What are my rights when I was signed up to a subscription without proper consent?
Being enrolled in a subscription without clear informed consent — or through a misleading free trial — may constitute an unfair commercial practice, and you are entitled to a refund of charges taken without genuine authorisation under consumer protection and payment law.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Subscription traps typically involve a free trial or low-cost offer where future ongoing charges are either hidden in small print or not clearly communicated at all. When a consumer discovers regular charges on their account, they often find it very difficult to cancel. These practices may constitute unfair commercial practices under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (UK) or the FTC Act (US).
For charges taken without clear informed consent, you can raise a chargeback dispute with your card provider. Recurring billing disputes are a specific chargeback category. You can also report to Trading Standards (UK) or the FTC (US) for regulatory action against the business.
In the UK, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require pre-contractual information to be clear and prominent for online sales, including the existence of any subscription element. Hiding subscription terms in small print or pre-ticking boxes may render the 'consent' invalid.
This is general information. Whether a specific subscription arrangement was legally consented to depends on the exact presentation of terms and what you were shown at the time of sign-up. A consumer law adviser can assess the specific facts.
Common red flags
- Subscription charges appeared after a 'free trial' that was not clearly disclosed as one
- The terms and price of ongoing subscription were buried in very small print
- You ticked a box to agree to terms without being shown what they said
- Cancellation is deliberately complicated, requiring multiple steps or a phone call
- Charges continued after you attempted to cancel
What to do now
- Contact the company by email or phone to request cancellation and a refund
- If refused, initiate a chargeback dispute with your card provider for recent charges
- Contact your bank to instruct cancellation of the continuous payment authority (CPA)
- Report to Trading Standards (UK) or FTC (US) for regulatory action
- Leave a public review documenting the misleading practices to warn others
Frequently asked questions
Can I instruct my bank to stop a recurring subscription charge?
Yes. You can instruct your bank to cancel a continuous payment authority (CPA) at any time, and the bank must comply. The bank cannot refuse this request on the grounds that you have an ongoing obligation to the company — that is a matter between you and the company separately.
What is a continuous payment authority and how is it different from a direct debit?
A continuous payment authority (CPA) is a recurring payment authorised via your card details. A direct debit is authorised via your bank sort code and account number with a specific mandate. Both can be cancelled through your bank, but the process differs slightly. CPAs can be stopped by contacting the card issuer.