The universal playbook for canceling any subscription service — streaming, SaaS, fitness, or otherwise — with legal protections cited. This guide applies specifically to Netflix ($6.99-$22.99/mo) subscribers in California, citing applicable state and federal law.
California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600) gives you specific protections when dealing with Netflix subscriptions:
Penalties: Consumers can recover actual damages plus $1,000 in statutory damages per violation
Applied to Netflix (Website or app) in California
Find your billing method
Check whether you subscribed directly (company website), through Apple, Google, or your bank. The billing source determines WHERE you cancel — not the company's app.
California note: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600 requires Netflix to provide an easy cancellation mechanism.
Locate the cancellation path
Log into your account → Settings → Billing or Subscription. Under the FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule, cancellation must be as easy as signup.
Document your cancellation
Screenshot the cancellation confirmation screen. Note the date, time, and any confirmation number. This is your legal protection if they keep charging you.
Watch your next billing statement
Check your statement after the next billing date. If you see a charge after cancellation, you have grounds for a chargeback citing the date you canceled.
Block the merchant if needed
If the company charges you again, call your card issuer and request a merchant block. This prevents future charges even without the company's cooperation.
Method: Website or app · Difficulty: easy
Netflix-specific tips
No refunds for partial months. Access until period ends.
Under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600, you may be entitled to a full refund if Netflix didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms at signup.
These apply to Netflix in every state, including California:
SubScrub auto-cites Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600 + sends legally-backed letters