How to cancel a subscription or gym membership that keeps billing you
Some companies make canceling slow on purpose: phone-only cancellation, clauses that accept only certified mail, retention scripts, and “processing periods” that let one more charge go through. Put everything in writing, cite the rights that apply to you, and if the charges keep coming, tell your bank to stop paying them.
Start with a dated cancellation letter you can prove you sent. It is your answer to “we have no record of that.” If the contract requires written notice, send it by certified mail.
If the company ignores it, point to the law. For online subscriptions, federal law (ROSCA) requires clear disclosure, your consent, and a simple way to cancel. Many states add automatic-renewal laws that require easy cancellation, and most states have gym and health-club statutes with cooling-off periods and the right to cancel after a move or for medical reasons.
If the charges still come, you can revoke the company’s permission to charge you and tell your bank to stop recurring payments. Charges made after you revoke can be disputed as unauthorized. This stops the billing. It does not erase a debt you validly owe, which is why the letters come first.
Is there a federal “click to cancel” rule?
Not today. The FTC’s 2024 “Click to Cancel” rule was struck down by a federal appeals court in July 2025 before it took effect. The FTC began a new rulemaking in March 2026, but no new rule is in force. ROSCA (for online subscriptions), the FTC Act and the 30-odd state auto-renewal laws are still enforceable, and those are the laws these letters cite.
Gym contracts have their own rules
Most states have a health-club statute. These commonly give you a cooling-off window after signing (often 3 days), the right to cancel if you move beyond a set distance (commonly about 25 miles) or become disabled, limits on contract length, and a set procedure for canceling. The guide in the kit shows you how to find your state’s statute and cite it.
Cancellation Letters provides self-help document templates and general information. It is not legal or financial advice, it is not a law firm, and it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Contract, auto-renewal and health-club laws vary by state and change over time, so check your state’s current rules. Stopping payment does not, by itself, end a valid contract obligation.