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Fair Credit Billing Act · Reg Z

Chargeback Dispute Letter

The Fair Credit Billing Act gives you a powerful federal right to dispute charges on your credit card — your bank must acknowledge the dispute within 30 days, cannot collect the disputed amount while it investigates, and must resolve it within 90 days. Most consumers never put this in writing, so their disputes go nowhere.

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Valid reasons to dispute a charge

Item not received
Merchant claims delivery but you never received the goods. Cite tracking or lack thereof.
Not as described
Item or service was materially different from what was advertised or promised.
Unauthorized charge
You did not authorize this transaction — your card was used without permission.
Duplicate charge
You were billed twice for the same transaction on the same or different dates.
Services not rendered
You paid for a service the merchant never delivered or canceled without refund.
Charged after cancellation
Merchant continued billing after you properly canceled the subscription or service.

Federal laws that require your bank to act

Fair Credit Billing Act (15 U.S.C. § 1666)

Governs credit card disputes. You must dispute within 60 days of the statement containing the charge. Your bank must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve the dispute within two billing cycles — no more than 90 days. The disputed amount cannot be collected or reported as delinquent during investigation.

Regulation Z (12 CFR § 1026.13)

The implementing regulation for the FCBA. Sets the procedure: written acknowledgment within 30 days, resolution within two billing cycles, and — under § 1026.13(d) — a bar on collecting the disputed amount, reporting it delinquent, or restricting your account while the investigation is open. Banks that fail to follow Reg Z procedures are liable for damages.

Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. § 1693f) — for debit cards

If a debit card was used, the EFTA applies instead of FCBA. You must report within 60 days of your statement. The bank has 10 business days to investigate (up to 45 days if provisional credit is issued). EFTA provides significantly weaker protections than FCBA — use credit whenever possible for large purchases.

What your bank must do — and when

Acknowledge dispute
Within 30 days of receiving your written dispute letter
15 U.S.C. § 1666
Suspend collection
Cannot collect the disputed amount or report it delinquent while investigating
Reg Z § 1026.13(d)
Resolve dispute
Within two billing cycles, max 90 days
15 U.S.C. § 1666(a)
Written decision
Must explain outcome in writing if ruling against you
15 U.S.C. § 1666(b)
No adverse reporting
Cannot report dispute to credit bureaus during investigation
15 U.S.C. § 1666(d)
CFPB escalation
File complaint at consumerfinance.gov if bank fails to act
CFPB authority

Disputed charge on your card?

Get a letter addressed to your card issuer that cites the Fair Credit Billing Act, invokes your right to withhold payment during the investigation, and sets a statutory deadline for written resolution.

✦ Write my dispute letter — $7.99
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