Dispute a Credit Card Charge

When you can dispute

• Fraudulent charge — you didn\'t make it. (Always disputable.)
• Wrong amount — charged more than agreed.
• Item never arrived.
• Item arrived broken or "not as described" — and seller won\'t refund.
• Service not provided (cancelled flight, contractor didn\'t finish, etc.).
• Subscription you cancelled but kept charging.
• Double charge.
• Charges after returning an item.

Step-by-step process

1. Try the merchant first — call or email asking for refund. Save the response (or non-response).
2. Sign in to your card account — Chase, Discover, Citi, Capital One, etc. Look for "Dispute charge" or "Report a problem".
3. Click the charge in question. Many cards now have a "Dispute" button right there.
4. Pick a reason. Banks have ~15 categories.
5. Submit evidence — emails, photos, receipts.
6. Bank credits your account immediately while investigating (in most cases).
7. Wait 30-90 days for resolution.

Time limits

• Fraud: Up to 60 days from when you received the statement.
• Item not received / not as described: Usually 60-120 days from purchase.
• Old charges (over 6 months) — harder but sometimes still possible. Try.

Tips that help win

• Be specific — "Charged $150 on 3/14 for product that arrived broken on 3/20. Sent merchant photo on 3/22, no response."
• Save proof — emails, tracking numbers, photos.
• Stay polite — bank reps are humans deciding.
• Pay the rest of the bill — only the disputed part is held back.
• If denied, appeal. About 30% of denials get reversed on appeal.
• If still denied, file with CFPB at consumerfinance.gov — federal regulator.