How can I get a refund on a product or service I purchased with my credit card? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

How can I get a refund on a product or service I purchased with my credit card? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

If you're having trouble with a credit card, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). If you're not satisfied with the merchant's response, you may be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company and have the charge reversed. This is sometimes called a chargeback.

When you need a credit card refund, the best place to start is the place you made your purchase. You can contact the merchant and explain your situation. If the merchant agrees to the refund, you'll get a credit to your account. It might take some time for the credit to show up on your account.

When you return an item purchased with a credit card, the amount of the purchase can be refunded to your credit card balance. In many cases, credit card refunds take between five and 14 days to process. You likely won't keep credit card rewards you earned on the original purchase.

Contact your debit card issuer — often your bank — as soon as you know there's a problem. Some debit card issuers may voluntarily offer protections. Start by calling the customer service number. Follow up with a letter.

Contact your credit card company and tell them: The details of what you bought and how much you paid. Again, try to provide a receipt or other proof of purchase. Explain that you've not been able to get a refund from the retailer and include details of any correspondence.

You could also try to dispute the charge with your credit card issuer if, for example, your package was never delivered or if you suspect a fraudulent charge on your account. The issuer will then investigate the dispute and refund you the full amount if your claim is valid.

If asking the merchant for a refund didn't work, request a chargeback with your credit card issuer. Many card issuers let you dispute transactions by phone, mail or online. You may also be able to submit a dispute directly through your card issuer's mobile app.

Try to contact the trader

It's best to email or write to the trader - you can use a template letter. Keep a copy of anything you send, in case you need to check it later. If you can't contact the trader or they won't help, you can then ask your card provider or PayPal.

What to do if a seller refuses to refund? ›

If you think you're entitled to a refund, then in the first instance, you should go back to the store or contact the online retailer. Depending on what's wrong, you may be asked for proof or purchase, which could be the original till receipt, or a copy of the transaction on your bank or credit card statement.

Yes. You can dispute a credit card transaction, even if you willingly approved it at the time. Disputes like this happen frequently when a vendor doesn't deliver the goods or services as promised.

If you are still ignored then you go to your bank and tell them that the company has refused your request for a refund. If you have the item they will tell you what to do. If you don't have the item they you can file a complaint with the fraud department to get your money back.

Debit cards and chargeback

Debit card payments and purchases aren't covered by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. But if you don't get something you have paid for by debit card, and the firm is refusing to refund you, you can ask your bank to 'reverse the transaction' and get your money back via chargeback.

Yes, bad service can be a valid reason to dispute a charge. However, you are expected to contact the merchant first and attempt to resolve the problem with the merchant before requesting a chargeback.

Chargeback lets you ask your card provider to refund a payment on your credit card when a purchase has gone wrong. You should always contact the seller first, as you cannot start a chargeback claim unless you have done this.

The merchant refunds the purchase amount back to your credit card issuer, and the card issuer then credits your account for the returned amount, removing it from your statement balance.

What the law says about card overpayments. Under banking law, card issuers must return payments that are over the balance due. If you have a credit balance of more than $1, it should be refunded to you seven days after your written request.

How to request a chargeback. If asking the merchant for a refund didn't work, request a chargeback with your credit card issuer. Many card issuers let you dispute transactions by phone, mail or online. You may also be able to submit a dispute directly through your card issuer's mobile app.