New York's auto-renewal law (GBL § 527-a)

What the law requires

New York's General Business Law § 527-a covers subscriptions and contracts that renew automatically. Businesses must:

• present the automatic renewal terms clearly before you agree;
• obtain your affirmative consent;
• send an acknowledgment with the terms and how to cancel;
• provide a cancellation method that's easy to use — and an online option if you signed up online.

New York has continued to tighten its rules on subscriptions, and New York City has proposed its own requirements for memberships.

How to use it

Cancel online if you signed up online, and keep the confirmation. If the company makes it difficult, send a written request citing GBL § 527-a — our letter template includes it for New York addresses — and report the company to the New York Attorney General.

See also California and other states.