You have up to 60 days from when you see the charge on your statement
The federal Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) sets a 60-day window to dispute a charge. The clock starts on the date the charge appears on your statement, not the date you made the purchase or discovered the problem. If you spot an unauthorized charge or a billing error on a statement dated March 15, you have until May 14 to contact your card issuer.
This 60-day limit applies to all credit card disputes: charges you don't recognize, duplicate charges, amounts that don't match what you agreed to pay, and charges for items or services you never received. Debit cards have different protections under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which gives you only 60 days to report unauthorized transactions, but the clock starts when you discover the fraud, not when the statement arrives.
Your card issuer must receive your dispute notice within the 60-day window. Calling the customer service number on the back of your card, sending a written letter, or using the card issuer's online dispute tool all count as long as they arrive in time. If you call on day 61, you have missed the important date and the card issuer is not required to investigate.
Key Takeaways
- The 60-day window starts from the statement date, not the purchase date or when you discover the problem.
- You can dispute by phone, mail, or your card issuer's online portal, but the notice must reach them before day 61.
- The card issuer must acknowledge your dispute in writing within 30 days and complete an investigation within 90 days.
- If you miss the 60-day important date, you lose the federal protection, though some card issuers may still investigate as a courtesy.
- Temporary credits can appear in your account while the investigation is underway, even if the final outcome is not yet decided.
What happens after you file a dispute
Once you contact your card issuer, they must send you a written acknowledgment of the dispute within 30 days. This letter confirms they received your claim and tells you what happens next. During the investigation, the card issuer will contact the merchant, review transaction records, and ask you for any supporting documents you have — receipts, emails, proof of return, or evidence that the charge was unauthorized.
The card issuer has up to 90 days to complete the investigation and tell you the outcome. In many cases, they will issue a temporary credit to your account within 10 business days while they investigate, so the disputed amount is no longer counted against your available credit or balance. This temporary credit is not a final decision; it straightforward removes the charge from your account during the review period.
If the investigation finds in your favor, the temporary credit becomes permanent and the charge is removed. If the investigation finds the charge was valid, the card issuer will remove the temporary credit and you will owe the amount again. They must explain their decision in writing and tell you how to appeal if you disagree.
Disputes for charges you don't recognize versus billing errors
The FCBA covers two types of disputes: unauthorized charges (someone used your card without permission) and billing errors (the merchant charged you the wrong amount, charged you twice, or charged you for something you returned). The process is the same for both, but the evidence you need differs.
For an unauthorized charge, you need to show you did not make the purchase. This might mean proving you were not in the location where the charge occurred, showing that your card was in your possession, or demonstrating that the merchant is a fraud. For a billing error, you need documentation of what you actually agreed to pay — a receipt showing a different price, an email confirming the return, or a contract stating the terms.
If you authorized the original charge but the merchant made an error (charged you $150 instead of $50, or charged you after you cancelled), that is still a billing error under the FCBA, not an unauthorized charge. The dispute process is identical, but framing it correctly helps the card issuer understand what they are investigating.
What to do if you are close to the 60-day important date
If you are approaching day 60, contact your card issuer when ready by phone. A phone call creates a record and starts the clock on their 30-day acknowledgment requirement. Follow up with a written dispute — either by mail or through your online account — so there is a paper trail. Some card issuers allow you to file disputes through their mobile app or website, which time-stamps your submission automatically.
Write or type your dispute clearly: include the transaction date, the merchant name, the amount, and a brief explanation of why you are disputing it. If you are claiming the charge is unauthorized, state that directly. If it is a billing error, explain what the correct amount should have been or why you should not have been charged. Attach copies of any supporting documents — do not send originals.
Keep a record of when you filed the dispute, who you spoke to, and any confirmation numbers. If you called, note the date and time. If you mailed a letter, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. This documentation protects you if the card issuer later claims they never received your dispute.
What happens if you miss the 60-day important date
Once 60 days have passed, the FCBA no longer requires the card issuer to investigate your dispute. However, many card issuers will still look into complaints as a courtesy, especially if you have been a long-standing customer or if the charge is clearly fraudulent. There is no harm in contacting them and explaining the situation, but you have no legal right to a response or a reversal.
If the charge was truly unauthorized — for example, your card was stolen and used months later — you may still have other options. Contact your card issuer's fraud department directly and explain that you did not make the charge. They may be able to help even outside the 60-day window, particularly if there is a pattern of fraud on your account or if the merchant is known for scams.
If you discover a billing error after 60 days, your only recourse is to contact the merchant directly and ask them to correct it. Some merchants will reverse charges voluntarily if you can show the error. If the merchant refuses, you can try to resolve it through your card issuer's customer service, but they are not legally required to investigate.
How disputes affect your credit score and account
Filing a dispute does not hurt your credit score. The dispute itself is not reported to credit bureaus, and the temporary credit issued during the investigation does not change your payment history. Your account remains in good standing while the dispute is being reviewed.
However, if the investigation finds the charge was valid and you owe the money, failing to pay it after the dispute is resolved can damage your credit. Once the temporary credit is removed, you are responsible for the full amount. If you do not pay, the card issuer may report it as a late payment or charge-off, which will appear on your credit report.
If you are disputing a large charge and the temporary credit is significant, do not assume the dispute will be resolved in your favor. Budget for the possibility that you will owe the full amount when the investigation concludes. This way, you are not caught off guard if the charge is upheld.
Disputes on charges from merchants you recognize
Sometimes you recognize the merchant but dispute the charge because the amount is wrong, you returned the item, or you cancelled a subscription. These disputes are still covered by the FCBA and follow the same 60-day timeline. The fact that you authorized the merchant does not prevent you from disputing a billing error.
For these disputes, gather your evidence first: a receipt showing the price you were quoted, a return tracking number, a cancellation confirmation email, or a screenshot of the subscription settings showing you cancelled. Send this documentation with your dispute so the card issuer can see exactly what went wrong. Merchants are more likely to reverse charges quickly when you provide clear proof of the error.
If you are disputing a recurring charge (a subscription or membership you thought you cancelled), include the cancellation confirmation in your dispute. If you do not have a confirmation, explain when and how you cancelled and what you said. The card issuer will contact the merchant to verify whether the cancellation was processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 60-day clock start from when I made the purchase or when I see it on my statement?
It starts from the statement date, not the purchase date. A charge might appear on your statement weeks after you made the purchase. The 60 days are counted from the date printed on the statement where the charge first appears.
Can I dispute a charge after I have already paid it?
Yes. You can dispute a charge even if you have paid the full balance. If the investigation finds in your favor, the card issuer will credit the amount back to your account or your original payment method.
What if the merchant says the charge was valid but I still disagree?
You can appeal the card issuer's decision if you believe the investigation was wrong. Contact the card issuer and explain why you disagree with the outcome. Provide any new evidence you have. The card issuer will review your appeal, though they are not required to reverse their decision a second time.
Do I have to pay the disputed amount while the investigation is happening?
No. The temporary credit issued during the investigation means the disputed amount does not count against your balance or minimum payment. You only owe the amount again if the investigation concludes the charge was valid.
What if my card issuer ignores my dispute?
If the card issuer does not acknowledge your dispute within 30 days or does not complete the investigation within 90 days, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state's attorney general. Keep records of all communication with the card issuer so you can show when you filed the dispute and what response you received.