Decree set on AOL late fees, rebates

The Federal Trade Commission approved a consent decree requiring America Online to change its practices involving its subscriber cancellation policies and late rebates. The consent decree finalizes a reached between the FTC and AOL in September 2003. The settlement prohibits AOL from charging people after they cancel the service and requires the company to pay rebates within the time period advertised in the offer. "This announcement formalizes what was already announced last September," AOL spokesman Nicholas Graham said.