Cancel in writing and make it stick
Companies that make cancelling hard usually accept one thing they can't ignore: a written notice with a USPS delivery record. These guides cover the legal cancellation windows, the letters that stop the charges, and what to do when billing continues anyway.
Can a gym make you cancel in person? State laws and your options
A gym can set cancellation steps in its contract, but state health club laws in places such as California, New York, Illinois, Texas and Florida limit those contracts, and many give members written-notice cancellation rights. Whatever the contract says, a signed cancellation letter sent by Certified Mail with a return receipt to the contract's notice address is the strongest proof that you cancelled and when.
Is the FTC click-to-cancel rule in effect?
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.
How do I cancel a sale within 3 days under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule?
Under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule you can cancel a sale made at your home (or a buyer's workplace or dorm) of $25 or more, or at a temporary location such as a hotel or fair of $130 or more, until midnight of the third business day after the sale. Sign and date the cancellation form the seller gave you, or write your own letter, and mail it so it is postmarked within that window; the FTC suggests certified mail for proof.
How long is the timeshare rescission period in my state?
Timeshare rescission (cancellation) periods are set by state law and usually run from a few days to about 10 days after signing. Florida, for example, allows cancellation until midnight of the 10th calendar day after the later of signing or receiving the required documents, and a mailed notice counts as given on the postmark date if the developer receives it. Your contract must state the period and the cancellation address.
Can I get out of a timeshare after the rescission period?
Once the rescission period ends you can't cancel unilaterally, but you can ask the developer or resort in writing whether it offers a deed-back or surrender program, sell or transfer the timeshare, or challenge the sale if you were misled. Be careful with "timeshare exit" companies that charge large upfront fees: the FTC warns about resale and exit scams.
How do I stop a company from taking automatic payments from my account?
Tell the company you are revoking its permission to debit your account, tell your bank or credit union the same, and follow up both in writing. Under federal Regulation E you can stop a preauthorized transfer by notifying your bank at least three business days before it is scheduled; if you do it orally, the bank can require written confirmation within 14 days. Once you've revoked authorization, further debits by that company are errors you can ask the bank to reverse.
How do I dispute a credit card charge after I cancelled?
Send your credit card issuer a written billing-error notice at the billing-inquiry address on your statement, so that it is received within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge was sent. Include your name, account number, the charge, its date and amount, and why it's wrong (for example, that you cancelled on a date shown by your return receipt). Under the Fair Credit Billing Act rules, the issuer must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles and no more than 90 days.
Templates for this topic
Ready to send yours?
Type or upload your letter and we print and mail it by First-Class or Certified Mail.
Write your letter