Exactly how to cancel any free trial before it converts to a paid subscription — and what to do if you get charged anyway. This guide applies specifically to New York Times ($4-$25/mo) subscribers in Salt Lake City, Utah. The federal FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule protects you.
The UCPA (no specific auto-renewal law) (Utah Code § 13-11-4) and federal FTC rules protect Salt Lake City residents:
Applied to New York Times (Phone or chat) for Salt Lake City residents
Set a reminder 2 days before the trial ends
The moment you sign up for a free trial, set a calendar reminder for 2 days before it ends. This gives you a buffer in case the cancellation process takes time to process.
Find the trial end date
Check your signup confirmation email for the exact trial end date. Log into your account → Billing to see the next charge date. Mark it explicitly.
Cancel through the same channel you signed up
Under the FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule, you must be able to cancel the same way you signed up. If you signed up online, they must let you cancel online.
Screenshot your cancellation confirmation
After canceling, take a screenshot of the confirmation page. Save the confirmation email. This is your proof if they charge you after the trial.
Verify no charge on your next statement
Check your bank or card statement after the trial end date. If charged, cite ROSCA (15 USC § 8403) and request an immediate refund — unclear trial terms are illegal.
Method: Phone or chat · Difficulty: hard
New York Times-specific tips
No refund for current billing period.
SubScrub auto-cites 16 CFR Part 425 for Salt Lake City residents