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Short answer: to dispute a credit card charge, call your card company right away. Then send a written billing error notice within 60 days after the statement on which the charge first appeared. The company has 30 days to confirm it received your letter. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says it must finish its investigation within two billing cycles. This guide follows what the CFPB advises.
Dispute a credit card charge: key deadlines
These deadlines come from the CFPB’s guidance on fixing mistakes in your credit card bill.
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Send your written notice | Within 60 days after the statement on which the error first appeared |
| Company confirms it got your letter | Within 30 days of receiving it |
| Company finishes its investigation | Within two billing cycles |
Step 1: Call, then put it in writing
The CFPB says to let the card company know about the problem right away. Use the customer service number on your bill or the back of your card. The company may direct you to dispute online, which can require setting up online account access. But a call or an online form about the credit card charge is not enough on its own. The CFPB says to send a written billing error notice within 60 calendar days to protect your rights. Use the billing-dispute address on your bill. It may differ from the address where you send payments.
Your letter should include your name and address, your account number, and a clear explanation of the error and why you believe it is wrong. Keep a copy as proof. Keep the dates of any follow-up calls in the same file.
Step 2: Know what you can withhold on a credit card charge
You don’t have to pay the disputed credit card charge, or related finance charges, while the company investigates. You must still pay the correct charges on time. The CFPB says that if you pay the undisputed amount on time, the company can’t report your payment as late. It also can’t charge interest on the disputed amount during the investigation, and it can’t make you pay the disputed charge while it investigates. That protection is a reason to dispute formally, not just call.
Step 3: What the company must do
Within 30 days of receiving your notice, the company must send a letter confirming receipt. The exception is when it has already finished its investigation within that time. If it finds you are right, it must remove the charge from your bill. If it finds the bill is correct, it must explain why in writing. It must also state how much you owe and give the payment due date. Our report on the average credit card APR shows why avoiding finance charges on a disputed balance can matter.
Caveats worth knowing
If you already paid the disputed credit card charge, you can still dispute it. But you probably won’t get the money back until the company rules in your favor. For defective goods or services bought with a credit card, you may need a different dispute process, so check your card agreement. The CFPB suggests reviewing your credit card agreement for your rights on unauthorized charges. You can find it on the issuer’s website or in the CFPB’s Credit Card Agreement Database.
Review your statement every month. Compare your starting balance with the previous bill and look for unfamiliar charges, including optional add-on products with fees. With holiday shopping starting, our guide to holiday return policies covers what to try with the retailer before a dispute is needed.
Editor’s take
The 60-day clock is the part people miss. If you see something wrong, don’t wait for the company to fix it after a phone call. Write the letter, send it to the billing-dispute address, and keep your copy. When you dispute a credit card charge in writing, the law’s protections start working for you.
