Subscription traps are one of the most common small-ticket consumer grievances — and one of the newest legislative targets. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 brings teeth to the subscription regime. Old rules under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 already give substantial rights.
The statutory framework
- Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 — pre-contract information, cooling off, cancellation rights for distance/off-premises contracts
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 — goods and services standards
- DMCCA 2024 — subscription-specific enhanced protections
- Unfair Contract Terms — CRA 2015 Part 2 unfair terms regime
The new DMCCA obligations (as coming into force)
- Reminder notices before renewal (timing varies by subscription length)
- Clear one-step cancellation — same ease as entry
- Cooling-off right on annual rollovers
- Full disclosure of renewal terms at entry
- Enforcement by Competition and Markets Authority with direct consumer redress powers
Common subscription traps
- Free trial converting to paid without clear warning
- Cancellation requiring phone call rather than online option
- Cancellation requiring specific “cancel” wording vs “please cancel”
- Rolled-over fixed-term contracts without fresh consent
- Price increases buried in small print
- “You have cancelled – but we’ll keep billing through the paid period”
Let Chris draft this for you
Upload the receipt, correspondence, photos. Chris drafts a letter the retailer’s legal team takes seriously — statute cited, remedy specific, timeline firm.
Structure — the Litigant Standard
1. The contract and subscription terms
Attach terms. Highlight renewal clauses. Identify what was shown at sign-up.
2. The breach
“No reminder notice was provided before renewal contrary to DMCCA 2024 / CCR 2013 reg 16. The cancellation process required [obstacle], contrary to the regulations.”
3. Remedy
“Refund of £[renewal charge]. Cancellation confirmed with effect from [date]. Compensation for distress/time spent.”
4. Escalation
“Failing resolution — CMA complaint / sector ombudsman / MCOL claim.”
Card issuer parallel route
Authorised recurring payments can be revoked at source with your bank under Payment Services Regulations 2017 reg 67. Write to the card issuer to block further charges. Chargeback for recent unauthorised continuations.
What Chris drafts
- Cancellation letter with statutory citations
- Refund demand for unauthorised renewals
- Complaint to the CMA or sector ombudsman
- MCOL claim if unresolved
- Bank mandate revocation letter
£30 per letter. Claims companies do not operate in this space — this is pure DIY consumer law.
Prepare to win. Plan not to fail.
Small amounts matter. Ten pounds a month for twelve months is £120 — and the principle matters more than the money. Chris drafts both.
Ready to draft this yourself?
Chris drafts to the Litigant Standard™. You sign. You file. Pick the tier that fits your case.