# Action playbook · rules, deadlines and where to escalate

Last verified: October 2026. Only cite what's here. If the user's situation isn't covered, say so and point to the official source. This is information, not legal or financial advice.

## Leak type → move → template

| Leak | Best first move | If that fails | Template |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription you don't use | Cancel in app/settings | Cancel by email/phone, then dispute any later charge | 01, 02, 06 |
| Subscription you use, but pricey | Trigger the retention offer | Downgrade or rotate | 03, 18 |
| Overlap (several in one category) | Keep one, rotate monthly | — | 01 |
| Free trial that converted | Cancel + ask for refund | Card dispute if no clear consent | 08, 06 |
| Unused but paid months | Goodwill refund request | Partial refund / credit | 07 |
| Silent price increase | Ask for old price / loyalty rate | Downgrade or cancel | 18 (subs), 04/05 (bills), 11 (insurance) |
| Phone / internet / TV | Retention call with competitor quote | Switch provider | 04, 05 |
| Insurance | Re-quote like-for-like, 3 quotes | Switch before renewal | 11 |
| Duplicate / wrong / post-cancel charge | Ask merchant (7 days) | Card/bank dispute | 06 |
| Bank, ATM, FX, overdraft, late fee, interest | Courtesy waiver | Change account / card | 09 |
| Gym | Written notice per contract | Dispute later charges | 10 |
| US medical bill | Itemized bill + hold | Error review → negotiate → escalate | 12, 13 |
| Flight (EU/UK) | Claim with airline | National enforcement body / CAA | 14 |
| Flight (US) | Refund request | DOT complaint, card dispute | 15 |
| Hotel / rental | Complain on site + written request | Platform, card dispute | 16 |
| Price dropped after purchase | Price-adjustment request | Return and rebuy | 17 |
| Company won't respond | Final notice | Regulator / ombudsman | 19 |

## United States
- **Online subscriptions:** the federal **Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA)** requires sellers of online negative-option (auto-renewing) plans to provide simple mechanisms to stop recurring charges. The FTC's 2024 "Click-to-Cancel" rule was **vacated by the 8th Circuit on July 8, 2025**: do not cite it.
- **California:** amendments to the Automatic Renewal Law (AB 2863) took effect **July 1, 2025**: "click to cancel" online cancellation, rules on save offers, annual reminders, and coverage of free-to-paid conversions. Other states have their own auto-renewal laws; check the user's state.
- **Credit card billing errors (Fair Credit Billing Act):** written notice to the issuer's **billing-inquiries address**, must **reach the issuer within 60 days** after the first statement with the error was sent; issuer acknowledges within 30 days and resolves within 90 days (FTC guidance).
- **Debit card / bank transfers (EFTA / Regulation E):** report errors promptly; the main error-resolution deadline is generally **60 days after the statement showing the error was sent**.
- **Airline refunds (DOT rule, in effect since Oct 28, 2024):** cash refund for cancelled or significantly changed flights if the passenger doesn't accept alternatives; significant delay = **more than 3 hours domestic / more than 6 hours international**; refund within **7 business days** (card) or **20 calendar days** (other). No federal cash compensation for delays.
- **Hidden fees (FTC Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, effective May 12, 2025):** live-event tickets and short-term lodging (hotels, vacation rentals) must show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front.
- **Medical bills:** uninsured/self-pay patients can get a **Good Faith Estimate**; if the bill is **≥ $400 more** than the estimate, they can start **patient-provider dispute resolution within 120 calendar days** of the bill ($25 fee) · cms.gov/nosurprises. The **No Surprises Act** limits many surprise out-of-network bills. **Nonprofit hospitals** must have a written financial assistance policy (IRS §501(r)).
- **Escalation:** CFPB (consumerfinance.gov/complaint) · FCC (consumercomplaints.fcc.gov) · FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) · DOT (transportation.gov/airconsumer) · state attorney general · state insurance department.

## United Kingdom
- **Section 75, Consumer Credit Act:** credit-card purchases of **£100–£30,000** → the card provider can be jointly liable.
- **Chargeback:** card-scheme rule (debit and credit); banks often use ~120 days, ask the bank.
- **Telecoms:** since **17 January 2025**, Ofcom requires price rises in mobile, broadband and pay-TV contracts to be set out in pounds and pence at the point of sale.
- **Insurance:** since **1 January 2022**, FCA rules stop home and motor insurers from charging renewing customers more than equivalent new customers through the same channel.
- **Flights (UK261):** £220 / £350 / £520 (£260 if 3–4 h late on > 3,500 km), arrival delay ≥ 3 h, unless extraordinary circumstances.
- **Online purchases:** 14-day cancellation period for most distance contracts.
- **Escalation:** Financial Ombudsman Service (financial-ombudsman.org.uk) · Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) · CAA for flights (caa.co.uk).

## European Union
- **Flights (EU261/2004):** €250 / €400 / €600 by distance; arrival delay ≥ 3 h, cancellations with < 14 days' notice, denied boarding; no compensation for extraordinary circumstances; right to care and to refund/re-routing. A reform was politically agreed in June 2026 and reportedly keeps the 3-hour threshold and amounts; until formally in force, the 2004 rules apply. Source: europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm
- **Online purchases:** 14-day right of withdrawal for most distance contracts.
- **SEPA direct debit:** refund of an authorized debit within **8 weeks**, no reason needed; unauthorized: report without delay, up to 13 months.
- **Cross-border disputes:** European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net).

## Italy
- **Telecoms:** Legge 40/2007 ("Bersani") art. 1 c. 3: withdrawal allowed; only costs justified by actual costs can be charged (AGCOM). Disputes: **ConciliaWeb** (conciliaweb.agcom.it).
- **Banks:** Arbitro Bancario Finanziario (arbitrobancariofinanziario.it). **Insurance:** IVASS (ivass.it). RC auto has no tacit renewal.
- **Imposta di bollo:** €34.20/year on current accounts of individuals with average balance above €5,000. A tax, not a waivable bank fee.

## Unclaimed money (official, free sites)
| Country | Where | What |
|---|---|---|
| US | unclaimed.org (NAUPA: links to every state's official program) · missingmoney.com (free multi-state search, managed by NAUPA) | Old bank balances, uncashed checks, deposits, refunds, insurance, payroll |
| US | treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/treasury-hunt/ | Matured US savings bonds / Treasury securities |
| US | pbgc.gov → Find unclaimed retirement benefits | Pensions from failed/ended plans |
| US | irs.gov/refunds | Unfiled-return refunds (generally 3 years to claim) |
| UK | mylostaccount.org.uk | Lost bank, building society and NS&I accounts (one free form) |
| UK | gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details | Pension Tracing Service |
| UK | gov.uk/claim-tax-refund | Overpaid tax |
| Italy | consap.it → Rapporti dormienti → Area cittadini · search: consultaconti.consap.it/ricercaconto.aspx · claims: portale.consap.it | Accounts/savings books inactive 10 years with ≥ €100 moved to the dormant-accounts fund; claim within 10 years (check Consap's "termini") |
| Canada | unclaimedproperties.bankofcanada.ca | Unclaimed bank balances (federal banks); some provinces run their own programs |
| Australia | moneysmart.gov.au/find-unclaimed-money (ASIC) | Bank accounts, shares, life insurance; lost super via the ATO / myGov |
| France | ciclade.caissedesdepots.fr | Dormant bank accounts and life insurance |

**Warning to repeat to the user:** official searches are free. Ignore anyone who asks for a fee or your bank login to "find" your money.