How Long Do You Have to File a Chargeback?

A chargeback serves as a consumer protection mechanism, allowing individuals to dispute unauthorized or problematic transactions directly with their bank or credit card issuer. This process reverses a charge when goods are not received, services are not rendered, or other issues arise that cannot be resolved with the merchant. Understanding the specific time limits for initiating a chargeback is important for consumers to effectively utilize this protection. These timeframes vary depending on the card network and the specific reason for the dispute.

General Chargeback Filing Periods

Credit card networks establish rules governing the timeframe within which a cardholder can initiate a chargeback. Time limits generally range from 60 to 120 days. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover allow cardholders up to 120 days to file a dispute for most common issues. This period begins from the date the transaction posts to the account or the statement date on which the transaction first appears.

The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) mandates a minimum of 60 days for consumers to dispute billing errors, but card networks provide a more extended period. A charge for an item not received or an incorrect amount can be disputed within this general window. Unauthorized transactions, such as those resulting from fraud, also fall under these general timeframes, aligning with the 120-day standard.

While a 120-day window is common, specific issues have shorter deadlines, such as 75 days for certain authorization-related issues or invalid data for Visa. Mastercard also has disputes with a shorter 90-day time limit for specific issues like authorization-related chargebacks or point-of-interaction errors. These general periods are the most common deadlines encountered by consumers.

Specific Timeframe Triggers and Variances

The precise start date for a chargeback filing period can differ based on the specific reason for the dispute, introducing nuances beyond the general transaction date. If goods or services were never received, the clock begins from the expected delivery date, not the original purchase date. Visa allows up to 120 days from the expected delivery date, with an overall limit of 540 days from the original transaction date. Similarly, American Express provides 120 days from the expected receipt date for non-delivered items.

When goods are defective or not as described, the filing period starts from the date the item was received or the date the defect was discovered. American Express, for example, allows 120 days from the date the item was received for damaged or defective goods. Mastercard also uses the delivery date for defective goods for its 120-day window.

For recurring billing issues, such as a subscription that was canceled but still charged, the chargeback window resets for each disputed charge. If a credit or refund was expected but not processed by the merchant, the time limit for filing a dispute begins from the date the credit was expected or agreed upon. Issuers need to wait a certain number of days, 15, after the credit transaction receipt date before initiating a dispute for a credit not processed. These varied triggers ensure the chargeback mechanism accounts for different scenarios where the problem may not be immediately apparent.

Information Needed to File a Chargeback

Before contacting a bank or credit card issuer to file a chargeback, consumers should gather specific information and documentation. Details include the transaction date, the exact amount charged, and the name of the merchant involved.

A clear description of what went wrong is necessary, outlining the nature of the dispute, such as non-receipt of goods or services, or defective merchandise. Proof of purchase, such as receipts, order confirmations, or invoices, helps substantiate the claim. Records of any attempts to resolve the issue directly with the merchant are required. These records should include dates and times of contact, names of representatives, summaries of conversations, and copies of emails or chat logs.

Supporting documentation, such as photographs of damaged goods, tracking numbers for shipments, or relevant contracts, can provide evidence. Attempting to resolve the matter with the merchant first is a prerequisite for initiating a chargeback, as banks expect this step to have been taken. This documentation helps the financial institution assess the validity of the claim.

Steps to Initiate a Chargeback

Once all necessary information and documentation have been gathered, the process of initiating a chargeback can begin. The step involves contacting the credit card company or bank that issued the card used for the transaction. Consumers can reach their card issuer through various methods, including phone calls to customer service, utilizing online banking portals, or sending written correspondence via mail.

During this initial contact, the cardholder will provide the previously collected transaction details and explain the nature of the dispute. The bank’s representative will then guide the consumer through their specific dispute process, which involves filling out a formal dispute form. After the chargeback is filed, the cardholder receives a provisional credit for the disputed amount while the bank conducts an investigation. The duration of this investigation varies, but the card issuer has a period, such as up to two billing cycles or around 90 days, to resolve the dispute.