New York watchdog targets junk fees, subscription traps
The city is moving toward a first-in-the-nation “click-to-cancel” rule that would require subscriptions to be as easy to cancel as they are to sign up for.
New York City aims to become a consumer protection powerhouse
New York City is ramping up its fight against junk fees, deceptive subscriptions and other consumer abuses, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration signaling that consumer protection will be a central part of its affordability agenda.
In an interview with The Guardian, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine said the United States has experienced decades of corporate misconduct with too few consequences and that New York intends to fill part of the enforcement gap.
Levine, who previously served as a senior consumer protection official at the Federal Trade Commission, has spent the first months of the new administration pursuing actions against companies accused of deceptive practices.
The department has brought cases involving self-storage companies and secured settlements involving major corporations, including food delivery and e-commerce firms, according to the report.
What consumers can do now
Review recurring subscriptions at least quarterly.
Save cancellation confirmations and screenshots.
Check credit card and bank statements for forgotten subscriptions.
File complaints with local and state consumer protection agencies when businesses refuse to honor cancellation requests.
Document all communications when disputing charges or seeking refunds.
Consumer advocates say those steps remain the best defense against subscription traps and hidden fees while regulators continue to debate new rules.
Click-to-cancel could become national model
A centerpiece of the city’s agenda is a proposed “click-to-cancel” rule that would require businesses to provide a simple way for consumers to end subscriptions.
Under the proposal, companies marketing to New Yorkers would be required to make cancellations straightforward rather than forcing customers through lengthy phone calls, multiple screens or other obstacles. If adopted, New York City would become the first U.S. municipality to implement such a requirement.
The proposal follows executive actions signed by Mayor Mamdani earlier this year directing city agencies to crack down on junk fees and subscription practices that critics describe as “tricks and traps.”
Growing consumer frustration
The initiative arrives at a time when consumer dissatisfaction appears to be surging.
A recent National Consumer Rage survey found that nearly 80% of Americans experienced a product or service problem during 2025, while roughly two-thirds reported feelings of consumer “rage.” Complaints ranged from hidden fees and billing mistakes to poor customer service and confusing cancellation procedures.
Consumer advocates argue that subscription-based business models have expanded rapidly as software, streaming services, fitness memberships and other products have shifted from one-time purchases to recurring payments. Critics contend that some companies make enrollment easy while creating barriers to cancellation.
What this means for consumers
For consumers, the New York initiative could make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover money from disputed charges and report deceptive business practices.
The city currently receives about 30,000 consumer complaints annually through its consumer protection office, and Levine says he would like that number to grow as more residents become aware of available protections. The agency uses mediation, investigations and legal actions to resolve complaints and pursue enforcement when necessary.
Whether New York’s approach becomes a model for other cities remains to be seen, but consumer advocates say the effort reflects a broader trend: as federal consumer protection enforcement becomes less predictable, states and local governments are increasingly stepping in to police junk fees, deceptive subscriptions and other marketplace abuses.