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Today's Topics:
1. Aussie "Click to Cancel" rules (Stephen Loosley)
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Subject: [LINK] Aussie "Click to Cancel" rules
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It's About to Get Much Easier to Cancel Your Subscriptions (in US)
We shouldn't have to hunt down the "unsubscribe" button.
By Meredith Dietz January 30, 2025
https://lifehacker.com/money/how-to-manage-and-cancel-your-subscriptions
It should be as easy to cancel a service as it is to subscribe to it, and at
long last, it's about to be.
For anyone who's ever found themselves trapped in an endless maze of customer
service calls trying to cancel a subscription?especially when the company
doesn't want you to?relief is finally on the way.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has introduced a new rule that will require
companies to make canceling subscriptions as simple as signing up for them.
Here's what you need to know.
The "Click to Cancel" rule
Under the new FTC regulation, if you can sign up for a service online with a
single click, companies must provide an equally straightforward cancellation
process. No more lengthy phone calls, buried cancellation links, or complicated
multi-step procedures.
This consumer-friendly rule aims to eliminate what's known as "dark patterns,"
aka deceptive design practices that make it unnecessarily difficult to cancel
subscriptions.
What this means for you
When the rule fully takes effect later this year on March 31, subscribers will
have the right to:
* Cancel their subscriptions through the same method they used to sign up
* Access a simple cancellation mechanism that's easy to find and use
* Avoid mandatory conversations with retention specialists
* Receive clear confirmation when their subscription has been canceled
While waiting for the new rule to be enforced, let's take a look at some
strategies for managing and canceling unwanted subscriptions.
Manage your subscriptions now
Start by reviewing your credit card and bank statements to identify all active
subscriptions. You may be surprised to discover you're paying for services you
rarely or never use. Create a spreadsheet or use a subscription tracking app to
maintain an overview of your recurring payments.
Here's our round-up of the best subscription managers for canceling services
you aren?t actually using anymore.
https://lifehacker.com/use-a-subscription-manager-to-stop-paying-for-services-1849121341
For immediate action, try these methods:
* Check your account settings on the service's website for cancellation options
* Search for "[Company Name] + cancel subscription" to find direct links
* Use the company's mobile app, which sometimes offers easier cancellation
processes
* Email customer service with a clear, direct cancellation request
* Document all cancellation attempts, including screenshots and email
correspondence
Additionally, your bank or credit card company can be a powerful ally. Use your
card issuer's subscription management tools, or contact your bank to stop
automatic payments. Going forward, consider using virtual credit card numbers
for new subscriptions, which allow you to control payment permissions.
The bottom line
The FTC's new rule is a major relief. While companies adjust to comply with
these regulations, staying vigilant about your subscriptions and knowing your
rights as a consumer remains essential. The days of frustrating cancellation
experiences may be numbered, but until then, being proactive about managing
your subscriptions is your best defense against unwanted charges.
Protect yourself going forward by reading cancellation terms while signing up
for new subscriptions, setting calendar reminders before free trials end, and
keeping records of all cancellation confirmations.
Remember that the most effective approach to subscription management is
prevention: Before signing up for any new service, make sure you understand not
just how to start it, but how to end it as well.
Meredith Dietz is Lifehacker?s Senior Finance Writer. She earned her bachelor?s
degree in English and Communications from Northeastern University.
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