Credit Card Chargeback Guide: Get Your Money Back
Your Federal Protection
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) gives you the right to dispute billing errors and withhold payment while the card issuer investigates. Maximum liability for unauthorized charges is $50.
Valid Reasons for Chargeback
- Unauthorized charges: Fraudulent transactions you didn't make
- Goods not received: Paid but never got the product
- Defective merchandise: Product arrived damaged or not as described
- Duplicate charges: Charged twice for the same purchase
- Wrong amount: Charged more than the agreed price
- Services not rendered: Paid for service that wasn't provided
- Canceled recurring charges: Subscription charged after cancellation
Important Deadlines
| Action | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File dispute | 60 days | From statement date with error |
| Bank acknowledges | 30 days | Bank must respond to your dispute |
| Investigation | 2 billing cycles (max 90 days) | Bank must resolve dispute |
| Fraud claims | ASAP | Report immediately for max protection |
How to File a Chargeback
- Try the merchant first: Give them a chance to resolve the issue
- Gather documentation: Receipts, emails, photos of defects, tracking info
- Contact your card issuer: Call the number on your card or use online banking
- Submit written dispute: Follow up in writing for documentation
- Provide evidence: Send all supporting documents
- Wait for investigation: Bank will contact merchant
- Review outcome: Bank will credit or explain denial
Warning: Don't Abuse Chargebacks
Filing false chargebacks is fraud. Only dispute legitimate issues. Merchants can contest chargebacks, and banks track abuse patterns.
Sample Dispute Letter
Subject: Dispute of Charge - Account ending in [XXXX]
Dear Dispute Department,
I am writing to dispute a charge on my account statement dated [DATE].
Transaction Details:
• Merchant: [NAME]
• Amount: $[AMOUNT]
• Date: [DATE]
• Reference: [IF AVAILABLE]
Reason for Dispute: [Goods not received / Defective product / Unauthorized charge / etc.]
I have attempted to resolve this with the merchant on [DATE] but was unsuccessful. Enclosed please find [LIST DOCUMENTS: receipts, emails, photos, etc.]
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, I request that this charge be investigated and removed from my account.
Sincerely,
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