# Canceling AOL **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502 "2003-11-27T02:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/21 "2003-11-28T13:31:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Valgard \* > \*\*I’d suggest the following to cover yourself: > 3. Write a letter to whoever gets your AOL bill (your credit card company or bank, most likely) telling them that as of [date] you have cancelled your service to AOL and that no further charges from AOL are to be allowed. Send a copy of this letter to AOL for good measure. > > \*\* Small problem - most banks can’t ban a specific merchant from billing A merchant category - such as how Visa does not accept online gambling - is possible due to the use of the SIC code (four digit merchant category id number). An _individual_ merchant - no dice. ---
**Author:** ![PurplePerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PurplePerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurplePerson)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/22 "2003-11-28T13:41:00Z")
How about changing your credit card number, your phone number and, taking all of AOL from your computer? It might be simpler. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/23 "2003-11-28T13:50:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PurplePerson \* > \*\*How about changing your credit card number, your phone number and, taking all of AOL from your computer? It might be simpler. \*\* …and changing your name, moving without leaving a forwarding address, and having plastic surgery to alter your fingerprints. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aahala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@aahala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aahala)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/24 "2003-11-28T15:15:07Z")
AOL is not into cancellations. Have you tried the witness protection program? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/25 "2003-11-28T15:31:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Early Out \* > \*\*I don’t want to burden the poor defenseless hamsters with a search, but someone on these boards reported success with canceling AOL by telling them that the reason she was canceling was that she no longer owned a computer. Stopped the retention sales people cold in their tracks! \*\* Seconded. They didn’t give me any trouble after I told them (truthfully) that I no longer had a functional modem. In all other respects they are bloodsuckers. ---
**Author:** ![autobulb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@autobulb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/autobulb)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/26 "2003-11-28T19:57:24Z")
Sorry guys, the only way to get AOL off your back is to change your name and live on a boat in the sea. ---
**Author:** ![Oat1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Oat1957](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oat1957)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/27 "2003-11-28T22:03:15Z")
I called to cancel and after 10 minutes of listening to the BS I finally had to tell the guy someone stole my laptop. Got my cancel comfirmation number and went on about my business. At the end of the month I found that AOL took $14 out of my checking account twice in two weeks after I canceled. I had the bank put a stop on them. They let the $20 charge slide. They’re crooks. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/28 "2003-11-28T22:03:15Z")
When I got broadband a couple of years ago, I first switched to a plan AOL called their “Bring Your Own Access” plan for using AOL through your own ISP for a reduced rate. After I felt secure and had changed everything, I finally cancelled. If you still need some time to change email addresses and so forth, this could be an option. ---
**Author:** ![pilot141](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pilot141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilot141)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/29 "2003-11-29T01:50:07Z")
I’ve managed to avoid the AOL monster my entire life, but I’m continually amazed by the things I hear about it. They try to avoid giving you confirmation of a cancellation? They take money out of your account/charge your credit card after you’ve cancelled? Why the hell is a company like this still in business? Does anyone have any data on AOL subscriber rates? At some point they will entice NO ONE with their CDs in the mail, and they will have to rely on (horrors!) providing a competitive service for the price. Sorry, more of a rant than providing info, but I wonder how close they skirt the lines of illegality on cancellations. ---
**Author:** ![Headcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@Headcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headcoat)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/30 "2003-11-29T02:52:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Long Road \* > \*\*Trying to leave AOL is pretty much the same as trying to leave a psycho girlfriend. First, they keep you on the phone forever asking you if you’re sure, really really sure that this is the right decision. Then for a long time you are uncertain if the relationship is actually over. At least AOL can’t go around lying to everyone that you get it pregnant but I figure that will be part of the next release. \*\* Not only that, but every month or so after the breakup, AOL will call your home telling you how they’ve “changed” and improved, doing their darndest to get you back. Its really pathetic. They even assure you its ok to keep your current ISP, because you can subscribe to AOL as a mistress of sorts, for half the price. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/31 "2003-11-29T03:10:58Z")
And years later, even if you’ve moved six or eight times, you will get occasional CDs from them. With your current address. How the HELL do they know where I live now??? ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/32 "2003-11-29T06:22:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whiterabbit \* > \*\*And years later, even if you’ve moved six or eight times, you will get occasional CDs from them. With your current address. How the HELL do they know where I live now??? \*\* Subcutaneous GPS homing chip. ---
**Author:** ![Molson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Molson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Molson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/33 "2003-11-29T07:00:55Z")
OFFICIAL AOL INSTRUCTIONS: > [@](#): > > _[Info from AOL/Help/Billing & Accounts/search on “quit”]_ > \*\* > > CANCEL AOL ACCOUNT / HOW DO I CANCEL? > > For help with a technical problem, please go to Keyword: Help.\_ If you would like to review other America Online pricing plans, as low as $4.95 per month for three hours, please go to AOL Keyword: Billing and click on Price Plan or click here now. > > If you wish to discuss or cancel your membership with one of our Member Services Representatives, please dial 1-888-265-8008. Our representatives are waiting to assist you. > > You may also choose to mail your request to us at: > > America Online > PO BOX 17100 > Jacksonville, FL 32245-7100 > > Or you may fax your request to us at (904) 232-4879 > > If you choose to write or fax us, please include the nature of your request and primary billing contact’s full name, phone number, address, and handwritten signature. Additionally, for account security purposes, please provide ONE of the following: > \_\_\_ – the primary Billing Contact’s AOL screenname > \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ or > \_\_\_ – the last four digits of the current payment method used for this account (for your security, only the last four digits please) > \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ or > \_\_\_ – the answer to your Privacy Question (if you have already established a Privacy Question and Answer). > > Your cancellation request will be effective within 72 hours of receipt. AOL will send you written confirmation.\_ You will not be liable for any additional membership fees after cancellation (although you will be responsible for any other charges you may incur should you access the account prior to account deactivation).\_ If you cancel near the end of your billing period, you may be inadvertently charged for the next month’s fee. In that event, contact AOL Billing at 1-888-265-8003 to have the charges reversed.\_ No other refunds will be provided, and AOL reserves the right to collect fees, surcharges or costs incurred before your cancellation takes effect. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![autobulb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@autobulb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/autobulb)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/34 "2003-11-29T07:38:07Z")
Wow, I cannot express my contempt for AOL in words. If I ever wanted to cancel my Earthlink account I could do so Online with 2 clicks of a button. Also, you should have the right to use their service until the end of the billing cycle SINCE YOU PAID FOR IT. Assholes… ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502/35 "2003-11-29T12:48:36Z")
[Clark Howard](http://clarkhoward.com/topics/cancel_aol.html) has a page on his web site with instructions on how to cancel AOL. Apparently its an issue he gets calls about all the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canceling-aol/215502.md?page=1)