James Warns NYers: Subscription Traps Get Harder to Spring

NEW YORK – Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, is throwing a lifeline to consumers drowning in unwanted subscriptions. The FTC’s new “Click-to-Cancel” Rule, set to go into effect July 14th, aims to dismantle the deliberately convoluted cancellation processes companies use to bleed customers dry. But a recent Eighth Circuit decision has put the rule on hold, leaving New Yorkers vulnerable for the time being. James is still urging vigilance and reporting of predatory practices.

The rule, when enacted, will force companies to make cancelling a subscription just as easy as signing up. No more endless phone loops, forced chats with customer service reps, or buried cancellation links. If you signed up online, you should be able to cancel online. Simple as that. James’ office is clear: companies can’t demand you jump through hoops just to stop paying for something you don’t want.

“New Yorkers should never have to jump through hoops just to cancel an unwanted subscription,” said Attorney General James. “This new ‘Click-to-Cancel’ rule will protect consumers and ensure companies are operating fairly. I encourage anyone who has a difficult time canceling a subscription to report it to my office, and I will continue to make sure companies throughout our state are following the law.” The AG’s office isn’t waiting for the rule to be fully in effect to crack down on subscription scams.

This isn’t a new fight for James. She’s already proven she’s willing to go after companies that prey on consumers. In May, she secured $600,000 in penalties from Equinox and refunds for New Yorkers for making membership cancellations a nightmare. Back in November 2024, James won a lawsuit to stop SiriusXM from trapping New York customers in unwanted subscriptions. December 2023 saw Cerebral, the online mental health provider, hit with a $740,000 penalty for its deliberately burdensome cancellation process.

James didn’t act alone. In June 2023, she led a bipartisan coalition of 26 state attorneys general in urging the FTC to strengthen its existing rules. Those efforts directly led to the new “Click-to-Cancel” Rule. The AG’s office is also stressing that transparency is key. Companies must clearly disclose all terms of automatic renewal subscriptions *before* a customer signs up, and information must be truthful and easy to understand.

If you’re having trouble cancelling a subscription, don’t suffer in silence. Attorney General James encourages New Yorkers to file a complaint online through her office. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about holding companies accountable and protecting your hard-earned money. While the Eighth Circuit decision throws a wrench in the gears, James’ office remains committed to fighting for consumer rights and ensuring a fair playing field.

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