New York City’s “Click to Cancel” rule took effect on October 1, 2026, marking the first municipal measure in the United States designed to curb difficult subscription cancellation practices. The rule empowers consumers to file complaints with the City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) when businesses make it unduly burdensome to end a service that was originally easy to sign up for.
The Click to Cancel rule is a New York City municipal regulation requiring easy subscription cancellation, making the NYC logo relevant as a symbol of the enforcing authority.
Under the regulation, any business that allows a consumer to subscribe via a simple online click must also provide a cancellation method that is equally straightforward and accessible through the same channel. Companies are required to clearly disclose subscription terms at the point of sale, inform consumers of their rights when purchasing or cancelling, and refrain from charging for the return of unsolicited items that were provided for free as part of a subscription offer.
Violations can trigger civil penalties starting at $525 per incident, and businesses may be liable for refunding affected consumers. To report a problem, consumers can submit a complaint form—available in multiple languages—by mail or fax to the DCWP’s Consumer Services Division at 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. After receipt, the department assigns a complaint number, reviews the submitted evidence, and may mediate between the consumer and the business to seek a resolution.