Manage or cancel subscriptions for someone else

This advice applies across the UK. Getting legal authority to act for someone works differently in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as noted below.

The short version

• What you can do depends on whether the person can still make their own decisions.
• If they can, they can give you permission to help, or set up a power of attorney for the future.
• If they can't, you need legal authority, such as a registered power of attorney or a court order.
• A company must not pressure the person, or you, into keeping or buying a subscription they don't want.
• You can tell the person's bank to stop a payment, even if the company won't cancel.
• Once you can act, cancelling works the same as for your own subscription.

Check who this advice is for

This advice is for you if you help someone else with their subscriptions, bills or bank payments. That could be a parent, partner, friend or someone you care for.

What you're allowed to do depends on whether that person can still make their own decisions about their money. In law this is called having 'mental capacity'.

Someone can have mental capacity even if they need help, and even if they sometimes make choices you wouldn't. Losing capacity means not being able to make a decision, not making an unusual one.

If the person can still make their own decisions

If the person can make their own decisions, they can choose to let you help. You don't need a court or a solicitor for this.

Your options include:

• being on the phone with them when they call the company, with their permission
• asking their bank to add you to the account, known as a 'third-party mandate'
• helping them set up a power of attorney, so you can act for them later if they need it

A third-party mandate lets you deal with the account within limits the person sets. It stops working if the person later loses the ability to make their own decisions.

A power of attorney can only be set up while the person still can make their own decisions. It's worth setting up early, before it's needed.

If the person can no longer make their own decisions

If the person can no longer make their own decisions, you can't set up a new power of attorney or third-party mandate. You need legal authority to act for them.

If they already have a power of attorney

If the person set up a power of attorney for their property and money while they still could, you can use it once it's registered. Check it covers money and property. A power of attorney for health and care doesn't let you manage money.

If they didn't set anything up

If the person lost the ability to decide before setting anything up, you have to apply to a court for authority. This takes time and costs money, so it's worth getting advice first.

In England and Wales this means becoming a 'deputy'. In Scotland it's a 'guardianship order'. In Northern Ireland it's a 'controllership order'.

If you only need to manage the person's benefits, you can become a 'DWP appointee' instead, which is free to set up.

Getting authority in Scotland and Northern Ireland

A power of attorney made in one part of the UK doesn't automatically work in another. The type of document differs too:

• in Scotland, a 'continuing power of attorney', registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)
• in Northern Ireland, an 'enduring power of attorney', registered with the Office of Care and Protection

Cancelling or downgrading once you can act

Once you can act for the person, cancelling a subscription works the same way as for your own. Follow our guide to cancel a subscription and stop the payments.

When you contact the company, tell them you're acting for the account holder. Be ready to show your authority, such as the registered power of attorney.

If the company gives you the hard sell

A company can offer a deal to keep someone as a customer. It must not pressure the person, or you, into staying or buying more. Aggressive selling is against the law.

This matters most when the person is unwell or struggling to follow the call. You can:

• say clearly that you want to cancel or downgrade, and nothing else
• refuse any deal, as many times as it takes
• ask them to note on the account that the person is vulnerable
• put your request in writing, so there's a record

If a company keeps pushing after you've said no, that's a sign to complain.

Stop the payments if you need to

If the company won't cancel, or keeps taking money, you can still stop the payment through the person's bank. Follow our steps for stopping subscription payments.

What you can do

• If the person can decide for themselves, get their permission, or help them set up a power of attorney.
• If they can't, use a registered power of attorney, or apply for a court order.
• To cancel, follow our subscription guide and be ready to show your authority.
• If a company pressures the person, refuse, put it in writing and complain.

For help setting up authority to act for someone, see GOV.UK on power of attorney or Citizens Advice on managing someone else's affairs.