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    How to Dispute a Wrong Charge With Your Bank

    If you see a charge you don't recognize or didn't authorize, here's how to report it to your bank and get your money back.

    4 min read · 6 steps · Checked May 2026

    1. Step 1. Verify the charge is actually incorrect

      Before calling the bank, spend a few minutes investigating. Sometimes a legitimate merchant appears under a parent company name. Search the business name on Google if you do not recognize it. Check your receipts. If you have a family member on the account, ask if they made the purchase.

    2. Step 2. Gather your information

      Write down the transaction date, the amount, and the merchant name as it appears on your statement. Note when you first noticed the charge. Have your bank account number and the card number handy.

    3. Step 3. Call your bank immediately

      Call the customer service number on the back of your debit or credit card. Tell them: "I am calling to dispute a charge on my account." Give them the date, amount, and merchant name. Ask for a dispute case number and write it down. Larger banks often resolve simple disputes within 24-72 hours.

      Quick Tip

      Quick Tip: You can also file a dispute through your bank's mobile app or website — look for "Dispute a Transaction" next to the specific charge in your transaction list.

    4. Step 4. Request a provisional credit

      When you dispute a charge, ask the bank representative if they can issue a "provisional credit" — a temporary return of the disputed amount to your account while the investigation is ongoing. Most banks do this automatically for larger disputes.

      Warning

      Do not spend provisional credits until the dispute is fully resolved in your favor. If the investigation finds the charge was valid, the bank will reverse the provisional credit and you will owe the money.

    5. Step 5. Follow up in writing

      After your phone call, send a brief written follow-up through your bank's secure message center (in the app or website) summarizing what you reported. Written records protect you if the dispute is later questioned. Keep copies of all correspondence.

    6. Step 6. Escalate if needed

      If your bank denies the dispute and you believe they are wrong, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or call 1-855-411-2372. You can also contact your state attorney general's office.

    Spotting a charge you don't recognize on your bank account can be alarming. The good news is that federal law gives you strong protections, and banks are required to investigate and resolve disputes.

    There are two types of incorrect charges. A billing error is a mistake — for example, a merchant charged you twice, or the wrong amount was charged. An unauthorized transaction is fraud — someone used your account without your permission.

    For debit card transactions, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (Regulation E) protects you. If you report an unauthorized transaction within 2 business days of learning about it, your liability is limited to $50. If you report it within 60 days of the statement date showing the error, you are covered for most losses. After 60 days, you may be responsible for the loss — this is why monthly statement review matters.

    For credit cards, the Fair Credit Billing Act provides even stronger protection — your liability for unauthorized use is generally capped at $50 regardless of when you report it.

    Acting quickly is key. As soon as you notice an incorrect charge, contact your bank right away. Do not wait to see if it resolves itself.

    Keep records of every communication with your bank: the date you called, the name of the representative, and the case or reference number they give you. If your initial dispute is denied, you have the right to request a written explanation and to escalate the complaint.

    (Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-checking-account-consumer-report-en-2029)

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