How to dispute a charge on your Chase credit card
You can dispute a charge on your Chase credit card by contacting Chase directly through their dispute process, which typically takes 30 to 60 days to resolve. Chase will investigate whether the charge was unauthorized, fraudulent, or made in error. You do not need to wait for a statement to arrive — you can start a dispute as soon as you notice the problem.
The fastest way to begin is through the Chase mobile app or your online account, where you can report the transaction when ready. If you prefer to speak with someone, call the number on the back of your card. Chase will walk you through what happened, document your claim, and assign it a reference number you can use to track progress.
Key Takeaways
- Report the disputed charge to Chase within 60 days of the transaction appearing on your statement to stay within federal protection timelines.
- You can start a dispute online through your Chase account, through the mobile app, or by calling the number on your card.
- Chase will typically issue a temporary credit within two to five business days while they investigate, though you are not may provide a refund until the investigation closes.
- Gather receipts, emails, or other proof of what you ordered or what the merchant promised before you contact Chase.
- If Chase denies your dispute, you can ask them to reconsider or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Report the charge through your Chase account online or app
Log into your Chase account at chase.com or open the Chase mobile app. Go to your credit card account and find the transaction you want to dispute. Look for the transaction details and select the option to report it as unauthorized, fraudulent, or incorrect.
Chase will ask you to describe what happened. Be specific: if the charge was unauthorized, say you did not make it and do not recognize the merchant. If you were charged twice for the same purchase, say so. If the merchant charged you a different amount than agreed, explain the difference. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for Chase to investigate.
After you submit, Chase will give you a reference number and tell you what to expect next. Save this number — you will need it if you need to follow up.
Call Chase to report the dispute by phone
Call the number on the back of your credit card and tell the representative you want to dispute a charge. Have the transaction date, the merchant name, and the amount ready. The representative will ask you the same questions the online form does: whether the charge was unauthorized, what you ordered, or what went wrong.
The representative will document your dispute, assign you a reference number, and explain what happens next. Ask them to confirm your contact information so Chase can reach you if they need more details. Request that they note in your account that you have reported the dispute, so if you call back, the next representative will see it.
What happens after you report the dispute
Chase will open an investigation and typically issue a temporary credit to your account within two to five business days. This credit is not final — it is a placeholder while Chase investigates. The investigation itself usually takes 30 to 60 days.
During the investigation, Chase will contact the merchant and ask them to prove the charge was legitimate. The merchant will send receipts, proof of delivery, or other documentation. Chase will review what both sides provide and decide whether to make the temporary credit permanent or reverse it.
You will receive written notice of the outcome by mail or through your online account. If Chase rules in your favor, the temporary credit becomes permanent and the charge is removed. If Chase rules against you, the temporary credit is reversed and you owe the amount again.
Gather documentation before or during the dispute
The strongest disputes include proof of what you ordered, what the merchant promised, and what actually happened. Collect emails from the merchant, order confirmations, tracking numbers, photos of damaged items, or messages showing the merchant agreed to a refund.
If the charge was unauthorized, you do not need to prove you did not make it — Chase will investigate the merchant's records. But if the dispute is about a service that was not delivered or a product that arrived damaged, documentation makes Chase's job faster and your case stronger.
If you do not have documentation, tell Chase what you remember: the date you ordered, what you expected to receive, and what went wrong. Chase can still investigate without receipts, but having them speeds the process.
What counts as a valid dispute reason
Chase recognizes several categories of disputes. Unauthorized charges are transactions you did not make or authorize. Fraudulent charges are similar — someone used your card number without permission. Billing errors include being charged twice for one purchase, being charged the wrong amount, or being charged for something you returned.
Merchandise or services not received means you paid for something that never arrived or was never delivered. Merchandise or services not as described means what arrived was damaged, broken, counterfeit, or significantly different from what the merchant promised.
Disputes over the quality of a service, a change of mind about a purchase, or a disagreement about whether a service was worth the price are harder to win. Chase will still investigate, but the merchant can argue they delivered what was promised, and Chase may side with them.
What to do if Chase denies your dispute
If Chase investigates and decides the charge was legitimate, they will tell you in writing. You can ask Chase to reconsider if you have new evidence — for example, if the merchant later admitted the charge was wrong, or if you find a receipt you did not have before.
If Chase still denies the dispute, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB will review Chase's investigation and can push back if they believe Chase made an error. This does not may provide a refund, but it creates a record and may prompt Chase to reconsider.
You can also contact your state's attorney general or banking regulator, though the CFPB is usually the fastest route for credit card disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to dispute a charge?
Federal law gives you 60 days from the date the charge appears on your statement. Chase may allow disputes beyond 60 days, but waiting longer makes it harder to investigate and less likely they will rule in your favor. Report it as soon as you notice it.
Will I get my money back while Chase investigates?
Chase usually issues a temporary credit within two to five business days, so you will not owe the amount while they investigate. But this credit is temporary — if Chase rules against you, the charge goes back on your account and you owe it again.
Can I dispute a charge if I authorized the merchant but they overcharged me?
Yes. If you authorized a $50 charge and the merchant charged $75, that is a billing error and you can dispute it. Chase will ask the merchant to prove you agreed to the higher amount. If the merchant cannot show that, Chase will refund the difference.
What if the merchant says I returned the item late or outside their return window?
Tell Chase what happened: when you returned it, how you returned it, and whether the merchant acknowledged the return. If you have tracking showing the return was delivered, include that. Chase will ask the merchant for proof they received it and whether their return policy was clearly stated at the time of purchase.
Can I dispute a charge if I used a debit card linked to my Chase checking account?
Yes, but the process and protections are slightly different. Debit card disputes follow different federal rules and may take longer to resolve. Call the number on your debit card or log into your checking account to start the dispute through the same online or phone process.