How to dispute a charge on your Bank of America credit card
Bank of America lets you dispute a charge through your online account, by phone, or by mail. The fastest route is logging into your account, finding the transaction, and selecting "Report as Disputed" — you can do this within seconds and the dispute is timestamped when ready. If you call, you reach Bank of America's dispute department at the number on the back of your card; if you mail, you send a written statement to the address Bank of America provides. The bank then investigates, contacts the merchant, and typically resolves the dispute within 30 to 60 days.
You do not need to wait for a bill to arrive or for the charge to post fully. Disputing a pending charge works the same way as disputing a posted one. Bank of America will usually remove the charge from your account temporarily while investigating, though this is not may provide — it depends on the type of dispute and the bank's assessment of your claim.
Key Takeaways
- Report a disputed charge through your Bank of America online account, by calling the number on your card, or by mailing a written statement to the address the bank provides.
- The investigation typically takes 30 to 60 days, and the bank may remove the charge temporarily from your account while it investigates.
- You must report the dispute within 60 days of when the charge appeared on your statement, or you lose the right to dispute it under federal law.
- Gather your evidence before you dispute: emails, receipts, proof you cancelled a service, or proof the merchant never delivered what you paid for.
- If Bank of America rules against you, you can request the bank reconsider, but the merchant's records usually determine the outcome.
When you have 60 days to report the dispute
Federal law gives you 60 days from the date a charge appears on your statement to report it as disputed. This is a hard important date — after 60 days, Bank of America is not required to investigate. The 60 days starts when the statement is issued, not when you see the charge or when you discover the problem.
If you receive your statement online, the 60-day clock starts on the date Bank of America posts it to your account. If you receive paper statements, it starts on the date printed on the statement. Check your statement date carefully, because waiting until day 61 means you lose your right to dispute.
What counts as a valid dispute
Bank of America investigates four main types of disputes: you did not make the charge, the charge is for a different amount than you agreed to, the merchant never delivered what you paid for, or you cancelled a service but were still charged.
A dispute does not cover situations where you straightforward changed your mind about a purchase, where you regret the price, or where you had a service problem but the merchant completed the work. If you ordered something and it arrived damaged, that is usually a valid dispute. If you ordered it and it never arrived, that is valid. If you paid for a hotel stay and the room was dirty, that is typically valid. If you paid for a hotel stay and you straightforward did not like it, that is not.
The merchant's records carry the most weight in the investigation. If the merchant can show a signed receipt, a delivery confirmation, or evidence you used the service, Bank of America will likely rule in the merchant's favor even if you dispute the charge.
How to dispute through your online account
Log into your Bank of America account on the website or mobile app. Go to your credit card account and find the transaction you want to dispute. Click on the charge to open its details, then look for an option that says "Report as Disputed" or "Dispute This Transaction." Bank of America will ask you to select the reason for the dispute from a list: unauthorized charge, incorrect amount, merchandise not received, service not rendered, or other.
Select the reason that matches your situation most closely. Bank of America will then ask you to describe what happened in a text box — be specific here. Write what you expected to happen, what actually happened, and when you discovered the problem. Do not write "this is fraud" unless you genuinely did not make the charge. Do not write vague statements like "I did not get what I paid for" without explaining what you paid for and what you did not receive.
After you submit, Bank of America will send you a confirmation number and a reference number for the dispute. Save both. The bank will also send you a letter in the mail within a few days confirming the dispute and outlining the investigation process.
How to dispute by phone or mail
Call the number on the back of your Bank of America credit card and tell the representative you want to dispute a charge. Have your statement in front of you with the transaction date, merchant name, and amount. The representative will ask you the same questions the online form asks: the reason for the dispute and a description of what happened. They will create a dispute case and give you a reference number.
If you prefer to mail a dispute, write a letter to Bank of America that includes your name, account number, the transaction date, the merchant name, the amount, and a clear explanation of why you are disputing the charge. Mail it to the address Bank of America provides — you can find this on your statement or by calling the number on your card. Send it by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy for your records.
Mailed disputes take longer to process because the letter has to arrive, be scanned, and be entered into the system. Phone disputes are faster because the representative enters the information when ready. Online disputes are fastest because they are timestamped the moment you submit.
What happens during the investigation
After you report the dispute, Bank of America contacts the merchant and asks them to provide evidence that the charge was valid. The merchant typically responds with a signed receipt, a delivery confirmation, proof of service, or a record showing you used the service. Bank of America reviews this evidence and decides whether to uphold or reverse the charge.
During the investigation, the charge may be removed temporarily from your account balance, but this is not a may provide. Some disputes result in a temporary credit while others do not. If the charge is removed and Bank of America later rules in the merchant's favor, the charge will be put back on your account.
The investigation usually takes 30 to 60 days. Bank of America will send you a letter with the outcome, explaining whether the dispute was upheld or denied. If it was upheld, the charge is removed permanently and you keep any temporary credit. If it was denied, the charge stays on your account.
What to do if Bank of America rules against you
If the bank denies your dispute, you can request that it reconsider. Write a letter to Bank of America explaining why you believe the decision was wrong. Include any new evidence you have — emails from the merchant, proof the service was not delivered, photos of damaged merchandise, or anything else that supports your claim. Mail it to the same address you used for the original dispute.
Bank of America will review the new evidence, but the outcome often does not change. The merchant's records usually determine the result. If the merchant has proof of delivery or proof you used the service, the bank will likely uphold its original decision.
If you still believe the charge is wrong after Bank of America's final decision, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB does not reverse charges, but it investigates whether Bank of America followed the dispute process correctly. You can file a complaint on the CFPB website at consumerfinance.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dispute a charge if I used the credit card myself?
Yes, if the merchant did not deliver what you paid for or charged you the wrong amount. You cannot dispute a charge straightforward because you changed your mind or regret the purchase. If you authorized the charge but the merchant failed to deliver or overcharged you, that is a valid dispute.
What if the merchant is out of business?
You can still dispute the charge. Bank of America will attempt to contact the merchant, and if the merchant no longer exists or does not respond, the bank may rule in your favor. However, this is not automatic — the outcome depends on the type of dispute and what records the merchant left behind.
Will disputing a charge hurt my credit score?
No. Disputing a charge does not affect your credit score. Your credit score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — disputing a single transaction does not change any of those. However, if the dispute is denied and you do not pay the charge, that unpaid balance could eventually hurt your score.
Can I dispute a charge more than once?
You can request reconsideration after Bank of America denies your dispute, but you cannot file the same dispute twice. If you have new evidence, include it in your reconsideration request. Filing multiple disputes for the same charge may result in the bank closing your account.
How long does it take to get my money back?
If Bank of America upholds your dispute, the charge is removed from your account. If it was temporarily removed during the investigation, you already have your money back. If it was not temporarily removed, the credit appears within one to three business days after the bank makes its decision. The timeline depends on your bank and your account type.