How do you dispute a credit card charge?

Start with the merchant, since most issuers expect a good-faith attempt and many problems resolve faster that way. If that fails, file a dispute with your card issuer through their app, website, or phone, and follow up in writing to the address they designate for billing inquiries rather than the payment address. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you generally have 60 days from the date the statement containing the error was sent. The issuer must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles, not exceeding 90 days, and you may withhold payment on the disputed amount while it is investigated without it being reported as delinquent.

Two distinctions matter. A billing error dispute covers unauthorized charges, wrong amounts, charges for goods never delivered, and mathematical errors. A separate right covers quality claims for goods or services that were unsatisfactory, which requires a good-faith attempt to resolve with the merchant and, technically, that the purchase exceeded 50 dollars and occurred in your home state or within 100 miles, though issuers frequently waive those conditions. Debit cards are governed by different and weaker rules under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, where your liability depends heavily on how quickly you report, which is the main practical argument for using a credit card for online and travel purchases. Keep records of every contact, and if the issuer rules against you, you can escalate to the CFPB, which forwards complaints and requires a response.