Software subscription auto-renewed $549 without proper notice - what are my options?

I signed up for a design software subscription (Figma competitor) last year at $549/year for my small business. I completely forgot about it and they just charged my card for renewal without sending any reminder email.

I checked my spam folder - nothing. Their terms say they send renewal notices 30 days before but I never got one. When I contacted support they said "we sent it" but couldn't provide proof.

Now they're refusing to refund because I'm "outside the 14-day refund window." I literally just noticed the charge yesterday.

Is there anything I can do? This feels like it should be illegal.

This is actually a big deal legally. Look up ROSCA - the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. It requires businesses to clearly disclose auto-renewal terms AND get your affirmative consent before charging.

Many states have even stricter automatic renewal laws (ARLs). What state are you in?

California has very strong automatic renewal laws under Business & Professions Code 17600-17606. If you're a California resident, they MUST:

• Present the auto-renewal terms clearly and conspicuously before you subscribe
• Provide an acknowledgment that includes the auto-renewal terms
• Give you an easy online cancellation method
• Send a reminder before renewal for subscriptions that include a free trial or initial discount

If they failed to comply with these requirements, the auto-renewal provision may be void and unenforceable, and you'd be entitled to a refund.

I run a SaaS company and we're super careful about this stuff because of how aggressive California's ARL is. We send 3 reminder emails before renewal and always include a one-click cancel link.

Companies that don't are playing with fire. The FTC has been going after dark patterns and auto-renewal violations hard lately.

I'm in California! What specifically should I cite when I push back on them?

California Business & Professions Code Section 17602 requires clear disclosure of auto-renewal terms. Section 17602(a)(2) specifically requires they provide a "cost-effective, timely, and easy-to-use mechanism for cancellation."

Key point: Section 17603 states that any auto-renewal term that doesn't comply with these requirements is "void and unenforceable."

Send them an email citing these specific code sections and demanding a full refund. If they don't comply, you can:

1. File a complaint with the California Attorney General
2. Dispute the charge with your credit card company
3. Sue in small claims court

Quick tip: before you do anything else, check your original signup confirmation email. Did it clearly state the auto-renewal terms? Was there a checkbox you had to click specifically acknowledging the auto-renewal?

If not, that's a clear violation right there. Screenshot everything.

Just checked my original signup email from last year. It says "Your subscription will automatically renew" in tiny gray text at the very bottom of a long email. No checkbox, nothing I had to acknowledge separately.

Their cancellation process also requires you to chat with a support agent during business hours - no simple cancel button.

That's almost certainly a violation. The law requires the auto-renewal terms to be "clear and conspicuous" - buried in tiny gray text at the bottom of an email doesn't meet that standard.

And requiring a live chat with a support agent to cancel? That directly violates the "easy-to-use mechanism for cancellation" requirement. California law specifically requires an online cancellation method that's at least as easy as the signup process.

You have a strong case here.

I had a similar situation with Adobe last year. $600 annual renewal I didn't authorize. Disputed with Chase and won within 3 weeks. Make sure you explain in the dispute that the merchant failed to provide proper renewal notice as required by California law.

Credit card companies are pretty good about siding with cardholders on auto-renewal disputes when there's no proof the merchant sent proper notice.

Don't forget to also file a complaint with the FTC. They've been cracking down on "negative option" marketing (which is what auto-renewals technically are) and building cases against repeat offenders.

Even if it doesn't help your individual case, it helps build a record that might lead to enforcement action.

UPDATE: I sent them an email citing California B&P Code 17602 and 17603, pointed out that their disclosure was not "clear and conspicuous" and their cancellation process violates the easy-to-cancel requirement. Said I'd file a credit card dispute and complaint with the CA AG if not resolved within 7 days.

Got a call from their "customer success manager" the next day. They're processing a full refund and apologized for the "confusion." Amazing how quickly they moved once I cited specific laws.

That's the playbook right there. These companies know they're skating on thin ice with their auto-renewal practices. The moment you show you know the law, they fold because they don't want a formal complaint on record.

Great outcome! For anyone reading this later, here's a summary of the key points:

• Federal ROSCA law requires clear disclosure and consent for auto-renewals
• California B&P Code 17600-17606 has stricter requirements including easy online cancellation
• Non-compliant auto-renewal terms are void and unenforceable in CA
• Always document the original signup process and any (missing) renewal notices
• Citing specific laws in your complaint often gets faster results

Bookmarking this thread. Just got hit with a $399 auto-renewal from a project management tool I stopped using 8 months ago. Going to follow the same approach - Massachusetts also has auto-renewal laws (Chapter 93A) that might help me.

Will report back if it works.