Early termination fee: what to do

Have this ready

• the contract or plan terms
• the date you signed up
• the bill with the fee

Steps for any company

1. Find the fee clause in the agreement you accepted and check how the fee is calculated (fixed, prorated, or a share of the remaining term).

2. Check whether an exception applies, such as moving outside the service area, a service failure, a price increase or military orders.

3. Ask in writing for a waiver or a correct calculation. Dispute it as a billing error if the fee breaks the terms.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (3)

• ADTCancelling during the initial term usually costs a share of the remaining monthly charges; ask for the calculation in writing and check whether a price increase lets you end the contract without the charge.
• Brinks HomeThe monitoring contract sets the fee; financed equipment is still owed; Brinks Home Plus charges 100% of remaining payments if cancelled in its initial term.
• VivintA multi-month subscription may carry an early termination fee, and financed equipment stays owed to the financing partner after cancellation.

Guides

• Wireless carriers — how complaints work
• Internet, cable and satellite TV — how complaints work
• Electric and gas utilities — how complaints work
• Gyms and fitness memberships — how complaints work
• Subscriptions — how complaints work