You noticed a charge on your bank statement — maybe $14.99, maybe $89 a year — for a subscription you thought you cancelled months ago. Or maybe you never signed up for it at all. You called customer service, got transferred twice, and ended up exactly nowhere. Now the charge is still there, and you're wondering if there's anything you can actually do about it.
There is. A written demand letter sent via USPS Certified Mail puts the company on notice in a way that a phone call simply doesn't. It creates a paper trail, dates your demand, and gives the business a clear deadline to make things right — before you escalate.
This guide walks you through what Florida law and federal consumer protections say about unauthorized or hard-to-cancel subscriptions, what your letter should include, and what realistically happens after you send it.
FDUTPA, Chapter 501, and the federal rules on recurring billing
Subscription billing disputes can fall under several overlapping layers of law, and knowing which ones apply to your situation tells you what to cite in the letter.
Florida's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA)
Florida's primary consumer protection statute is the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), Chapter 501, Part II, Florida Statutes. FDUTPA prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce. Charging you for a subscription without clear disclosure of the recurring billing terms — or making it deliberately difficult to cancel — can potentially qualify as a deceptive practice under this law.
Federal Protections That Apply Nationwide
Even if state law feels unclear, federal law adds important layers of protection for Florida consumers:
- The Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) — A federal law that prohibits online sellers from charging consumers for goods or services sold through negative option marketing (where silence or inaction is treated as consent to be billed) unless the seller clearly discloses all material terms, gets your express informed consent, and provides a simple mechanism to cancel. If a website buried the subscription terms in tiny print or pre-checked a box, ROSCA may be relevant.
- The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) / Regulation E — If the subscription charge hit your debit card or bank account, Regulation E gives you the right to dispute unauthorized electronic fund transfers with your bank. You generally have 60 days from the statement date to report the error in writing to your bank.
- The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) — If the charge appeared on a credit card, the FCBA lets you dispute billing errors — including charges for services you didn't accept or that weren't delivered as agreed — directly with your card issuer. You typically have 60 days from the statement on which the charge first appeared.
- FTC's Negative Option Rule (updated 2024) — The Federal Trade Commission has strengthened rules requiring sellers to make cancellation at least as easy as enrollment. If a company let you sign up with one click but requires a 30-minute phone call to cancel, that asymmetry may now be a violation.
Your demand letter can reference whichever of these apply to your facts. The more specific you are, the more seriously it tends to be taken.
The charge amount, date, and card digits your letter must name
A vague complaint letter is easy to ignore. A well-structured demand letter is much harder to dismiss. Here's what yours should cover:
- Your full name, address, and account number (if any). The company needs to identify your account quickly. Don't make them guess — it only gives them an excuse to delay.
- The exact charge(s) you're disputing — amount, date, and payment method. Be precise. "A charge of $49.99 on March 3, 2025, to my Visa ending in 4821" is far more compelling than "a recent charge."
- Why the charge is unauthorized or improper. Did you cancel before the renewal date? Were the recurring billing terms never clearly disclosed? Did you never sign up at all? State the facts plainly and in chronological order.
- Reference to applicable law. Mention FDUTPA (Florida's consumer protection statute) and any relevant federal law (ROSCA, FCBA, EFTA). You don't need to cite every section — naming the statutes shows the person reading your letter that you checked the law first.
- What you want them to do. A full refund of the disputed amount? Cancellation of the subscription? Both? Be explicit. "I am requesting a full refund of $49.99 and written confirmation that my subscription has been cancelled" leaves no ambiguity.
- A firm deadline. Give them a reasonable but finite window — commonly 14 to 30 days. "Please respond in writing by [date]" makes clear that you're not just venting; you expect resolution.
- Notice of your next steps. Let them know you're prepared to file complaints with the Florida Office of the Attorney General, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and your state's Division of Consumer Services — and that you may pursue further remedies if the matter isn't resolved. This isn't a threat; it's information they need.
- Documentation you're enclosing. List any attachments — your bank statement showing the charge, your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots of the signup page, chat transcripts. Reference them in the letter so they're clearly part of the record.
Certified Mail proof that holds up in a chargeback or small claims
Email is easy to ignore, delete, or claim was never received. A phone call leaves no record. USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt is different.
When you send via Certified Mail, you get a tracking number and a green postcard (or electronic notification) confirming exactly when the company received your letter. That delivery confirmation is evidence. If this ever escalates to a chargeback dispute, a complaint with a regulator, or even small claims court, you can prove the company received your demand and had the opportunity to respond.
Keep a copy of everything: the letter itself, your USPS receipt, the tracking confirmation, and the signed return receipt card when it comes back. Put them in a folder. You may not need them — but if you do, you'll be glad you have them.
Refund, canned reply, or silence after your deadline passes
No outcome is guaranteed — every company and every situation is different. But here's what people commonly experience after sending a well-written Certified Mail demand:
- A refund or credit, often without much pushback. Many companies — especially larger subscription services — would rather refund one customer than deal with a formal complaint or chargeback. Your letter signals you're not going away.
- A canned response asking for more information. If this happens, reply promptly and in writing. Keep the paper trail going.
- Silence. If you hit your deadline and hear nothing, it's time to escalate: file a chargeback with your bank or card issuer (if still within their timeframe), file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General's office, and file with the FTC. Having your Certified Mail receipt makes all of these more credible.
- A partial refund offer. You can accept or reject it — that's your call. If you reject it, say so in writing and explain why the full amount remains in dispute.
Most subscription disputes don't end up in court. But having a documented paper trail dramatically improves your negotiating position at every stage.
Does Florida law still cover a company based out of state?
What if the company says their terms allow them to keep charging me?
Companies do sometimes point to terms of service buried in the fine print. But under federal law — particularly ROSCA and updated FTC rules — those terms have to be clearly and conspicuously disclosed before you agree. If the recurring billing terms were hidden or misleading, that argument weakens considerably. A lawyer can give you a real assessment of your specific facts.
Can I dispute the charge with my bank or credit card and also send a demand letter?
Yes, and doing both is often smart. A chargeback through your bank or card issuer is a separate process from a direct demand to the company. They can run in parallel. Just be aware that card issuers have strict time windows for disputes — typically 60 days from the statement date — so don't wait too long to initiate a chargeback if that's a route you want to keep open.
The company is based outside Florida — does Florida law still protect me?
Federal laws like ROSCA, FCBA, and EFTA apply nationwide regardless of where the company is headquartered. Florida's FDUTPA generally applies when the deceptive conduct affects Florida consumers. In practice, your demand letter can reference both, and your complaints to the FTC and your bank are not limited by state borders.
What if the subscription was for a free trial that converted to a paid plan?
This is one of the most common subscription disputes. Under the FTC's updated Negative Option Rule, companies must clearly disclose that a trial will automatically convert to a paid subscription, get your express informed consent to the recurring charge, and make cancellation simple. If they didn't do all three, your demand letter has a strong factual basis.
How much does it cost to send a Certified Mail demand letter?
USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt typically costs a few dollars in postage — a fraction of what most disputed subscription charges are worth. Jab Today helps you prepare and send your letter without the cost or complexity of hiring an attorney for a preliminary demand.