Step-by-step process to dispute subscription charges you didn't authorize, including chargebacks, FCBA rights, and when to involve your bank. This guide applies specifically to New York Times ($4-$25/mo) subscribers in Glendale, California. California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) protects you.
California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600) gives Glendale residents specific protections when dealing with New York Times:
Penalties: Consumers can recover actual damages plus $1,000 in statutory damages per violation
Applied to New York Times (Phone or chat) for Glendale residents
Identify the charge source
Find the exact merchant name on your statement. Subscription companies often bill under different names (e.g., 'AMZN Digital' for Amazon Prime). Search the billing descriptor online if unfamiliar.
Contact the company first
Call or email the subscription company and state you are disputing the charge. Get their response in writing. Many will refund rather than face a chargeback, which costs them $20–50 in fees.
File a chargeback with your card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card. Say: 'I want to dispute a recurring charge under the Fair Credit Billing Act. The charge was unauthorized / continued after cancellation.' They are required to investigate.
Submit your evidence
Provide your cancellation confirmation, the unauthorized charge dates, and any communication from the company. The card issuer will request a response from the merchant.
Request merchant blocking
Ask your card issuer to add the merchant to a block list. This prevents future charges from that specific merchant ID, even if they try to re-bill.
Method: Phone or chat · Difficulty: hard
New York Times-specific tips
No refund for current billing period.
Under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600, Glendale residents may be entitled to a full refund if New York Times didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms.
SubScrub auto-cites Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600 for Glendale residents