DisputeKit / North Carolina
How to cancel a subscription that won't let you cancel in North Carolina
North Carolina General Statutes § 75-41 requires a business that sells products or services to a consumer under a contract that renews automatically to disclose clearly and conspicuously how to cancel, and, for an automatic renewal longer than 60 days, to send written notice 15 to 45 days before the renewal date.
What the law says
Under the same law, a violation makes the automatic renewal clause void and unenforceable.
Under the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (15 U.S.C. § 8403), a business that sells a subscription online with automatic charges must provide a simple way for the consumer to stop recurring charges.
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 North Carolina Department of Justice, Consumer Protection Division.
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?
North Carolina General Statutes § 75-41 requires a business that sells products or services to a consumer under a contract that renews automatically to disclose clearly and conspicuously how to cancel, and, for an automatic renewal longer than 60 days, to send written notice 15 to 45 days before the renewal date. 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.