Stuck in a subscription? CT's new 'Click to Cancel' law can help
The law requires clear cancellation terms that let consumers end a subscription as easily as they signed up.
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Stuck in a subscription you can't get out of?
Connecticut has a new “Click to Cancel” law that makes it a lot easier.
“This law essentially makes it just as easy to cancel as it is to sign up for these subscriptions,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli.
When you sign up for a subscription, the terms must be clear up-front. Before it auto-renews, you must get a reminder. Cancelling must be as easy as one click or phone call, and companies have one business day to respond.
“You go in and sign up for a gym membership, but in order to cancel that gym membership, you have to send a certified letter to somebody in Pennsylvania three times over in order to cancel it,” said state Rep. Dave Rutigliano (R-Trumbull).
The law went into effect on July 1 as part of sweeping consumer protection legislation.
Several other states have passed similar laws.
“Many of these businesses’ business model is relying on people signing up for subscriptions, forgetting that they've done so and then making it very difficult to unsubscribe,” said state Sen. James Maroney (D-Milford).
Critics argue that Congress should regulate subscriptions.
“We’re no longer waiting for Congress,” said Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “We have abandoned that many years ago.”
Violators face a $5,000 fine for violation under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
“If you don’t follow the terms of this law, we’re going to come after you,” said Attorney General William Tong.
Consumers who believe a business has failed to comply with these requirements are encouraged to file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General or the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
