Dispute a card charge (chargeback)
See the time limits for disputing a credit card charge, what your card issuer must do, and prepare a dispute letter you review and send yourself.
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General legal information from official sources, not legal advice. You decide what to do.
What this problem is
Under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute billing errors on a credit card, such as charges for things you didn't receive or wrong amounts. You must write to the card issuer within 60 days of the statement that first showed the error.
Your rights in plain language
Dispute billing errors in writing
60 days from the date the card issuer sent the statement showing the error
Verified source: 15 U.S.C. § 1666 — Correction of billing errors (Fair Credit Billing Act)(opens in a new tab)
What the card issuer must do
30 days from the card issuer receiving your written notice
Verified source: 15 U.S.C. § 1666 — Correction of billing errors (Fair Credit Billing Act)(opens in a new tab)15 U.S.C. § 1666(a)(3)(B). The card issuer must correct the error, or explain why it believes the bill is correct, within two complete billing cycles and no later than 90 days.
Verified source: 15 U.S.C. § 1666 — Correction of billing errors (Fair Credit Billing Act)(opens in a new tab)
Key deadlines
| Deadline | Source |
|---|---|
| Send written notice of the billing error to the card issuer: 60 days (the date the card issuer sent the statement showing the error) | |
| 30 days (the card issuer receiving your written notice) |
The official process
Try the seller first
Ask the seller to fix it, and keep a record.
Write to the card issuer within 60 days
Use the billing-error address on your statement. Say what the error is, the amount, and why.
Wait for acknowledgment and a decision
The issuer must acknowledge your letter and then correct the error or explain why the bill is correct.
Escalate if needed
If the issuer doesn't follow the rules, complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Common mistakes
- Only phoning the card issuer instead of writing.
- Missing the 60-day window after the statement.
- Sending the dispute to the payment address.
Rules where you live
Somewhere else? Start the guided questions and choose your state: we'll show free information and people who can help.
Questions
Is this free?
The information on this page and your personalized results are free. If you want us to prepare a dispute letter for you to review and send, the price is shown before you start.
Does this cover debit cards?
No. The rules on this page are for credit cards. Debit card problems are handled by your bank under different rules.
Which states can you prepare a letter for?
Right now: Florida, California, New York and Texas. For other states we show free information and people who can help.
Get help from a person
Free and low-cost help, and official bodies that can step in.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: submit a complaintFederal complaints about credit cards, banks, lenders and debt collectors.
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraudReport scams, fraud and bad business practices to the federal government.
- LawHelp.orgPlain-language guides and legal aid directories, by state.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources. We check them regularly.
- 15 U.S.C. § 1666 — Correction of billing errors (Fair Credit Billing Act)U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · checked Oct 24, 2026
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