As of October 1, 2026, New York City consumers can file complaints against businesses that make it hard to cancel subscriptions.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani: “In our city, we’re drawing a clear line: if you can sign up with a click, you must be able to cancel with one.”
What is the rule?
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) enforces this first-in-the-nation municipal rule against subscription traps. Businesses that violate the rule may face civil penalties starting at $525 and may be liable for refunding consumers.
Consumer rights
- Companies must clearly explain subscription terms.
- Companies must clearly disclose consumers’ rights when buying or cancelling subscriptions.
- Companies must provide a straightforward cancellation process in the same method as sign up.
- Companies cannot require consumers to pay to ship free promotional items back.
Complaints
Consumers may complain if terms were unclear, cancellation was harder than signup (e.g. online signup but phone-only cancel), cancellation was delayed, unwanted products were shipped, terms changed without notice, or auto-renewal was not disclosed.
After filing, DCWP reviews the complaint; mediators may send copies to businesses and attempt settlement.
Complaint forms are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian and Urdu. Mail/fax submission addresses are listed on the official page.