How to Dispute an Unauthorized Credit Card Charge in California
How long do I have to dispute an unauthorized credit card charge?
Under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, you generally have 60 days from the date your billing statement was mailed or made available to you to submit a written dispute to your card issuer. That window starts from the statement date, not from when you notice the charge, so reviewing statements promptly matters. Check your specific card agreement for any additional terms.
What happens after I dispute a credit card charge?
After you file a written dispute, your card issuer is generally required under the Fair Credit Billing Act to acknowledge it within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles, typically no more than 90 days. During that period, you generally don't have to pay the disputed amount, and the issuer cannot report it as delinquent to credit bureaus while the investigation is open.
Where do I report credit card fraud in California?
California residents can report credit card fraud to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint, the California Attorney General's office at oag.ca.gov/consumers, and the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov if identity theft is involved. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation at dfpi.ca.gov also accepts complaints against certain financial service providers operating in the state.
Can I dispute a credit card charge if the merchant won't refund me?
Yes. If a merchant refuses to issue a refund for goods or services you didn't receive, or for a billing error, you can still file a dispute with your credit card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act. The issuer will investigate and may reverse the charge. Document your attempts to resolve the issue with the merchant directly, since that record can support your dispute.
Does disputing a credit card charge hurt my credit score?
Filing a dispute with your card issuer does not by itself hurt your credit score. While a dispute is pending under the Fair Credit Billing Act, the issuer generally cannot report the disputed amount as delinquent or charge interest on it. If the dispute is ultimately resolved against you and you then fail to pay, that nonpayment could affect your credit, but the act of disputing a charge does not.
Spotting a charge on your credit card statement that you didn't make - or didn't authorize - is one of the more stressful things that can happen to your finances, but federal and California law give you real tools to fight it. The process isn't automatic, though, and how fast you move matters.
Related: How to Dispute an Unauthorized Credit Card Charge in California · How to Dispute an Unauthorized Credit Card Charge in California: What Federal Law Requires and What to Do Step by Step
What Counts as a Disputable Charge
The federal Fair Credit Billing Act covers unauthorized charges (someone used your card without permission), charges for goods or services you never received, charges in the wrong amount, and billing errors like duplicate charges. It does not give you blanket protection against a purchase you simply regret or a subscription you forgot about. California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law add a separate layer for fraud and deceptive business practices, but the credit card dispute process is your most direct first move for a billing error or unauthorized transaction.
The 60-Day Window
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you generally have 60 days from the date the billing statement containing the error was mailed or made available to you to submit a written dispute to your card issuer. That clock is already running. If the charge appeared on last month's statement and you haven't acted yet, check the statement date and do the math now. Missing the window doesn't mean you're necessarily out of options, but it does mean your strongest federal protections no longer apply, and you'd be relying on your card issuer's goodwill or California's separate fraud statutes instead.
How to File the Dispute
Write to your card issuer's billing inquiries address, which is typically different from the payment address on your statement. Include your name, account number, the charge amount, the date it posted, and a clear statement that you're disputing the charge. Attach any supporting documentation you have: a receipt showing a different amount, a cancellation confirmation, a police report if your card was stolen. Send the letter by certified mail and keep a copy. Most issuers also let you open a dispute through their app or website, which is faster, but follow up in writing if the online process doesn't generate a confirmation you can save.
Once your issuer receives the dispute, federal law generally requires them to acknowledge it within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles, which typically means no more than 90 days. During the investigation, you're not required to pay the disputed amount, and the issuer generally can't report it as delinquent to the credit bureaus or charge you interest on it while the dispute is pending.
If the Issuer Rules Against You
Card issuers don't always side with the cardholder, especially in cases where a merchant has a signed receipt or delivery confirmation. If your dispute is denied, you have the right to request the documentation the issuer relied on and to submit a written explanation of your position, which the issuer must include with any future credit reporting on the account. From there, you can escalate.
See also: How to Dispute an Unauthorized Credit Card Charge in California: What Federal Law Actually Gives You · How to Dispute an Unauthorized Credit Card Charge in California
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts credit card complaints at consumerfinance.gov/complaint and often prompts a response from the issuer within 15 days. The California Attorney General's office accepts consumer fraud complaints at oag.ca.gov/consumers. If the charge resulted from identity theft, you can file a report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov, which generates a recovery plan and a formal report you can use with your bank, the credit bureaus, and law enforcement. California residents can also place a free security freeze on their credit files with each of the three major bureaus, which is separate from the dispute process but helps prevent further unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name.
When to Consider Going Further
If the disputed charge is large, if your issuer has been unresponsive past the legal timeframes, or if you believe you're the victim of a broader fraud scheme, a consumer protection attorney is worth consulting. California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act allows prevailing plaintiffs in consumer fraud cases to recover attorney's fees, which means attorneys sometimes take these cases on contingency. County Superior Court self-help centers can help you assess whether small claims court is appropriate for smaller amounts. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which regulates some financial service providers in the state, also accepts complaints at dfpi.ca.gov.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Dispute deadlines, issuer procedures, and applicable rules can vary by account and circumstance - verify current requirements with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov, the California Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/consumers, and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation at dfpi.ca.gov.