Get a refund or dispute a charge

Charged wrong, charged twice, or never got what you paid for? Ask the seller first, then dispute the charge with your card company or bank before the deadline. You send everything yourself; we never contact anyone for you.

Credit card or debit card?

Your rights depend on how you paid. Credit cards protect you more.

• Credit card

  • Deadline: in writing, to the billing-error address on your statement (not the payment address). It must arrive within 60 days of the statement that first showed the charge. (12 CFR 1026.13, CFPB)
  • While they look into it: you don't have to pay the disputed amount or its interest, and they can't report it as late. Pay the rest of your bill on time. (12 CFR 1026.13)
  • They must: confirm within 30 days, then fix it or explain in writing within 2 billing cycles (90 days at most). (15 U.S.C. 1666, 12 CFR 1026.13)
  • Card stolen? The most you can owe for charges you didn't make is $50. (12 CFR 1026.12)

• Debit card or bank account

  • Deadline: tell your bank within 60 days of the statement that first showed the problem. A call counts, but the bank can ask you to confirm in writing within 10 business days. (12 CFR 1005.11)
  • While they look into it: the bank has 10 business days (20 for a new account). If it needs longer (up to 45 days, or 90 for debit card purchases), it must put the money back in your account for now. (12 CFR 1005.11, CFPB official interpretation of 12 CFR 1005.11)
  • Card lost or stolen? Report it within 2 business days of finding out and the most you owe is $50; later, up to $500. (12 CFR 1005.6)
  • Waited too long? Unauthorized transfers you don't report within 60 days of the statement can leave you owing for later ones. (12 CFR 1005.6, CFPB)

Where to complain, free

• Card company or bank

  The CFPB sends your complaint to the company and you can track the answer. Use it when your card company or bank won't fix a dispute. (CFPB, CFPB)

  Open the CFPB complaint page

• The seller

  Your state attorney general (or consumer protection office) can ask the business to answer you. Scam or fraud? Also report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Your Pro dispute kit

Pro fills in your letters for you: the billing error letter to your card company, the error notice to your bank, the refund request to the seller, and the text for a CFPB or state complaint. A tracker shows each deadline. You send and file everything yourself; it all stays in your browser.

See what's in it: refund and dispute kit.

Sources

• 15 U.S.C. 1666 (Fair Credit Billing Act): correcting billing errors (checked October 21, 2026)
• 12 CFR 1026.13 (Regulation Z): billing error resolution (checked October 21, 2026)
• 12 CFR 1026.12 (Regulation Z): $50 limit and claims against the card company (checked October 21, 2026)
• 12 CFR 1005.11 (Regulation E): error resolution (checked October 21, 2026)
• 12 CFR 1005.6 (Regulation E): your liability for unauthorized transfers (checked October 21, 2026)
• CFPB official interpretation of 12 CFR 1005.11 (debit card purchases get 90 days) (checked October 21, 2026)
• CFPB: How do I dispute a charge on my credit card bill? (checked October 21, 2026)
• CFPB: How to fix mistakes in your credit card bill (checked October 21, 2026)
• CFPB: Getting money back after an unauthorized bank transaction (checked October 21, 2026)
• CFPB: Submit a complaint (checked October 21, 2026)
• CFPB: How the complaint process works (checked October 21, 2026)
• FTC: Sample letter for disputing credit and debit card charges (checked October 21, 2026)
• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (checked October 21, 2026)
• 16 CFR 435.2 (FTC Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Rule) (checked October 21, 2026)
• USAGov: State consumer protection offices (checked October 21, 2026)

We never contact a company, file a dispute or complaint, or send anything for you, and nothing you type is sent to us. Rules can change and your card or account agreement may give you more time; the official sources are the final word. General information, not legal advice. No company pays to be on this page.