DisputeKit / Massachusetts
How to cancel a subscription that won't let you cancel in Massachusetts
Under Massachusetts Attorney General regulation 940 CMR 38.05, issued under chapter 93A, a business selling a subscription with automatic renewal or other recurring charges must provide a simple way to cancel and immediately stop recurring charges, at least as easy to use as the way the consumer signed up and available through the same medium (for an online sign-up, through the same website or app).
What the law says
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 Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Consumer Complaint.
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?
Under Massachusetts Attorney General regulation 940 CMR 38.05, issued under chapter 93A, a business selling a subscription with automatic renewal or other recurring charges must provide a simple way to cancel and immediately stop recurring charges, at least as easy to use as the way the consumer signed up and available through the same medium (for an online sign-up, through the same website or app). 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.