What the FTC's Click-to-Cancel Rule means for your subscription rights and exactly how to use it when a company won't let you cancel. This guide applies specifically to Paramount+ ($5.99-$11.99/mo) subscribers in New York, citing applicable state and federal law.
New York's Auto-Renewal Law (N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527) gives you specific protections when dealing with Paramount+ subscriptions:
Penalties: Violations subject to AG enforcement and consumer private action
Applied to Paramount+ (Website) in New York
Understand what the rule requires
The FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule (16 CFR Part 425, effective 2024) requires: (1) clear disclosure of all terms before signup, (2) cancellation must be as easy as signup, (3) no dark patterns to obstruct cancellation.
New York note: N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527 requires Paramount+ to provide an easy cancellation mechanism.
Document the violation
Screenshot the cancellation flow. If you signed up with a single click but cancellation requires a phone call or in-person visit, that's a violation. Screenshot the difficult steps as evidence.
Send a written demand citing the Rule
Write to the company: 'Under 16 CFR Part 425 (FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule), you are required to provide a cancellation mechanism as simple as your signup process. I am demanding immediate cancellation and confirming this in writing.'
File an FTC complaint
Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov. Select 'Online Shopping' or 'Subscriptions'. Submit screenshots of the violation. The FTC uses these to build enforcement cases.
File a state AG complaint
Your state Attorney General can act on FTC Rule violations under state consumer protection laws. Many states have dedicated consumer protection units. File a complaint at your state AG's website.
Method: Website · Difficulty: easy
Paramount+-specific tips
No refunds.
Under N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527, you may be entitled to a full refund if Paramount+ didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms at signup.
These apply to Paramount+ in every state, including New York:
SubScrub auto-cites N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 527 + sends legally-backed letters