Under the U.S. Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), you can dispute an unauthorized charge on your credit card statement by sending a written billing error notice to your card issuer within 60 calendar days after the charge appears on your statement. The issuer must acknowledge receipt in writing within 30 days, unless it resolves the dispute sooner. If the issuer determines the bill is correct, it must explain why in writing. This process applies to open-end credit card accounts and covers billing errors including unauthorized charges, per CFPB guidance. FCBA also limits your liability for fraud or card theft to a maximum of $50, though some issuers like Discover offer $0 fraud liability policies that exceed this minimum.

This framework helps U.S. credit card holders--not debit card users, merchant refund seekers, or those with loans or other payment types. Phone contact with your issuer may start resolution quickly, but only a written notice secures full FCBA protections. Next, review your statement, gather charge details, and mail the notice to the billing error address listed there (not the payment address).

What Controls Unauthorized Credit Card Charge Disputes

The U.S. Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) governs disputes over billing errors on open-end credit accounts like credit cards, including unauthorized charges. This federal law, explained in FTC guidance, requires card issuers to handle these disputes through a specific process. Key elements include sending a written billing error notice to the issuer within 60 calendar days after the charge appears on your statement. The issuer must then send a letter confirming receipt within 30 days, unless it corrects the error in that time.

If the issuer finds no error, it must provide a written explanation of why the charge is correct. FCBA also reduces consumer liability in fraud or card theft cases to up to $50, as noted in Discover's FCBA summary. Individual issuers or card networks like Visa and Mastercard often provide zero-liability policies that go beyond FCBA minimums, but the FCBA dispute process remains the controlling framework for billing errors. These protections apply only to credit cards, distinguishing them from other financial products.

What Does Not Control This Issue

Unauthorized credit card charge disputes fall under FCBA billing error rules, not merchant refund or return policies. Contacting the seller directly handles product issues or voluntary refunds, but FCBA disputes go through your card issuer for unauthorized billing errors. This process also differs from debit card, EFT/ACH, wire transfer, or prepaid account disputes, which follow separate rules like Regulation E with different timelines and protections.

Subscription cancellations or product delivery problems do not trigger FCBA unless they result in a billing error like an unauthorized charge on your statement. Card network zero-liability policies support fraud protection but do not replace the FCBA written dispute process for statement charges. Rules from other jurisdictions, such as UK or EU consumer protections, do not apply to U.S. credit card accounts.

Next Steps to Dispute and Evidence to Gather

Start by reviewing your credit card statement to identify the unauthorized charge: note the date it appeared, amount, merchant name, and any reference numbers. Contact your issuer by phone to report the issue--this may lead to a temporary credit while they investigate--but follow up with a written billing error notice to invoke FCBA protections fully.

Send the written notice by mail to the billing error address on your statement (often listed on the back or in issuer docs; avoid the payment address or online forms unless specified). Include your name, account number, a description of the charge, and a clear statement that it is unauthorized. CFPB provides sample letter language in its guidance. Keep copies of the statement, your notice, and any issuer communications.

Act within the 60-day window from the statement date containing the charge. No fees apply for valid FCBA disputes.

Escalation Paths and Limits

If your issuer fails to acknowledge your written dispute within 30 days or does not follow FCBA processes, contact their compliance department first. FCBA applies strictly to open-end credit card accounts, so confirm your card qualifies (excludes charge cards, loans, or debit). Some charges may involve confirmed fraud, where issuer policies provide quicker zero-liability resolution, but billing errors still require the FCBA timeline for statement disputes.

Limits include the 60-day notice deadline--disputes filed later may not receive full FCBA protections. Gather more evidence, such as transaction logs or merchant communications, if re-disputing a denial.

FAQ

How soon must I dispute an unauthorized charge?
Within 60 calendar days after it appears on your statement (CFPB).

Do I need to write a letter, or is a phone call enough?
A phone call may start the process, but send written notice to protect full FCBA rights (CFPB).

What is my max liability before disputing?
Up to $50 under FCBA for fraud/theft; many issuers offer $0 liability (e.g., Discover policy).

Does this apply to debit cards?
No, FCBA covers credit cards only--debit uses Regulation E.

What if the issuer denies my dispute?
They must explain in writing; review and consider re-disputing with additional evidence.