You have up to 60 days from when you receive your statement to dispute a charge
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) sets a 60-day window to challenge a charge on your credit card statement. This clock starts when the card issuer mails or delivers your statement — not when the charge posted to your account. If you spot an unauthorized charge or a billing error, you must contact your card issuer within that 60-day period, or you lose the right to dispute it under federal law.
The 60 days is a hard important date. Once it passes, your issuer has no legal obligation to investigate or reverse the charge. Some issuers may still help you after 60 days as a courtesy, but they are not required to. The sooner you report a problem, the sooner the investigation begins and the faster you may see a credit back to your account.
Key Takeaways
- You must report a disputed charge within 60 days of receiving the statement that contains it; this is a federal requirement under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
- Contact your card issuer by phone, mail, or through your online account — written notice (email or letter) creates a record and is often faster than calling.
- Your issuer must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and complete an investigation within two billing cycles (usually 60 days), during which the charge is typically removed from your balance.
- If you dispute a charge after 60 days, your issuer may still help you, but they have no legal duty to do so and may deny your claim.
How to report a dispute within the 60-day window
Contact your card issuer as soon as you notice the problem. You can call the customer service number on the back of your card, log into your online account and file a dispute through the portal, or send a written notice by mail or email. Written notice is often the best choice because it creates a timestamped record and starts the issuer's legal clock running.
When you report the dispute, have your statement ready and be specific: give the transaction date, the merchant name, the amount, and a clear explanation of why you are disputing it. Say whether the charge is unauthorized (you did not make it), fraudulent (someone else used your card), or a billing error (wrong amount, duplicate charge, or service not received). The more detail you provide, the faster the issuer can investigate.
If you call, ask for a confirmation number and the name of the representative you spoke with. If you use email or your online portal, save or screenshot the confirmation. You need proof that you reported the dispute within 60 days if the issuer later claims they never received your notice.
What happens after you report a dispute
Your issuer must send you a written acknowledgment within 30 days of receiving your dispute notice. This letter will confirm they received your claim and tell you what happens next. During the investigation period — which can last up to two billing cycles, typically 60 days — the issuer must remove the disputed charge from your balance so you do not have to pay it while they investigate.
The issuer will contact the merchant or the merchant's bank to verify whether the charge is legitimate. If the merchant cannot prove the charge was valid, the issuer will credit your account permanently. If the merchant provides evidence that the charge was correct, the issuer will put it back on your account and send you a written explanation of their findings.
You have the right to see the merchant's evidence if you ask for it. If you disagree with the issuer's decision, you can dispute it again, but you will need new information or evidence to support your claim.
Disputes after the 60-day important date
Once 60 days have passed since you received your statement, the FCBA no longer requires your issuer to investigate. However, many issuers will still look into disputes filed after the important date, especially if the charge is recent or the amount is large. There is no harm in trying, but you have no legal protection if they refuse.
If you miss the 60-day window and the issuer declines to help, your other options are limited. You can contact the merchant directly and ask them to reverse the charge. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), though these agencies cannot force a reversal — they can only investigate whether the issuer violated consumer protection laws.
Different rules for different types of disputes
The 60-day rule applies to billing errors and unauthorized charges on credit cards. Debit cards have a shorter window: you have 60 days to report unauthorized charges, but if you wait more than two business days after noticing the fraud, your liability may increase. ACH transfers and wire transfers have their own rules and shorter windows, often 30 days or less.
If you are disputing a charge made through a third-party payment service like PayPal or Venmo, the 60-day FCBA rule still applies to the underlying credit card charge, but the payment service may have its own dispute process and timeline. Check the service's terms to understand their specific requirements.
Why the 60-day important date matters
The 60-day window exists to give merchants and card networks time to investigate and resolve disputes before too much time has passed. After 60 days, evidence becomes harder to find, merchants may have already settled their accounts, and the transaction becomes part of your permanent payment history. The important date also protects merchants from disputes filed months or years after a purchase.
Missing the important date does not affect your credit score directly, but if the charge remains on your account and you do not pay it, your account may go into collections, which will damage your credit. Disputing within 60 days removes the charge from your balance during the investigation, protecting you from late fees and interest while the issuer looks into it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 60 days start from when the charge posted or when I got my statement?
It starts from when you received your statement, not when the charge posted to your account. If a charge posts on the 5th but your statement closes on the 25th and arrives on the 30th, your 60 days begins on the 30th. This is why it is important to review statements as soon as they arrive.
What if I dispute a charge on day 61?
Your issuer has no legal obligation to investigate. Many will still help you as a courtesy, especially if the charge is recent or clearly fraudulent, but they can refuse. Your best move is to contact the merchant directly and ask them to reverse it, or file a complaint with the CFPB if you believe the issuer violated consumer protection laws.
Can I dispute a charge if the merchant says they already refunded it?
If the refund has posted to your account, there is nothing to dispute — the problem is already resolved. If the merchant claims they refunded it but you have not seen the credit, ask them for proof (a refund confirmation number or date) and give it 5 to 10 business days to appear. If it does not show up, then you can dispute the original charge.
Do I have to pay the disputed charge while the investigation is happening?
No. Once you report a dispute within 60 days, your issuer must remove the charge from your balance during the investigation. You are not required to pay it, and you cannot be charged interest or late fees on it while they investigate. If the issuer finds the charge was valid, they will put it back and you will owe it then.
What if the merchant goes out of business before the investigation is done?
Your issuer still has to complete the investigation and make a decision based on the evidence available. If the merchant is no longer in business and cannot respond to the inquiry, the issuer will typically credit your account because the merchant cannot prove the charge was valid. You are protected by the FCBA regardless of the merchant's status.