how far back can you dispute a credit card charge
The time frame to dispute a credit card charge varies depending on the type of dispute and the credit card issuer’s policies. Here are some general guidelines:
- Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): Under the FCBA, you have 60 days from the date the statement was mailed to you to dispute a charge. This applies to disputes related to:
- Unauthorized transactions
- Incorrect charges
- Goods or services not received
- Goods or services not as described
- Credit card issuer’s policies: Many credit card issuers have their own dispute resolution processes and time frames, which may be more generous than the FCBA’s 60-day limit. For example:
- American Express: 120 days
- Visa: 120 days
- Mastercard: 120 days
- Discover: 120 days
- Chargeback rules: If you’re disputing a charge due to a merchant error or a defective product, you may have up to 540 days (18 months) to initiate a chargeback. However, this time frame varies depending on the credit card network’s rules and the type of dispute.
- State laws: Some states have their own laws and regulations regarding credit card disputes, which may provide additional protections and longer time frames for disputing charges.
It’s essential to review your credit card agreement and contact your credit card issuer to determine their specific dispute resolution process and time frames. Even if you’re outside the standard time frame, it’s still worth contacting your credit card issuer to see if they can assist you with the dispute.
