How to Cancel Your Account with Optimum

Has your Optimum service left you disappointed? 

Maybe you want to switch cable providers, or get a better package deal. Perhaps you are tired of dealing with bad equipment or bad customer service. Whatever the reason is, we can guide you through how to cancel your account with Optimum. 

Optimum Cancellation Policy

According to Optimum terms and conditions, their cancellation policy allows you to cancel your account at any time. However, you will face hefty fees if you do. Bear in mind that most people who sign up with Optimum do so under a contract. This contract means that you agree to pay the company for their services for one or two years and in exchange they agree to offer the services at the agreed-upon amount. If you cancel prematurely, the business loses money and as a result they foist some of that lost profit onto your shoulders by charging early termination fees.

No Prorated Returns

If you are on a monthly or an annual contract, and it renews every month with auto pay on the 15th of the month, if you cancel your account with Optimum on the 16th of December, you will still have to pay for the next 30 days of service with your account officially closing and the services with it on January 15th. They will not refund you or credit you for partially used subscriptions or payments received even if you cancel the day after an auto payment goes through.

Fees to Cancel Your Account with Optimum

The fees you get charged are charged to your account as soon as you close. They are also based on the type of Optimum contract or plan you have. Optimum terms of service says that Optimum reserves the right to change the early termination fee cost at any time. What’s more, if you close your account before the end of your contract, you will have to pay:

1. An Optimum early termination fee
2. Outstanding charges for any Optimum equipment you purchased

Both of these are automatically charged to the card you have on file. 

You have 30 days from the time you cancel your account with Optimum to return all of your equipment. You should receive a letter from the company that reminds you to return on time, but if you don’t return the equipment within the 30 day window they will charge you for it. 

The fees for returned items are based on the type of equipment. So, if you get your cable through Optimum, your unreturned cable box and smart card are $180, the remote control, DVR, cable card, and tuning adapter amount to $445.

Third Party Charges

You might have third party subscriptions or equipment as part of your package. IF you do, then you might see additional fees added to your final bill from Optimum. 

Returned Equipment

If you cancel your account Optimum requires you to return any of the cable equipment they sent to you in the same condition. This applies to anything you are renting from them. If you fail to return it on time, or they claim it is lost in the mail, then you will be charged the full amount.  This cost is based on what equipment you have. 

Steps to Cancel Your Account with Optimum

You can cancel your account with Optimum online or on the phone:

Online

1. Go to the Optimum website
2. Log into your Optimum account
3. Click on the button “Account Information”
4. Below that click on the “Account Details” button. 
5. Finally, click on the button labeled “Terminate Account”

Once you have done this, you should receive a confirmation message. If you don’t, you can always reach out to customer service over the phone to verify that your account was in fact clothes and to have them resend you the confirmation.

On the Phone

1. Call Optimum customer service at: 888-276-5255
2. Tell them that you want to cancel your service and close your account
3. Get a confirmation email once things have been canceled

This might be a great opportunity to also speak to the representative about what your particular fees will be if you cancel prematurely paste on the services you have.

Customer complaints and disputes canceling Optimum accounts

Customers have filed Optimum complaints, many of which have to do with billing issues and bad service. Some customers have complained about excessively high early termination fees. Others have disputed unreturned equipment charges to their account. 

What to do If You Are Unable to Cancel or Have Unnecessary Fees

If you have tried to cancel your Optimum account but customer service has caused problems or overcharged you, let FairShake lend a hand. We can help you file a claim against Optimum and ensure your account issues are solved.