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 HBO Max (Max) ($9.99-$16.99/mo) subscribers in Santa Ana, California. California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) protects you.
California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600) gives Santa Ana residents specific protections when dealing with HBO Max (Max):
Penalties: Consumers can recover actual damages plus $1,000 in statutory damages per violation
Applied to HBO Max (Max) (Website or app) for Santa Ana 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: Website or app · Difficulty: easy
HBO Max (Max)-specific tips
No partial refunds.
Under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600, Santa Ana residents may be entitled to a full refund if HBO Max (Max) didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms.
SubScrub auto-cites Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600 for Santa Ana residents