How to Dispute a Charge on Your Credit Card

Found a charge you do not recognize? Learn how to dispute it with your credit card company and get your money back.

In this guide (6 steps):

1.Identify the suspicious charge
2.Try contacting the merchant
3.File a dispute with your card company
4.Provide documentation
5.Wait for investigation
6.Review the outcome

Identify the suspicious charge

~15s

Review your statement in your card company's app or website. Note the date, amount, and merchant name.

Try contacting the merchant

~15s

For billing errors or undelivered goods, call or email the merchant first. Keep records of your communication.

File a dispute with your card company

~15s

In the app or website, find the charge and tap "Dispute" or "Report a problem." Or call the number on your card.

Provide documentation

~15s

Upload evidence: receipts, order confirmations, emails, tracking numbers, or photos of damaged goods.

Wait for investigation

~15s

Your card company acknowledges within 30 days and resolves within 90 days. You do not pay the disputed amount during this time.

Review the outcome

~15s

If the charge is removed, verify on your statement. If it stands, you can request the evidence used in the decision.

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If you find an unauthorized charge, wrong amount, or charge for something you did not receive on your credit card, you have the right to dispute it under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Your maximum liability for unauthorized charges is $50, and most issuers waive even that.

Reasons to dispute: unauthorized transactions, billing errors (wrong amount, double charges, returned item charges), goods not received, or goods significantly different from advertised.

Try contacting the merchant first for billing errors or undelivered goods — many issues resolve with a phone call. Keep records of communication. If the merchant does not resolve it, or the charge is unauthorized, contact your credit card company through the app, website, or phone number on your card.

When filing: explain specifically why you are disputing ("I did not authorize this transaction" or "I was charged $75.99 but the correct amount was $45.99"). Provide supporting documents — receipts, confirmations, emails, photos.

Your card company must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve within 90 days. During investigation, you do not pay the disputed amount and it cannot be reported as overdue. You must dispute within 60 days of the statement date, so review statements regularly.

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