Charged for Something You Never Got? Here's How to Dispute It
- Author: Miguel Waters
- Posted: 2026-11-04
Not every credit card purchase goes to plan.
The good news is that you may be able to get your money back by disputing the charge with your card issuer.
When can you dispute a charge?
Common reasons include:
- An unauthorized charge you think could be fraud
- A returned item that was never credited
- The wrong amount charged
- A canceled subscription that keeps billing you
- An item that never arrived, or the wrong item arrived
The CFPB's own guidance says to tell your card issuer about the problem right away.
A bad purchase isn't always grounds for a dispute. If you're simply unhappy with something and aren't eligible for a refund, that generally doesn't qualify.
Try these quick fixes first
Before you escalate, do a little detective work:
- Check your records. A receipt or confirmation email may explain an unfamiliar charge.
- Contact the merchant. Many issuers expect you to try this first, and it's often faster.
If the merchant can't fix it, it's time to go to your issuer.
How to dispute a charge, step by step
1. Contact your card issuer
You can usually start in your online account or mobile app.
You can also call the number on the back of your card.
2. Send a written notice
To protect your rights, you must send a written billing error notice within 60 calendar days after the charge appeared on your statement.
If you want to stop an automatic payment on the wrong amount, the notice must arrive at least three business days before the scheduled draw.
Your letter should include:
- Your name and account number
- The dollar amount you're disputing
- Why you believe an error was made
Use the dispute address on your statement, which is usually different from the payment address.
Keep a copy of the letter, plus any receipts or shipping confirmations that back up your claim.
3. Wait for the investigation
Your issuer has 30 days to confirm it received your letter, then another 90 days to investigate.
Here's what you're protected from while you wait:
- You don't have to pay the disputed amount during the investigation.
- You can't be required to pay interest or other charges on that amount.
- If you pay the rest of your bill on time, the issuer can't treat the payment as late.
4. Get the outcome
If the issuer agrees you're right, the charge must come off your bill.
If it says the charge is correct, it must explain why in writing.
What if it's fraud?
Federal law limits your exposure.
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your liability for unauthorized credit card use tops out at $50.
If only your card number was stolen and not the physical card, you aren't liable for unauthorized use.
Many issuers go further and offer "zero liability" policies. Check your card agreement for details.
What if your dispute is denied?
You still have options.
You can submit a complaint to the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-2372.
The CFPB says it forwards complaints to the company and works to get you a response, generally within 15 days.
How to avoid problem charges
A few habits can help you catch trouble early:
- Review your statements every month.
- Set up text or app alerts for purchases, or for purchases over a set amount.
- Use strong, unique passwords for merchant accounts.
- Turn on two-factor authentication when it's offered.
- Skip public Wi-Fi for purchases.
- Double-check that a shopping site is the one you meant to visit, since fake ads and email links can lead to fraudulent sites.
Alerts matter because a quick catch means you can start a dispute well before the 60-day window closes.
This article is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice. Check your card agreement and contact your issuer for specifics.
References
- Little, K. "Charged for something you never got? Here's how to dispute it with your card issuer." Yahoo Finance. Published November 3, 2026. https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/article/how-to-dispute-credit-card-charge-180403536.html
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "How do I dispute a charge on my credit card bill?" Ask CFPB. Date published not listed. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/61/how-do-i-dispute-a-charge-on-my-credit-card-bill.html
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is a credit card dispute?" Ask CFPB. Date published not listed. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-card-dispute-en-61/
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "How to fix mistakes in your credit card bill." Published January 2021 (per document footer). https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_adult-fin-ed_how-to-fix-mistakes-in-your-credit-bill.pdf
- Federal Trade Commission. "Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards." Consumer.ftc.gov (archived copy, Dec. 18, 2020). Original publication date not listed. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards
