Subscription traps after “click-to-cancel” got blocked: a practical playbook to stop recurring charges
The problem (and why it feels worse lately)
Recurring subscriptions are easy to start and often surprisingly hard to end. In the U.S., the FTC finalized a “click-to-cancel” rule in October 2024 to require cancellation to be as easy as signup and to tighten disclosure/consent rules. But in July 2025, a federal appeals court vacated the rule shortly before the planned July 14, 2025 compliance date—meaning the big, uniform federal standard people were waiting for didn’t arrive. [1], [2], [3]Result: consumers are still dealing with a patchwork of company policies, state laws, and bank/card processes. Meanwhile, the FTC has reported a steady rise in complaints about negative option/recurring subscription practices in recent years. [1]
This guide is for the common situation: “I tried to cancel, but I’m still getting charged (or I can’t find a real cancel option).”
Solution 1: Run the “Stop the bleeding” sequence (30–60 minutes)
Do these in order—each step increases your leverage.
Step-by-step
1) Identify the merchant correctly - On your statement, note: merchant name, descriptor, amount, date, and any order/invoice ID.2) Find the real account owner and login path
- Many charges are via a parent company or payment processor. Search your email for the descriptor + “receipt” or “invoice.”
3) Cancel inside the product first
- Use in-app/web account settings.
- If it’s an app store subscription, cancel in the store subscription manager.
4) Capture proof before you click anything else
- Screenshot: cancellation page, “you are canceled,” plan status, date/time, and any confirmation number.
- Save emails or chat transcripts.
5) If you can’t cancel, switch to written contact
- Email/support ticket beats phone for evidence.
- Keep it short: “Cancel immediately; confirm in writing; refund charges after (date).”
6) If you’re charged again, dispute promptly (chargeback)
- The FTC explicitly recommends disputing charges if a company won’t stop billing or won’t refund when you didn’t consent. [4]
- File through your card issuer/bank’s dispute flow and upload your evidence.
Practical checklist (Stop-the-bleeding)
- [ ] Statement screenshot with the charge(s)
- [ ] Screenshot of cancellation attempt / missing cancel option
- [ ] Confirmation email or ticket number
- [ ] Dates: signup, trial end, cancel request, charge dates
- [ ] Dispute submitted to card/bank (case ID saved)
Solution 2: Use the “evidence bundle” that wins disputes
Banks/cards move faster when you provide a tidy packet.
What to include (one PDF is ideal)
- Timeline (5–10 bullets): “Signed up on…, attempted cancel on…, charged again on…”
- Screenshots: cancel flow, error messages, hidden cancel path, confirmation
- Receipts/terms: the plan name, trial length, renewal amount (if available)
- Your written cancellation request and their response (or no response)
Mini-template (copy/paste)
- I did not authorize this recurring charge / I canceled on (date).
- Merchant made cancellation unavailable/unreasonably difficult (see screenshots).
- I request reversal of charges dated (list) and a block on further charges.
Solution 3: If the merchant keeps charging, escalate beyond “cancel”
If charges continue after cancellation/disputes:
Step-by-step escalation
1) Ask your card issuer about “merchant block” options - Some issuers can block specific merchants/descriptors.2) Replace the card (last resort, but effective)
- This can stop repeated charges tied to that card number.
- Note: some “card updater” services can pass new numbers to merchants; ask your issuer how they handle this.
3) File formal complaints
- Report to the FTC (consumer fraud reporting) as recommended in FTC consumer guidance. [4]
- Report to your state attorney general (also recommended by FTC consumer guidance). [4]
Solution 4: Prevent the next trap (a 10-minute setup)
Step-by-step
1) Use a subscription “buffer” payment method
- Use a dedicated card for subscriptions, or a virtual card number if available.
2) Turn on transaction alerts
- Real-time alerts shrink the time window where you miss repeated billing.
