Cancellations

Is the FTC click-to-cancel rule in effect?

Updated November 12, 2026 · By the Certified Letter Online team

No. The FTC's 2024 "click-to-cancel" amendments to its Negative Option Rule were vacated by a federal appeals court in 2025 before most of them took effect, and in 2026 the FTC conformed its rule to the court decision and asked for public comment on possible new amendments. Companies that sell subscriptions online must still provide simple ways to stop recurring charges under the federal ROSCA law, and many states have their own automatic-renewal laws.

So if a company makes online cancellation hard, a written cancellation with proof of delivery remains your best evidence, and it supports a card dispute or a complaint to the FTC or your state attorney general.

What protects you when cancelling a subscription (as of our check)
Rule	Status	What it does
FTC click-to-cancel amendments (2024)	Vacated by a federal court in 2025; FTC considering new amendments (2026)	Would have required cancellation as easy as sign-up
ROSCA (15 U.S.C. 8403)	In force	Online negative-option sellers must disclose terms, get consent and provide simple ways to stop recurring charges
State automatic-renewal laws	In force in many states	Disclosure, consent and cancellation rules; details vary
Your contract	Binding	Often requires written notice to a specific address

How to cancel a subscription that won't let you cancel online

Look for the cancellation method in the terms; screenshot it.
Send a written cancellation by Certified Mail with return receipt to the company's notice or customer-service address.
Tell your bank or card issuer you've revoked authorization for future charges (how).
Dispute any charge after the cancellation date (how) and report the company to the FTC and your state consumer office.

Check before you rely on this

Rules in this area are changing. Check the FTC's Negative Option Rule page for the latest status.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.

Quick answers

How do I send a letter to cancel a subscription that won't let me cancel online?

Mail a signed cancellation with your account details to the company's address by Certified Mail with return receipt, then revoke the payment authorization with your bank.

Does a company have to let me cancel online?

There's no nationwide click-to-cancel rule in force. ROSCA requires simple ways to stop recurring charges for online subscriptions, and some state laws require online cancellation for online sign-ups.

Does a cancellation letter need a return receipt?

Usually no law requires it, but it gives you the signature and delivery date if the company says it never got your notice.

What to do next

Cancel in writing today: we print and mail your cancellation Certified with return receipt for $17.99.

Send my cancellation

Sources

Checked: November 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.