Guide · Subscription traps

The subscription that
will not die.

Signing up took one click; cancelling needs a phone call to an office that's always "experiencing high call volumes". The law already gives you more than they'd like you to know.

1.Your 14-day escape hatch

Most subscriptions bought online carry the standard cooling-off right, and for services it runs from the day you signed up:

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 · reg.29 · Right to cancel
"The consumer may cancel a distance or off-premises contract at any time in the cancellation period without giving any reason, and without incurring any liability except under these provisions— (a)regulation 34(3) (where enhanced delivery chosen by consumer);"…
In plain English: If you buy something online or away from the seller's usual premises, you generally have 14 days to change your mind and cancel the contract without needing a reason. You might have to pay for return postage or if you've used the item and its value has decreased.
§ Read the full text on legislation.gov.uk →

2.Buried gotchas can be unfair terms

A term that quietly locks you in, auto-renews for a year without warning, or makes cancelling drastically harder than joining can be challenged as unfair, and an unfair term doesn't bind you:

Consumer Rights Act 2015 · s.62 · Requirement for contract terms and notices to be fair
"An unfair term of a consumer contract is not binding on the consumer. (2)An unfair consumer notice is not binding on the consumer. (3)This does not prevent the consumer from relying on the term or notice if the consumer chooses to do so. (4)A term is unfair if,"…
In plain English: If a contract term or notice given to you is unfair, it is not legally binding. You can choose to ignore it or still follow it if you wish. An unfair term significantly disadvantages you compared to the trader, going against the principle of good faith.
§ Read the full text on legislation.gov.uk →

3.What to do

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This guide covers England and Wales; Scottish and Northern Irish rules can differ. This is guidance to help you understand your rights, not formal legal advice, and we're entirely independent: no affiliation with Citizens Advice, GOV.UK or any law firm. Every quotation above links to the official text so you can check us. Law verified current at July 2026.