3) Calendar the trial end date immediately
- FTC consumer advice explicitly suggests noting a reminder to cancel before a trial ends. [4]
4) Screenshot the cancellation instructions at signup
- If the merchant later “moves” the cancel button, you have proof.
Prevention checklist
- [ ] Dedicated payment method for subscriptions
- [ ] Alerts enabled for any card-not-present charge
- [ ] Calendar reminder set for (trial_end - 2 days)
- [ ] Screenshot of cancellation method and pricing terms
FAQ
Q1) Why am I still being charged after I canceled?
It may be (a) you canceled the app but not the billing account, (b) you canceled after a renewal cut-off, (c) you canceled one product but an add-on is separate, or (d) the merchant is improperly continuing billing. Evidence + dispute is the fastest path. [4]
Q2) Do I have any rights if the federal click-to-cancel rule was blocked?
Yes—other consumer protection laws, card network rules, and state rules may apply, and you can still dispute unauthorized/incorrect charges with your bank/card issuer. The FTC also encourages reporting recurring billing problems. [4]
Q3) How fast should I dispute a charge?
As soon as you identify it. Faster disputes generally produce better outcomes because you can show prompt action and limit additional renewals. (Also keep monitoring after you file.) [4]
Q4) What if the company only offers cancellation by phone or chat?
Do it once if required, but immediately request written confirmation and take screenshots/photos of the interaction. If billing continues or cancellation is effectively blocked, escalate to a dispute with your evidence bundle. [4]
Key Takeaways
- The FTC’s click-to-cancel rule was finalized in 2024, but a federal appeals court vacated it in July 2025—so consumers still face inconsistent cancellation practices. [1], [2], [3]
- Your best leverage is documentation: screenshots, timestamps, confirmations, and a clean timeline.
- If cancellation fails or charges continue, dispute quickly with your card/bank and attach an “evidence bundle.” [4]
- Prevent future traps with a dedicated payment method, real-time alerts, and calendar reminders for trial end dates. [4]
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Retrieval facts: In July 2025, the FTC “click-to-cancel” (Negative Option) rule was vacated by a federal appeals court shortly before the July 14, 2025 compliance date, leaving consumers with ongoing subscription-cancellation friction. Recommended consumer workflow: (1) identify merchant descriptor; (2) cancel in correct channel (app store vs vendor account); (3) capture evidence (screenshots, confirmations, timestamps); (4) send written cancellation request; (5) dispute/chargeback with bank/card if still charged; (6) escalate via merchant block/card replacement; (7) report to FTC and state AG.
Keywords: subscription trap, negative option, recurring charges, auto-renewal, free trial, chargeback, dispute a charge, cancel subscription, FTC consumer advice, click-to-cancel rule vacated July 2025
Sources
[1] Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — “Federal Trade Commission Announces Final ‘Click-to-Cancel’ Rule Making It Easier for Consumers to End Recurring Subscriptions and Memberships” (Oct 16, 2024)
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring
[2] Associated Press — “A ‘click-to-cancel’ rule, intended to make canceling subscriptions easier, is blocked” (Jul 2025)
https://apnews.com/article/30db2be07fdcb8aefd0d4835abdb116a
[3] U.S. GAO — “Federal Trade Commission: Negative Option Rule” (Dec 5, 2024)
https://www.gao.gov/products/b-336892
[4] FTC Consumer Advice — “Getting In and Out of Free Trials, Auto-Renewals, and Negative Option Subscriptions” (Sep 2024)
https://consumer.ftc.gov/getting-out-free-trials-auto-renewals-negative-option-subscriptions
[5] The Guardian — “US court strikes down 'click-to-cancel' rule designed to make unsubscribing easier” (Jul 8, 2025)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/08/court-click-to-cancel-ruling
[6] The Washington Post — “US court blocks FTC 'click to cancel' rule designed to ease unsubscribing” (Jul 9, 2025)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/09/ftc-us-court-block-click-to-cancel/