Oct. 31, 2024
Protecting Consumers from Auto Renewals
For many consumers, subscription services are just another way to obtain the goods and services they have come to rely on.
The gurus at CNET, a website dedicated to news, reviews and podcasts about technology, coined the phrase “subscription creep” to mean the unexpected growth of subscription costs. In a recent article, it was noted that American consumers average more than $1,000 in annual subscription fees.
Streaming services for television programs and movies are a perfect example. After hearing so many positive comments about a show on Netflix, imagine signing up for an account that began with a free trial. During the first week, you binge watched 10 episodes of the recommended show and started a few movies that you never finished. That was six months ago and you haven’t returned to Netflix yet but continue to pay for the service.
From websites and applications that offer free shipping for opting-in for a “plus” package that begins with a free six-month trial, to a gourmet coffee subscription that keeps your cupboards full with fresh ground coffee beans, you enjoy freebies when you can get them. That is part of being a smart consumer.
Those numbers can add up, warns C+R Research, which in 2022 found that consumers guessed their monthly subscription costs to be $89. But after the same consumers were given their itemized expenses, it turns out their estimates were way off. The Chicago-based think tank says the actual number is more than $200.
Lately, it seems that providers don’t make it nearly as easy to cancel services as they do to sign up. To address this topic, the House unanimously passed legislation so that subscriptions are easier to understand, especially regarding cancellations.
House Bill 116 would amend Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL), which currently does not address subscription practices. It begins by making certain the company’s process to cancel subscriptions is clearly outlined and communicated when consumers begin the service.
In fact, any promotion, such as a free trial, must include a transparent description of what the price is when the promotion ends and the deadline to cancel the subscription must be provided before payment occurs. Also, according to the bill, if a consumer signed up for any automatic renewal over the internet, they must be provided an opportunity to cancel that renewal over the internet.
The purpose of the UTPCPL is to provide Pennsylvania’s attorney general with the ability to enforce laws and prosecute those who use unfair methods of competition and deceptive practices. Because House Bill 116 proposes to amend the UTPCPL, the attorney general’s office would also be the regulatory agency for the new law.
The online world has become a large marketplace for consumers to shop for the goods and services they rely on regularly. But just like anything new, shoppers need to be aware of deceitful practices and remain diligent to avoid being taken advantage of.
House Bill 116 passed the House unanimously earlier this month and is now in the Senate.
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
Election Day This Tuesday - This Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To verify your polling place, visit
pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx.
Voters who have chosen to vote by mail-in or civilian absentee ballot must have those ballots back to their county board of elections no later than 8 p.m. on election day. If you choose to deliver it in person, you can only return your own ballot, not anyone else’s. And no one can deliver your ballot on your behalf unless you are a voter with a disability and have designated someone, in writing, to deliver your ballot, or if you need an emergency absentee ballot. To learn more about elections from the Department of State, visit
vote.pa.gov.
Don’t Forget to ‘Fall Back’ Saturday Night - Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. Be sure to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
It’s also a good time to check or change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. In addition to regular battery changes, experts say the alarm devices should be replaced every 10 years to better ensure your safety.
‘Tis the Season to Watch for Deer - With deer becoming increasingly active, and daylight-saving time soon to put more vehicles on the road between dawn and dusk, when deer move most, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is reminding motorists to slow down and stay alert.
Data from around the country indicates Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest risks of a vehicle collision with a deer or other large animal. A recent report shows Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision insurance claims in fiscal year 2023-24. The same report indicates Pennsylvania drivers have a 1-in-61 chance of a vehicular accident involving a big game animal, one of the highest rates nationwide.
Drivers can reduce their chances of collisions with deer by staying alert and better understanding deer behavior. Be especially alert in “Deer Crossing” areas, and remember deer tend to travel in family groups, so if you see one deer, more are likely coming. For more information about what to do if you hit a deer, visit
media.pa.gov/Pages/game-commission-details.aspx?newsid=683.
To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD. If the deer is on a locally owned road, contact the appropriate municipality.
Oh, Say, Can You Sing? - The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a little more than two months away, and the Department of Agriculture is inviting Pennsylvania singers to enter “Oh, Say, Can You Sing?” a star-spangled sing-off to win a chance to sing live at the event.
Each morning, from Jan. 4-11, the Farm Show will start by featuring an individual or group singing the national anthem live. Top vote-getters may also be selected to sing at special events, such as the opening ceremony on Jan. 6.
The contest is open to Pennsylvania residents of all ages, both individuals and groups, and the deadline for submissions is Nov. 17. For details, including how to enter, visit
media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1345.