The federal time limit is 60 days from when you receive your statement
You have 60 days from the date your statement was mailed or made available to dispute a charge with your credit card company. This important date comes from the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), a federal rule that applies to all credit cards issued in the United States. The 60-day clock starts when you receive the statement containing the charge you want to dispute — not when the charge first appeared on your account.
If you miss the 60-day window, your card issuer is not required to investigate the charge. Some issuers may still look into disputes filed after 60 days, but they have no legal obligation to do so. The sooner you report a problem, the better your position.
The statement date matters more than the transaction date. A charge from three months ago might still be within your 60-day window if it only appeared on your most recent statement. Check your statement carefully and note the date it was issued.
Key Takeaways
- The federal important date to dispute a charge is 60 days from when you receive your statement, not from when the charge posted to your account.
- After 60 days, your card issuer has no legal duty to investigate, though some may choose to anyway.
- You must contact your card issuer in writing or through their online dispute system to start the process — a phone call alone does not create a formal dispute.
- Your card issuer must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and complete their investigation within 90 days of receiving it.
- If you dispute a charge before paying your bill, you do not have to pay that amount while the investigation is underway.
How to file a dispute before the important date expires
Contact your card issuer as soon as you spot the problem. You can start a dispute by phone, but follow up in writing or through your online account to create a paper trail. Most major card issuers — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover — have dispute forms on their websites or in their mobile apps. Some allow you to initiate a dispute directly in your account dashboard.
When you file, include the transaction date, the merchant name, the amount, and a clear explanation of why you are disputing it. Common reasons include: the charge was unauthorized, the merchant charged you twice for one purchase, the amount was wrong, or you returned the item but were never refunded. Be specific. "I don't recognize this" is weaker than "I never received this order and the merchant won't respond to my refund request."
Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and time you filed. If you have emails from the merchant, screenshots of your order, or proof of return, include those too. The more documentation you provide upfront, the faster the investigation typically moves.
What happens after you file a dispute
Your card issuer must acknowledge receipt of your dispute within 30 days. They will assign it a reference number and tell you what happens next. During this time, the disputed amount is usually removed from your bill or marked as pending — you do not have to pay it while they investigate.
The issuer then has up to 90 days from the date they received your dispute to complete their investigation. They will contact the merchant, ask for proof that the charge was legitimate, and review any evidence you provided. If the merchant cannot prove the charge was valid, the issuer will reverse it and credit your account. If the merchant provides proof of delivery, a signed receipt, or other documentation showing the transaction was authorized, the issuer will likely deny your dispute and you will owe the amount.
You will receive written notice of the outcome. If your dispute is upheld, the charge is removed and you owe nothing. If it is denied, the amount goes back on your bill and you have the right to request that the issuer explain their decision in detail.
Disputes for unauthorized charges versus merchant errors
The 60-day important date applies to all disputes, but the strength of your case depends on what went wrong. Unauthorized charges — someone used your card without permission — are often easier to win because the merchant typically cannot prove you authorized the transaction. You may also be protected by your card's zero-liability policy, which many issuers offer for fraudulent charges.
Merchant errors — wrong amount charged, duplicate charge, item not received — require more documentation. You will need proof that you contacted the merchant first and they refused to fix it, or proof that the item never arrived. If you ordered something and it was delivered to your address, the merchant has a strong defense even if you claim you never received it. Tracking information showing delivery is usually enough for the issuer to side with the merchant.
Refund disputes — you returned an item but were never refunded — are strongest when you have proof of return, such as a tracking number showing the package reached the merchant. Without that, the merchant can claim they never received the return and the issuer will likely deny your dispute.
What happens if you miss the 60-day important date
If you discover a problem after 60 days have passed, you lose the legal protection of the FCBA. Your card issuer is no longer required to investigate. However, you still have other options. Contact the merchant directly and request a refund. If the merchant refuses and the charge was fraudulent, you can report it to your state's attorney general or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Some card issuers will investigate disputes filed after 60 days as a courtesy, especially if you have been a long-standing customer or if the charge is clearly fraudulent. It never hurts to ask, but do not count on it. The 60-day window exists for a reason — it gives both the issuer and merchant time to gather evidence while the transaction is still fresh.
If you are a victim of identity theft or account takeover, the rules may be different. Contact your issuer when ready and ask about fraud protection. Many issuers will reverse fraudulent charges even outside the 60-day window if you report the theft promptly.
How the dispute process affects your credit
A dispute itself does not hurt your credit score. The disputed charge is typically removed from your balance while the investigation is underway, so it does not count against you during that time. However, if the dispute is denied and you refuse to pay, the charge can eventually be reported as delinquent and damage your credit.
Pay attention to the issuer's timeline. If they deny your dispute and the charge goes back on your bill, you have the right to request a detailed explanation. If you still disagree, you can escalate the complaint to your state's banking regulator or the CFPB, but this does not stop the charge from appearing on your credit report if you do not pay it.
The best approach is to dispute charges as soon as you spot them, within the 60-day window. This gives you the strongest legal position and the best chance of a favorable outcome before the charge affects your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 60-day important date start from when I made the purchase or when I got my statement?
It starts from when you received your statement, not when you made the purchase. A charge from months ago can still be within the 60-day window if it only appeared on your most recent statement. Check the date your statement was issued to know when your important date is.
Can I dispute a charge over the phone, or do I have to write it down?
You can start a dispute by phone, but you should follow up in writing or through your online account to create a record. Phone calls alone do not always create a formal dispute that triggers the issuer's legal obligations. Use your card's website, app, or send a written letter to be safe.
Do I have to pay the disputed charge while the investigation is happening?
No. While your dispute is under investigation, the charge is usually removed from your bill or marked as pending. You do not have to pay it. If the dispute is denied, the amount goes back on your bill and you will owe it.
What if the merchant says they already refunded me but the money never showed up?
File a dispute and provide any proof you have — the merchant's refund confirmation email, your order number, or screenshots of your account. The issuer will contact the merchant to verify the refund was processed. If the merchant cannot prove they sent it, the issuer will likely reverse the original charge.
Can I dispute a charge after I have already paid my bill?
Yes. You can dispute a charge at any time within 60 days of receiving your statement, whether you have paid the bill or not. If you have already paid, the issuer will credit the amount back to your account once the dispute is upheld.