Hasn't happened to me and I've cancelled this way over a dozen times. What sort of businesses have you heard of doing this vs ending your service?

I hear this a lot about gym memberships

https://www.wcvb.com/article/mass-woman-struggles-to-cancel-...

Yeah something is completely broken with American gyms. I tell everyone to avoid them and especially the private trainers they let patrol their floors. There's other ways to maintain fitness than risk being held ransom.