California’s new auto-renewal law (AB 2863) gives you stronger protections against automatic charges from subscriptions and free trials that quietly turn into paid plans.
What you should look for
• Before you hand over your payment info, even for a free trial, businesses must clearly explain how long the trial lasts, what you’ll be charged after it ends and how often you’ll be billed.
• Companies can’t assume your consent. You must actively agree to the auto-renewal terms before any charges are made. And you must get a post‑signup confirmation with the subscription terms, renewal schedule, cost after any free trial ends and instructions on how to cancel.
• Canceling must be easy. Businesses must allow cancellation through the same method the consumer used to sign up or typically uses to communicate, such as phone, email, mail or online. If you have a long-term subscription, the company must remind you once a year that it’s still active and tell you how to cancel.
• Price increases need advance notice. They can’t sneak in higher charges. You must get a heads-up at least seven days before any new rate takes effect.
What to do as a consumer
• Save the email you get after signing up; it should spell out the terms and how to cancel.
• Set a reminder for the end of any free trial so you’re not charged unexpectedly.
• If you didn’t get proper notice or consented under unclear terms, you may be entitled to a refund.
If you feel a company is in violation of the law, contact Michael Wear of the Marin District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit by emailing consumer@marincounty.gov or calling 415-473-6047.
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