A credit card dispute normally begins with the issuer that bills your account. If a U.S. credit card was used without your permission, the amount is wrong, or promised goods or services never arrived or were not provided as agreed, you may be able to challenge the charge.

If you want to use the federal billing-error process, watch the date closely: the issuer generally must receive your written notice within 60 days after the first statement showing the error was sent to you. That notice is separate from asking the merchant for a refund, so don't wait for the merchant if the deadline is approaching.

This checklist is for U.S. credit card purchases. Debit cards, prepaid cards, bank transfers, and cards issued outside the United States can have different procedures and deadlines.

What a credit card dispute can cover

Common examples include:

• An unauthorized transaction
• The wrong amount or a duplicate charge
• Goods or services that never arrived
• Goods or services that were not delivered as agreed
• A promised refund or credit that never appeared
• A recurring charge made after you properly canceled the service

A defective or misrepresented product may also be eligible for an issuer dispute, but the result depends on the facts, the merchant's terms, and the rules the issuer applies. An authorized purchase does not become fraud just because the product disappointed you. Use the reason that accurately describes what happened.

A chargeback is not an automatic refund. The issuer may investigate, ask you for documents, obtain information from the merchant, and apply card-network procedures before reaching a final decision.

Credit card dispute deadlines

The Federal Trade Commission's guidance on using credit cards and disputing charges describes these general federal billing-error time frames:

The 60-day clock is generally tied to the statement showing the error, not the date you made the purchase. Report an unauthorized transaction as soon as you notice it rather than waiting for the deadline.

A card agreement or support message may mention a separate 90-day or 120-day chargeback window. That can be an operational deadline based on the network, transaction type, dispute reason, or issuer. It does not automatically replace the federal written-notice deadline. Treat the earlier date as your working deadline and ask the issuer which procedure applies.

Credit card dispute checklist

1. Confirm how the payment was made

First identify the payment rail. This checklist assumes the transaction was charged to a U.S. credit card.

If the money came from a debit card, prepaid card, ACH transfer, wire, payment-app balance, or another source, start with that provider's dispute procedure instead. The protections and time limits may not be the same.

2. Identify the charge

Pull up the statement that shows the transaction and write down:

• The merchant name as it appears on the statement
• The transaction date and amount
• The last four digits of the account
• The order, invoice, or confirmation number
• The date you first noticed the problem

Don't assume an unfamiliar statement description is fraud. Compare it with receipts, emails, subscriptions, and other purchases first. A store may bill under a different legal or processing name.

3. State the correct reason

Choose the reason that matches the evidence and describe the event briefly. Examples:

• "I did not authorize this transaction."
• "The merchant charged me twice for one order."
• "I canceled the service before this recurring charge was made."
• "The goods were not delivered by the promised date."
• "The merchant confirmed a $75 refund, but it does not appear on my statements."

Keep the explanation factual. Calling an authorized purchase "fraud" when the real issue is non-delivery, a defective product, or a missing refund can make the dispute harder to evaluate.

4. Contact the merchant for an authorized-purchase problem

For a delivery, service, refund, or product-quality issue, contact the merchant first when you can do so safely. Ask for the refund or correction in writing, and save both your request and the response.

That conversation doesn't replace notice to the issuer. If the 60-day deadline is close, send the written dispute immediately and say that you also tried to resolve the matter with the merchant. For an unauthorized charge, contact the issuer's fraud department promptly instead of waiting for a merchant response.

5. Gather evidence that fits the claim

Put the relevant documents in date order. Useful records may include:

• The statement page with the charge marked
• A receipt, invoice, or order confirmation
• The product listing, contract, or service description
• Delivery tracking and the promised delivery date
• Cancellation, return, or refund communications
• Emails, chat transcripts, or messages with the merchant
• Photos showing damage or a material difference from the description
• Records showing a duplicate charge or the correct agreed price

Send focused evidence rather than every document you have. Use the last four digits of the account unless the issuer requests more through a secure channel. Redact unrelated purchases and unnecessary sensitive information.

6. Send written notice to the right address

Use the billing-inquiries or billing-dispute address printed on the statement. It may not be the same address used for payments, customer service, or general correspondence.

Include:

• Your name and billing address
• The account number or last four digits
• The disputed amount and transaction date
• The merchant name
• The reason for the dispute
• A short timeline of what happened
• Copies of supporting documents
• The correction or credit you want

A phone call or online form may open a review, but the FTC recommends a written notice for the federal billing-error process. Keep a copy of the letter, every enclosure, and proof that the issuer received it. Don't send original documents unless the issuer specifically requests them.

7. Keep paying what you don't dispute

Continue paying the amount you agree you owe. Don't ignore the rest of the statement while the investigation is pending. Follow the issuer's instructions about the disputed portion, and keep records of any late fees, interest, temporary credits, or account changes.

8. Track the issuer's response

Keep a simple record of:

• When the issuer received your letter
• Any acknowledgment or case number
• The departments or representatives you contacted
• Requests for additional information
• Temporary credits or adjustments
• The date and reason for the final decision

A temporary credit is not necessarily final. Check later statements to see whether the issuer kept it, removed it, or changed the amount.

9. Answer follow-up requests

Send requested information by the stated deadline. A short timeline that connects each document to your claim is usually more useful than a folder of unrelated screenshots.

If you already provided a document, explain what it proves instead of sending the same file again without context.

Evidence by dispute type

A document showing that you placed an order may not prove that the merchant failed to deliver it. Match each item of evidence to the specific reason you selected.

Simple credit card dispute letter

Send the letter to the billing-dispute address on your statement. Replace the bracketed text with your information.

[Date]

Billing Inquiries
[Issuer name and billing-dispute address]

Re: Billing error on account ending in [last four digits]

I dispute the charge of $[amount] from [merchant] dated [transaction date]. The reason is [accurate reason].

[Brief factual timeline. Include when you contacted the merchant, what the merchant promised, and what remains unresolved.]

Please investigate this billing error and correct the account. I have enclosed copies of [list the supporting documents].

Please send written confirmation of the investigation and its result.

Sincerely,

[Full name]
[Billing address]
[Phone or email]

Keep the originals and a complete copy of the letter. Send copies of supporting documents unless the issuer asks for originals.

If the issuer denies the dispute

Read the decision letter before responding. It should explain why the issuer rejected the claim or what amount it still says is due. Then:

1. Confirm that the issuer received your notice within 60 days and that you used the billing-dispute address.
2. Request the records or documents used in the decision if they were not provided.
3. Compare the issuer's explanation with the reason and timeline in your original notice.
4. Send missing or clearer evidence through the issuer's appeal or reconsideration process.
5. Meet any response deadline in the decision letter.
6. If the issuer did not follow its stated billing-error process, document what happened and use the formal complaint route in your card agreement or on the issuer's website.

A merchant's refusal to refund does not automatically decide the issuer's review. It also does not guarantee that the dispute will succeed. The result turns on the transaction, the evidence, and the rules that apply to that card payment.

Find the first statement showing the charge, mark the date it was sent, and work out the 60-day deadline. If that date is near, send the written notice to the statement's billing-dispute address before continuing the merchant conversation.