatic Renewal Protections Act (D.C. Code § 28A-203) requires a business selling goods or services under an automatically renewing contract to disclose the renewal terms and cancellation procedure clearly and conspicuously; for contracts of 12 months or more it must send a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before the cancellation deadline, and an emailed notice must include an active link to cancel.

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What the law says

Under the same law, a violation makes the automatic renewal provision void and ends the contract at the end of the term in which the violation occurred.

Cancel in writing

A written cancellation notice sent by email and certified mail creates a dated record that you cancelled. Ask for written confirmation and a refund of any charge made after your cancellation date.

If charges continue, dispute them with your card issuer and file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Consumer Complaint.

Steps

  1. Note the date you first tried to cancel
  2. Send a written cancellation notice
  3. Demand a refund of later charges
  4. Dispute charges with your card issuer if they continue

See a full sample letter for District of Columbia

Common questions

What if they say I can only cancel by phone?

The D.C. Automatic Renewal Protections Act (D.C. Code § 28A-203) requires a business selling goods or services under an automatically renewing contract to disclose the renewal terms and cancellation procedure clearly and conspicuously; for contracts of 12 months or more it must send a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before the cancellation deadline, and an emailed notice must include an active link to cancel. A written notice also protects you if a phone cancellation is never processed.

Can I get charges after cancelling refunded?

You can demand them in writing and dispute them with your card issuer. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.