Understand your rights under ROSCA, California ARL, and FTC enforcement. Get your money back from subscription traps, dark patterns, and unwanted auto-renewals.
Estimate your refund potential for unwanted subscription charges
Answer these questions to estimate your refund
A subscription trap is a deceptive business practice where companies make it easy to sign up for subscriptions but extremely difficult to cancel, or hide material terms like auto-renewal, price increases, or early termination fees.
In 2024-2025, subscription traps have reached epidemic levels, with the FTC studying 642 subscription sites and finding that 76% use "dark patterns" designed to trick or trap consumers.
Recent major enforcement actions show that companies are finally facing consequences: Amazon paid $2.5 billion (September 2025) for making Prime cancellation unreasonably difficult, Adobe faces an ongoing lawsuit for hiding early termination fees, and numerous other companies have settled for millions.
You have strong legal grounds for a refund if the company violated ROSCA, state laws, or consumer protection regulations
The Fair Credit Billing Act gives you 60 days from the statement date (not the charge date) to dispute credit card charges. This is a STRICT deadline - file immediately if eligible.
For charges older than 60 days, you can still pursue direct refund demands, FTC complaints, state AG complaints, or small claims court (2-4 year statute of limitations).
Multiple pathways to recover unwanted subscription charges, ranked by speed and success rate
File with credit card issuer within 60 days. Success rate: 70-85% with good evidence. Fastest path to refund.
Can trigger enforcement actions resulting in company-wide refunds. Amazon $2.5B included full refunds to all affected consumers.
For amounts $500-$10,000. No attorney needed. Success rate: 70-80% with proper documentation of ROSCA violations.
Follow this comprehensive action plan to recover unwanted subscription charges
If you paid by credit or debit card, file a chargeback immediately. This is often the fastest way to get your money back.
Send formal written demand citing ROSCA violations and stating consequences if not resolved.
Your complaint contributes to enforcement patterns. Amazon's $2.5B settlement began with consumer complaints.
Especially powerful in California (CART taskforce), New York, Illinois.
Act quickly - some deadlines are strict and missing them can cost you hundreds or thousands in refunds
STRICT DEADLINE under Fair Credit Billing Act. File immediately - this is usually the fastest refund method (30-60 day turnaround).
No statute of limitations for regulatory complaints. File even for older charges - can trigger company-wide enforcement and restitution.
Statute of limitations for breach of contract claims. California: 4 years for written contracts, 2 years for oral. Check your state law.
EU Consumer Rights Directive: 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts (online/phone purchases). No reason needed for cancellation.
California Automatic Renewal Law allows consumers to sue companies directly. Private right of action with attorney fee recovery.
Amazon A-to-Z: 90 days from order. eBay Money Back: Contact seller within 30 days. PayPal Buyer Protection: 180 days from purchase.
Common questions about subscription traps, refund rights, and recovery methods
File chargebacks, FTC complaints, and demand refunds using your legal rights