File a dispute directly with Bank of America within 60 days of the charge
Bank of America gives you 60 days from the date the charge appears on your statement to report it as unauthorized or incorrect. You can start a dispute online through your Bank of America account, by phone, or in person at a branch. The bank will assign your case a reference number and begin an investigation, which typically takes 10 business days but can extend to 45 days if they need to contact the merchant.
During the investigation, Bank of America may place a temporary credit in your account while they verify the charge with the merchant. This is not a final resolution—it is a provisional credit that protects your money while they work. If the merchant confirms the charge was legitimate, the bank will remove the credit and you will owe the amount again.
The 60-day window is strict. If you report a charge after 60 days, Bank of America is not required to investigate under federal law, though they may still look into it as a courtesy. Mark the date the charge appeared on your statement and file your dispute before that deadline passes.
Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days from the date a charge appears on your statement to report it to Bank of America as unauthorized or wrong.
- File your dispute online through your Bank of America account, by calling the number on the back of your card, or at a branch—all three routes trigger the same investigation.
- Bank of America will usually place a temporary credit in your account within one to three business days while they investigate, but this is not final.
- The investigation takes 10 to 45 business days; the bank will contact the merchant and tell you the outcome in writing.
- If you miss the 60-day deadline, the bank has no legal obligation to investigate, though you can still ask them to review it.
How to start a dispute online or by phone
The fastest route is through your Bank of America online account or mobile app. Log in, find the transaction you want to dispute, and select "Report as Unauthorized" or "Report an Error." The app will ask you to describe what happened—whether the charge is fraudulent, you were charged twice, the amount is wrong, or you never received the item. Be specific about what went wrong; vague descriptions slow the investigation.
If you prefer to call, dial the number on the back of your debit or credit card. A representative will walk you through the dispute process and take down the details of the charge. They will give you a reference number on the spot; write it down. If you are at a branch, bring your card and a recent statement showing the charge, and a banker can file the dispute for you in person.
Whichever method you use, you will receive written confirmation of your dispute within one to three business days. Bank of America will send this to the address on file or make it available in your online account. Keep this confirmation and your reference number for your records.
What happens during the investigation
Once you file, Bank of America contacts the merchant (the business that charged you) and asks them to prove the charge was legitimate. The merchant has a set time to respond—usually 10 business days. During this time, the bank may place a temporary credit in your account so you are not out the money while they investigate. This credit is provisional; it can be reversed if the merchant provides proof the charge was valid.
The bank also reviews your account for patterns. If you have a history of disputing charges that later turn out to be legitimate, they may investigate more carefully or deny future disputes. If this is your first dispute or you have a clean history, the bank tends to move faster.
You may be asked to provide additional information—a copy of your receipt, proof you returned an item, or documentation that you cancelled a subscription. Respond to any requests from Bank of America within the timeframe they give you, usually 10 days. Delays on your end can extend the investigation.
Temporary credits and final outcomes
A temporary credit is not the same as winning your dispute. Bank of America places it in your account to protect you while they investigate, but if the merchant proves the charge was valid, the bank will remove the credit and you will owe the full amount again. The bank will notify you in writing of the final outcome.
If Bank of America rules in your favor, the temporary credit becomes permanent and the charge is removed from your account. You will receive written confirmation. If the bank rules against you, they will explain why in the letter and tell you when the temporary credit will be removed.
In rare cases, the merchant does not respond to the bank's inquiry within the time allowed. If that happens, Bank of America may rule in your favor by default and make the temporary credit permanent. This is not common, but it does occur when merchants ignore dispute requests.
What to do if Bank of America denies your dispute
If the bank investigates and decides the charge was legitimate, you can ask them to reconsider. Write a letter to Bank of America explaining why you believe the charge is wrong, and include any new evidence—receipts, emails, proof of return, cancellation confirmation, or communication with the merchant. Send this to the address Bank of America provides in their denial letter.
You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if you believe Bank of America did not investigate fairly. The CFPB does not overturn the bank's decision, but they will review whether the bank followed the law. You can file a complaint at consumerfinance.gov or by calling 1-855-411-2372. The CFPB forwards your complaint to Bank of America, and the bank must respond within 15 days.
If the charge was made with a credit card (not a debit card), you also have chargeback rights through your credit card network—Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. These are separate from Bank of America's dispute process. Contact your credit card issuer to learn whether you can file a chargeback in addition to or instead of a dispute.
Disputes on debit cards versus credit cards
Bank of America treats debit card disputes and credit card disputes differently under federal law. With a debit card, you have 60 days to report an unauthorized charge, and the bank must investigate. If you report within two business days of noticing the fraud, your liability is capped at $50. If you wait longer than two business days but report within 60 days, you could be liable for up to $500 of unauthorized charges.
With a credit card, the rules are more protective. You have 60 days to dispute a charge, and your liability for unauthorized charges is capped at $50 regardless of when you report it. Credit card disputes also tend to be resolved faster because credit card networks have stricter timelines for merchants to respond.
If you are unsure whether you used a debit or credit card, check your Bank of America statement or your physical card. Debit cards draw directly from your checking account; credit cards are a line of credit you pay back monthly.
How to prevent disputes in the first place
Monitor your Bank of America account regularly—at least weekly. Set up transaction alerts in your mobile app so you are notified of charges over a certain amount. This lets you catch fraud or errors quickly, before the 60-day window closes.
Keep receipts from in-person purchases and save confirmation emails from online purchases. If a charge appears on your statement that does not match your receipt, you have proof to show Bank of America. For subscriptions, keep a list of what you are subscribed to and when the charges should appear; unexpected charges are easier to spot this way.
If you lose your Bank of America card or suspect it has been compromised, call the number on the back of your card immediately to report it. The bank can freeze the card and issue a replacement within one to two business days. Reporting a lost or stolen card before fraudulent charges appear is far simpler than disputing charges after the fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dispute a charge after 60 days?
Bank of America is not required to investigate charges reported after 60 days, but you can still contact them and ask. Some banks will look into very old charges if you have a good reason—for example, if you did not receive a statement on time. Call the number on your card and explain the situation; the bank may make an exception.
Will I get my money back while Bank of America investigates?
Usually yes. Bank of America typically places a temporary credit in your account within one to three business days of filing a dispute. This credit protects your money during the investigation, but it can be reversed if the merchant proves the charge was valid. The temporary credit is not a may provide you will keep the money.
How long does a dispute investigation take?
Most investigations take 10 business days, but Bank of America can take up to 45 business days if they need more time to contact the merchant or gather information. You will receive written notice of the outcome. If the bank needs additional information from you, respond quickly to avoid delays.
What if the merchant says I authorized the charge?
If you did not authorize it, tell Bank of America that in your dispute. The bank will ask the merchant for proof of your authorization—a signed receipt, an email confirmation you sent, or a recorded phone call. If the merchant cannot provide proof, the bank may rule in your favor. If they can, the bank will likely deny your dispute.
Can I dispute a charge I authorized but later regretted?
No. Disputes are for unauthorized charges, billing errors, and items you never received. If you authorized a purchase but changed your mind, that is a refund request, not a dispute. Contact the merchant directly and ask for a refund. If they refuse, you can ask Bank of America to help, but the bank may not overturn an authorized charge you simply regret.