Quick answer: Try the merchant first, then file a dispute with your card issuer through its app, website, or the number on the back of your card. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act you have 60 days from the statement date to dispute billing errors, and the issuer must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve within two billing cycles (up to 90 days).
Key Takeaways
- You generally have 60 days from the statement date to dispute a billing error
- Contact the merchant first, then your card issuer
- Keep receipts, screenshots, and dates as evidence
- Fraudulent charges are capped at $50 liability by law
Step 1: Contact the merchant
Many issuers require you to attempt a resolution with the seller first, and merchants often refund faster than a formal dispute. Keep a record of the date, who you spoke with, and what was said.
Step 2: File the dispute with your issuer
Log in to your card account and find the transaction. Most major issuers (Chase, Capital One, American Express, Citi, Discover, Bank of America) have a “Dispute this charge” or “Report a problem” button. Choose the reason that fits: unauthorized charge, item not received, item not as described, duplicate charge, or wrong amount.
Step 3: Provide evidence
Upload receipts, order confirmations, screenshots of messages with the seller, tracking information, and photos if the product was damaged or different from what was advertised. Clear, dated evidence is what wins disputes.
What happens next
The issuer typically posts a temporary credit while it investigates. The merchant is given a chance to respond. If the issuer rules in your favor the credit becomes permanent; if not, the charge is reinstated and you should receive a written explanation and the right to request the documents the issuer relied on.
Fraud vs. billing dispute
If you did not make the charge at all, report it as fraud, not a dispute. Your liability for unauthorized credit card charges is capped at $50 by law, and nearly all issuers waive even that. The card will usually be cancelled and reissued.
Tips that improve your odds
- Act quickly; the 60-day clock starts on the statement date, not the purchase date.
- Do not stop paying the rest of your bill; only the disputed amount can be withheld.
- Keep everything in writing when possible.
- If the issuer denies a valid claim, you can complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
FAQ
Can I dispute a debit card charge the same way? Debit cards are covered by a different law (Electronic Fund Transfer Act) with tighter deadlines, so report even faster.
Will a dispute hurt my credit score? No. Filing a dispute is not reported to credit bureaus.
Can I dispute a subscription I forgot to cancel? You can try, but issuers often side with the merchant if terms were disclosed. Cancel the subscription first, then dispute charges made after cancellation.
Sources
Last updated: August 15, 2026. Written by the InfoBrief Editorial team. We link to official government and company sources and update articles when facts change. See our disclosure.