Yes, you can dispute a charge, but the bank's timeline and your protection depend on whether the charge was unauthorized or just wrong

You have the right to challenge a charge on your bank account. The bank must investigate if you report it within a specific window—usually 60 days from when the statement was sent to you, though some banks allow longer. The process is called a chargeback or dispute claim, and the bank will either reverse the charge, ask you for more information, or tell you why they cannot reverse it.

The key difference is whether the charge was unauthorized (someone else used your card or account number) or erroneous (the merchant charged you twice, charged the wrong amount, or charged you after you cancelled). Unauthorized charges get stronger legal protection under federal law. Erroneous charges still get investigated, but the outcome depends more on what the merchant's records show.

Key Takeaways

  • Report unauthorized charges within 60 days of the statement date; your liability caps at $50 if you report before the charge posts, and $500 if you report after.
  • For erroneous charges (wrong amount, duplicate, cancelled service), contact the merchant first—most will reverse it without involving the bank if you have proof.
  • File a dispute with your bank in writing or through its online portal, not by phone, so you have a record of when you reported it.
  • The bank must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and complete its investigation within 45 days, though some disputes take longer if the merchant contests it.
  • If the bank rules against you, ask for the reason in writing and ask what documents the merchant provided to support their side.

Unauthorized charges versus erroneous charges

An unauthorized charge is one you did not make and did not permit—someone stole your card, your account number, or your login credentials and made a purchase. Federal law (Regulation E) protects you here: if you report it before the charge posts, you owe nothing. If you report it after it posts but within 60 days of the statement, you owe up to $50. If you wait longer than 60 days, you may owe the full amount, though many banks extend this window as a courtesy.

An erroneous charge is one the merchant made by mistake—they charged you twice, charged you $150 instead of $15, or kept charging you after you cancelled a subscription. These are not unauthorized, so Regulation E does not apply. Instead, the bank investigates under its own dispute process. You still have the right to challenge it, but the bank's decision rests on what the merchant's records show. If the merchant can prove they charged you correctly according to your agreement, the bank will likely deny the dispute.

Start with the merchant for erroneous charges. Call or email them with your order number, the date, and the amount. Most will reverse a duplicate charge or a pricing error on the spot. Only involve the bank if the merchant refuses or does not respond within a few days.

How to file a dispute with your bank

Contact your bank as soon as you notice the charge. Do not call—file the dispute in writing through your online banking portal, by email, or by mailing a letter to the address on your statement. Writing creates a record of when you reported it, which matters if the bank later claims you waited too long.

Include the charge amount, the date it posted, the merchant name, and a brief explanation of why it is unauthorized or wrong. If you have proof—a cancelled subscription confirmation, a receipt showing a different amount, a screenshot of the merchant's refund policy—attach it. The bank does not need it to start the investigation, but it speeds things up.

The bank must send you a written acknowledgment within 30 days saying they received your dispute and what they will do next. They will then contact the merchant and ask for their records. This is where the investigation stalls or moves forward: if the merchant has a signed receipt, an email confirmation, or a record that you used the card in person, the bank will likely side with them.

What happens during the investigation

The bank has 45 days to finish investigating, though this clock can restart if the merchant disputes the chargeback. During this time, the bank may temporarily credit your account while they work—this is called a provisional credit. It is not final; if the merchant wins the dispute, the bank will take the money back.

The merchant gets a chance to respond. They will send copies of the transaction record, your signature (if it was a card-present purchase), or a log showing you logged into your account and made the purchase. If the merchant does not respond within their deadline, the bank usually rules in your favor and makes the provisional credit permanent.

If the merchant responds with evidence that contradicts your claim—for example, a receipt signed by you, or a log showing your IP address and login—the bank will likely deny the dispute. You will lose the provisional credit and owe the charge again.

Your liability if you wait too long

The 60-day window is strict for unauthorized charges. It starts from the date your bank sent the statement, not the date the charge posted. If your statement was sent on the 15th and the fraudulent charge appears on it, you have until the 14th of the second month to report it. After that, your liability jumps from $50 to $500, and the bank may refuse to investigate at all.

Check your statements weekly or set up alerts on your debit card so you catch unauthorized charges early. Many banks let you turn on notifications for every transaction, or only for charges over a certain amount. This is your fastest early warning.

What to do if the bank denies your dispute

If the bank rules against you, they must send you a written explanation within a few days. Ask them to send you copies of the merchant's response and any documents they used to make the decision. Read through them carefully—sometimes the merchant's evidence does not actually prove what the bank claims it does.

If you believe the bank made an error, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB does not reverse the charge, but they investigate whether the bank followed the law. If the bank violated Regulation E or its own dispute process, the CFPB can order them to correct it.

You can also contact your state's attorney general or banking regulator. Each state has an office that handles complaints against banks. A complaint does not may provide a reversal, but it creates a record and may prompt the bank to reconsider if they made a procedural mistake.

Disputes involving debit cards versus credit cards

Debit card disputes are slower and riskier than credit card disputes. With a debit card, the money left your account immediately, so the bank is investigating whether to put it back. With a credit card, you never paid in the first place—the card company is investigating whether to charge you. This means credit card companies are often more willing to side with you during the investigation, because they are not taking money out of your pocket.

Debit card fraud also has a higher liability cap: $50 if you report within two business days, $500 if you report within 60 days. Credit cards cap your liability at $50 no matter when you report, as long as you report before the bill is due. If you use a debit card for regular purchases, consider switching to a credit card you pay off monthly—the dispute protection is stronger.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my money back after I file a dispute?

The bank must complete the investigation within 45 days, but the merchant can extend this if they contest the chargeback. A provisional credit may appear in your account within 10 days, but it is not final until the investigation ends. If the merchant wins, the bank will reverse the credit and you will owe the charge again.

Can I dispute a charge if I authorized the merchant but changed my mind?

No. If you gave the merchant permission to charge you—even if you later regret it—that is not an unauthorized charge. Your only option is to ask the merchant for a refund. If they refuse and the charge was for a subscription or recurring service, check whether they have a cancellation policy you did not follow.

What if the merchant is out of business or won't respond to the bank?

If the merchant does not respond to the bank's investigation request within their deadline, the bank usually rules in your favor and the provisional credit becomes permanent. However, if the merchant went out of business before the investigation started, the bank may still deny the dispute because there is no one to recover the money from.

Can I dispute a charge more than 60 days after the statement date?

For unauthorized charges, no—the 60-day window is a legal requirement. After that, your liability is the full amount and most banks will not investigate. For erroneous charges, some banks will still look into it as a courtesy, but they are not required to. Report disputes as soon as you notice them.

Will disputing a charge hurt my credit score?

No. Filing a dispute does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your score. However, if the bank denies the dispute and you owe the charge, paying it late or not at all will hurt your score.