What you can do about a charge you didn't authorize or want to cancel
If you made a purchase on your credit card and want to reverse it, your options depend on whether the merchant will cooperate. The fastest path is to contact the merchant directly and ask for a refund or cancellation — most will process this within 5 to 10 business days. If the merchant refuses, won't respond, or you believe the charge is fraudulent, you can dispute the transaction with your credit card company, a process called a chargeback. Your card issuer will investigate and may reverse the charge while they look into it.
The key difference: a refund from the merchant is final and quick. A chargeback takes longer (30 to 90 days) but protects you if the merchant won't budge. You cannot cancel a charge that has already posted to your account by straightforward deleting it or calling the card company to erase it — the transaction exists in the merchant's records too.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the merchant first — most refunds happen within 5 to 10 business days if you ask directly.
- For recurring charges you no longer want, cancel the subscription or service with the merchant before disputing anything.
- If the merchant refuses or doesn't respond, file a dispute with your credit card company, which will investigate on your behalf.
- Chargebacks take 30 to 90 days and require you to document why the charge was wrong or unauthorized.
- Fraudulent charges should be reported to your card issuer when ready, and you are typically not liable for unauthorized transactions.
Contacting the merchant for a refund
Start by reaching out to the business where you made the purchase. Look for a customer service phone number, email, or online chat on their website or your receipt. Explain what you bought, when, and why you want a refund — whether it's because the item didn't arrive, was damaged, didn't match the description, or you straightforward changed your mind.
Keep a record of every contact: the date, the name of the person you spoke with, what they said, and any confirmation number they give you. Most merchants process refunds within 5 to 10 business days, though the money may take another 3 to 5 days to appear back on your card. If the merchant agrees to a refund but you see no credit after two weeks, follow up again with the confirmation number.
For online purchases, check the merchant's return policy first — some have time limits (often 30 days) or restocking fees. If you ordered something that hasn't shipped yet, canceling before it ships is usually when ready. If it has already shipped, you may need to refuse delivery or return it.
Stopping recurring charges and subscriptions
If you are being charged monthly for a subscription or membership you no longer want, log into your account with that merchant and cancel the subscription directly. Most services let you do this in an account settings or billing section. Look for buttons labeled "Cancel subscription," "Manage billing," or "Pause membership."
Cancel before your next billing date if you want to avoid another charge. If you have already been charged and want that money back, cancel the subscription first, then contact customer service and ask for a refund of the most recent charge. Some merchants will refund one charge as a courtesy; others will not.
Do not dispute a recurring charge with your card company before canceling the subscription itself. If you dispute without canceling, the merchant may keep trying to charge you, and you will end up disputing the same charge multiple times.
Filing a dispute with your credit card company
If the merchant will not refund you or does not respond within a reasonable time (usually 7 to 10 days), contact your credit card issuer and file a dispute. You can do this by phone, mail, or through your online account. Look for a "Report a Problem" or "Dispute a Transaction" link in your card's website or app.
When you file, you will need to explain why the charge is wrong. Common reasons include: the merchant charged you twice, the amount was wrong, you canceled the order but were still charged, the item never arrived, or the charge is fraudulent. Be specific — include the date of the charge, the merchant's name, the amount, and what happened.
Your card issuer will assign the dispute a case number and send you a confirmation. They will contact the merchant and ask them to prove the charge was valid. This investigation typically takes 30 to 90 days. During this time, your card company may issue a temporary credit to your account while they investigate.
What happens during a chargeback investigation
Once you file a dispute, the card issuer sends a request to the merchant's bank asking for proof that the transaction was authorized and legitimate. The merchant has a window (usually 7 to 10 days) to respond with documentation — a signed receipt, proof of delivery, or evidence you received the service.
If the merchant does not respond or their proof is weak, the card issuer will likely rule in your favor and the charge will be reversed. If the merchant provides strong evidence that you authorized the charge and received what you paid for, the card issuer may deny your dispute and you will owe the money again.
The outcome depends on the type of dispute. For example, if you claim you never received an item, the merchant can often win by showing a tracking number proving delivery. If you claim the charge is fraudulent, the merchant must prove you authorized it — which is harder if you report it quickly.
Reporting fraudulent charges
If someone used your card number without your permission, report it to your card issuer when ready — by phone is fastest. You are not liable for fraudulent charges under federal law, but the sooner you report it, the faster your card company can freeze the account and investigate.
Your card issuer will cancel your current card and send you a new one. They will also file a dispute on your behalf for any unauthorized charges. Keep the case number they give you and check your account regularly over the next 30 to 90 days to make sure no new fraudulent charges appear.
If fraudulent charges keep appearing after you report them, ask your card issuer whether your information was compromised in a data breach. You may also want to place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name.
How long refunds and chargebacks take
A merchant refund usually appears on your card within 5 to 10 business days after the merchant processes it. However, your card company may take another 3 to 5 days to post the credit, so the full timeline is often 10 to 15 days. Some merchants take longer, especially if they process refunds in batches.
A chargeback investigation takes 30 to 90 days. Your card issuer may issue a temporary credit within 10 days while they investigate, but the final decision comes later. If you win, the charge is reversed permanently. If you lose, the temporary credit is removed and you owe the merchant again.
During a chargeback, your card company may ask you for additional documentation — receipts, emails with the merchant, proof you tried to resolve it, or a written statement of what happened. Respond quickly and include everything they ask for, because delays can hurt your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a credit card charge the same day I make it?
If the charge has not yet posted to your account (it may show as "pending"), you can sometimes cancel it by contacting the merchant when ready. Once it posts, you will need to ask the merchant for a refund or file a dispute. Pending charges usually post within 1 to 3 business days.
What if I authorized the charge but changed my mind?
If you knowingly made the purchase but now regret it, the merchant is not required to refund you — it depends on their return policy. You can ask, but a dispute with your card company is unlikely to succeed because you authorized the charge. Your best option is to return the item according to the merchant's policy or ask for a one-time courtesy refund.
Will disputing a charge hurt my credit score?
Filing a dispute does not directly affect your credit score. However, if the dispute is denied and you refuse to pay, the merchant may report you as delinquent, which can hurt your score. Disputing a legitimate charge you authorized can also damage your relationship with the merchant.
What if the merchant goes out of business before I get my refund?
If the merchant closes and you have not received a refund, file a dispute with your card company when ready. Your card issuer will investigate, but if the merchant is gone, they may not be able to recover the money. You are still protected from liability, but recovering the funds may not be possible.
Can I dispute a charge more than once?
You can file one dispute per transaction. If your first dispute is denied, you cannot file another dispute for the same charge. However, if new evidence comes to light (such as proof the merchant committed fraud), you may be able to reopen the case. Contact your card issuer to ask whether your situation qualifies.