DisputeKit / Hawaii
How to cancel a subscription that won't let you cancel in Hawaii
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 481-9.5 requires a business making automatic renewal or continuous service offers to disclose how to cancel and to provide a toll-free telephone number, email address, postal address (if it bills the consumer directly), or another cost-effective, timely and easy-to-use way to cancel.
What the law says
Under the same law, a business that knowingly fails to cancel an automatic renewal or continuous service contract when the consumer asks is deemed to have engaged in an unfair or deceptive act or practice under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 480-2.
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 Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs).
Steps
- Note the date you first tried to cancel
- Send a written cancellation notice
- Demand a refund of later charges
- Dispute charges with your card issuer if they continue
Common questions
What if they say I can only cancel by phone?
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 481-9.5 requires a business making automatic renewal or continuous service offers to disclose how to cancel and to provide a toll-free telephone number, email address, postal address (if it bills the consumer directly), or another cost-effective, timely and easy-to-use way 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.