You have 60 days from when the charge appears on your statement to dispute it
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) sets a hard important date: you must contact your credit card company within 60 calendar days of the date the disputed charge appears on your statement. This is a federal rule that applies to all credit card issuers in the United States. The 60 days starts from the statement date itself, not from when you first noticed the charge or when you received the card in the mail.
If you miss this window, you lose the right to dispute the charge under federal law. Your card issuer may still help you if you contact them after 60 days, but they are not required to investigate, and you have no legal protection. Many issuers will work with you anyway if the charge is recent or if fraud is involved, but do not count on it.
The clock does not stop if you are traveling, if the statement arrives late, or if you were unaware of the charge. It is your responsibility to review statements promptly and act within the important date.
Key Takeaways
- You must notify your card issuer in writing within 60 days of the statement date showing the charge, or you lose your right to dispute it under federal law.
- The 60-day window is measured from the statement date, not from when you discovered the charge or when it posted to your account.
- Contact your card issuer by phone, mail, or their online dispute tool, but follow up with written notice if you call, because the FCBA requires written disputes to be honored.
- Once you file a dispute, the issuer has up to 45 days to investigate and tell you the outcome, though many resolve disputes faster.
- During the dispute period, you can refuse to pay the contested amount while the investigation is underway, and the charge cannot be reported as late.
How to start a dispute before the important date
Contact your card issuer as soon as you spot a charge you did not make or recognize. You can call the customer service number on the back of your card, log into your online account, or use the card issuer's mobile app — most now have a "dispute this charge" button in the transaction history. Write down the date, time, and name of anyone you speak to, and ask for a reference number.
However, a phone call alone does not fully protect you. The FCBA requires that your dispute be in writing to trigger the issuer's legal obligation to investigate. After you call, send a written dispute letter or use the issuer's online dispute form within a few days. Include your name, account number, the transaction date, the amount, the merchant name, and a brief explanation of why you are disputing it. Keep a copy for your records.
If you use the online tool or app, take a screenshot showing that you submitted the dispute and the date you submitted it. If you mail a letter, send it to the address the issuer provides for disputes — not the payment address — and use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
What happens after you file a dispute
Once your card issuer receives your written dispute, they have up to 45 days to investigate and send you a written response. During this time, the charge is considered disputed, and you do not have to pay it. The charge cannot be reported as late or delinquent while the investigation is open, and it will not damage your credit score.
The issuer will contact the merchant to ask for proof that you authorized the charge or received the goods or service. If the merchant cannot provide proof, the issuer will usually remove the charge and credit your account. If the merchant provides a receipt or other documentation showing you made the purchase, the issuer will likely deny your dispute and tell you why.
Some issuers resolve disputes in two to three weeks, especially for clear cases of fraud or merchant error. Others take the full 45 days. You will receive a letter or email explaining the outcome and whether the charge has been removed or upheld.
What counts as a valid reason to dispute a charge
The FCBA covers several types of disputes. The most common is unauthorized charges — someone used your card without permission, either because it was stolen or because someone had access to your card number. You can also dispute a charge if you returned merchandise but were never credited, if you were charged twice for the same purchase, or if the amount charged differs from what you agreed to pay.
You can dispute a charge for services you never received or goods that arrived damaged or significantly different from what was described. You cannot dispute a charge straightforward because you changed your mind about a purchase, because you are unhappy with the quality of a service, or because you forgot you made the purchase. Those are merchant disputes, not billing disputes, and they are handled differently — you would need to contact the merchant directly to request a refund or return.
If a subscription or recurring charge continued after you cancelled, that is a valid billing dispute. If a merchant charged you after you revoked permission for automatic payments, that also qualifies.
Disputes that involve fraud or identity theft
If someone used your card number without your knowledge, report it to your card issuer when ready. Fraud disputes often move faster than other types because issuers take them seriously and want to prevent further unauthorized use. Many issuers will issue a temporary credit within a few days while they investigate, rather than making you wait the full 45 days.
If you believe your identity has been stolen or your card information was compromised in a data breach, ask the issuer to cancel your current card and issue a new one. You can also place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by contacting any one of them. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
Keep records of all communications with your issuer and the credit bureaus. If the fraud is extensive or involves accounts you did not open, you may want to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.
What happens if you miss the 60-day important date
If you contact your card issuer after 60 days have passed since the statement date, the FCBA no longer requires them to investigate your dispute. At that point, you have no federal legal right to a chargeback or credit. However, many issuers will still look into the charge if you explain the situation, especially if fraud is involved or if the charge is recent.
Your best option is to contact the merchant directly and ask for a refund or correction. If the merchant refuses and you believe the charge was unauthorized or fraudulent, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). These agencies cannot force a refund, but they can investigate the merchant's practices and take action if they find a pattern of abuse.
To avoid this situation, set a reminder to review your credit card statement within a week of receiving it. Many people set a phone alert for the day their statement is due, so they remember to check it before the 60-day window closes.
Disputes on debit cards and prepaid cards
Debit cards and prepaid cards have different protections than credit cards. If you dispute an unauthorized charge on a debit card, you have only 60 days from the statement date, just like a credit card. However, the investigation period is shorter — the issuer has only 10 business days to investigate, though they can extend it to 45 days if they need more time.
With a debit card, the money comes directly from your bank account, so a dispute can take longer to resolve because the funds are already gone. Many banks will issue a provisional credit within a few days while they investigate, but you may not see the full credit until the investigation closes. If the dispute is denied, the money is not returned to you.
Prepaid cards have even weaker protections. Some prepaid card issuers do not honor FCBA disputes at all, or they have shorter windows. Always check your prepaid card agreement to understand what protections explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 60-day clock start from when I see the charge or from the statement date?
It starts from the statement date, not from when you first notice the charge. If a charge appears on your statement dated January 15, your 60 days runs from January 15, even if you do not open the statement until January 20. This is why reviewing statements quickly matters.
Can I dispute a charge if the merchant says I authorized it?
Yes, you can still file a dispute. The issuer will investigate by asking the merchant for proof of your authorization — a signed receipt, an email confirmation, or a recorded phone call. If the merchant cannot provide proof, the charge will be removed. If they can, the issuer will likely deny your dispute, but you have the right to try.
What if my card issuer denies my dispute?
If the issuer denies your dispute, they must send you a written explanation of why. You can ask them to reconsider if you have new evidence, or you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You can also pursue the matter with the merchant directly or through small claims court if the amount is small enough.
Do I have to pay the disputed charge while the investigation is happening?
No. Once you file a written dispute, you do not have to pay the contested amount while the issuer investigates. The charge cannot be reported as late or sent to collections during the dispute period. If the dispute is denied, you will then owe the charge.
How do I know if my dispute was received?
If you use the online tool or app, you should see a confirmation number and a record of the dispute in your account. If you mail a letter, use certified mail with return receipt. If you call, get a reference number and follow up with a written dispute within a few days. Keep all confirmations and receipts until the dispute is resolved.