TL;DR
You have 60 days from the date your bank statement was mailed to dispute an unauthorized credit card charge under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), and 60 days from the statement date for debit card charges under Regulation E. Call your bank's fraud line immediately, follow up in writing, and you are typically liable for no more than $50 on credit card fraud (most banks waive this) and $0 on debit card fraud reported within 2 business days. For bank fees (overdraft, NSF, maintenance), call customer service and request a waiver — most are reversed on first request.
What Counts as an Unauthorized Charge?
An unauthorized charge is any transaction posted to your account that you did not authorize, did not receive goods or services for, or that does not match what you agreed to pay. The Federal Trade Commission defines unauthorized use as a charge made by someone without your permission and from which you receive no benefit.
This is different from a billing dispute, where you authorized the charge but the merchant overcharged you, never delivered the product, or otherwise breached the agreement. Both are disputable, but they follow different processes.
Step 1: Confirm the Charge Is Actually Unauthorized
Before disputing, verify the charge against your records using these specific checks:
1. Search your email inbox for the exact dollar amount (e.g., "$47.99")
2. Check your subscription dashboards in iOS Settings, Google Play, and any direct merchant accounts
3. Use a free tool like [TransactionLookup.com](/) to identify confusing billing descriptors
4. Ask any authorized users on the account if they made the purchase
About 80% of "unauthorized" charges turn out to be forgotten subscriptions, family member purchases, or merchants billing under unfamiliar names. Confirming first saves you time and prevents wasting goodwill with your bank.
Step 2: Call Your Bank's Fraud Line Immediately
Once you confirm the charge is unauthorized, call the fraud line on the back of your card. Most major banks staff these lines 24/7. Have ready:
- The exact charge amount and date
- The billing descriptor as shown on your statement
- The card number ending in (last 4 digits)
- Your account number
The bank will issue you a new card number, freeze the disputed transaction, and open a formal dispute case. Ask for the case or claim number — you will need it for follow-up.
Step 3: File the Dispute in Writing
Verbal disputes alone do not preserve all your legal rights. The FCBA requires written notice within 60 days for credit cards. Send a dispute letter via certified mail (return receipt requested) to the address listed on your statement for "Billing Inquiries" — this is a different address than where you send payments.
Your dispute letter should include:
- Your name, address, and account number
- The dollar amount and date of the disputed charge
- The billing descriptor exactly as shown
- The reason: "I did not authorize this charge"
- A request for written confirmation of the dispute
Most banks now accept written disputes via online banking message centers, which provide an electronic timestamp equivalent to certified mail.
Step 4: Provisional Credit Timeline
For credit card disputes under FCBA, the bank must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles (no more than 90 days). During the investigation, you do not have to pay the disputed amount and the bank cannot report it as delinquent.
For debit card disputes under Regulation E, the bank typically issues provisional credit within 10 business days while it investigates. Investigation can take up to 45 days (90 days for new accounts or point-of-sale debit transactions).
If the bank determines the charge was unauthorized, the credit becomes permanent. If it determines the charge was valid, the credit is reversed.
Step 5: What to Do If the Bank Denies the Dispute
Banks deny disputes when they conclude the charge was authorized — for example, because a chip-and-PIN transaction was made with your card and PIN, or the merchant provides delivery confirmation to your address.
If you believe the denial is wrong:
1. Request all evidence the bank used to make the decision (you have a legal right to this)
2. Provide rebuttal evidence: police report, statements from authorized users, proof of cardholder location, etc.
3. File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at [consumerfinance.gov/complaint](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/)
4. File a complaint with your state attorney general
5. Consider small claims court for amounts under your state's limit (typically $5,000-$10,000)
The CFPB complaint process is the most effective informal escalation. Banks must respond to CFPB complaints within 15 days and consumers report a higher dispute reversal rate after CFPB involvement.
Liability Limits Under Federal Law
Federal law caps your liability for unauthorized charges:
| Card type | Reported within 2 business days | Reported within 60 days | Reported after 60 days |
|-----------|--------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------|
| Credit card (FCBA) | $50 max | $50 max | $50 max |
| Debit card (Regulation E) | $0 | $500 max | Unlimited |
Most major banks waive even the $50 credit card liability as part of their "zero liability" policies. Debit card protections are weaker, which is why financial advisors generally recommend credit cards for online purchases and travel.
Special Cases
Recurring subscription charges: If you signed up for a free trial that converted to paid subscription you did not realize, you may dispute as "billing dispute" rather than "unauthorized." Banks will typically credit the most recent charge but require you to cancel directly with the merchant going forward.
ACH and Zelle transactions: Bank transfers via ACH or Zelle have far weaker fraud protections than card payments. If you sent money to a scammer via Zelle, federal law generally does not require the bank to refund you. Always treat Zelle and other instant transfer methods like cash.
Charges after returning a product: If you returned merchandise but the credit never appeared, the proper dispute reason is "credit not received" not "unauthorized charge." Provide return tracking proof.
Charges from a lost or stolen card: Report immediately by phone, then in writing. The 2-business-day liability rule for debit cards applies from the date you discovered the loss.
How to Dispute Unauthorized Bank Fees
Bank fees — overdraft fees, NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees, monthly maintenance fees, wire transfer fees — are governed by different rules than credit card fraud. You did not make a fraudulent purchase; the bank itself charged you. Here is how to dispute them.
Identify the fee type. Check your account agreement. Banks are only permitted to charge fees that are explicitly disclosed. The most commonly disputed fees include:
- Overdraft fees: Typically $25–$35 per transaction. Since 2022, many major banks have eliminated or reduced these significantly.
- NSF fees: Charged when a payment is returned unpaid. Often waivable on first offense.
- Monthly maintenance fees: Should be waivable if you meet minimum balance or direct deposit requirements — check your account tier.
- Wire transfer fees: Charged per outgoing wire. Often negotiable for long-standing customers.
Call customer service and ask for a fee waiver. For most first-time fee occurrences, a phone call is sufficient. Banks waive fees for good customers regularly — simply ask: "Can you waive this fee as a one-time courtesy?" Keep a record of who you spoke with and when.
Dispute in writing if the fee was assessed in error. If the bank charged a fee you were not eligible for under your account agreement (for example, a maintenance fee you should be exempt from due to your balance tier), that is a billing error. Submit a written dispute citing the specific account agreement terms that exempt you.
File a CFPB complaint for improperly assessed fees. If the bank refuses to reverse a fee it had no contractual right to charge, file a complaint at [consumerfinance.gov/complaint](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/). Banks must respond to CFPB complaints within 15 days and regulators track fee complaint patterns. You can also review the FTC's guidance on [unauthorized charges and billing rights](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0219-disputing-credit-card-charges) for additional context.
Unlike unauthorized card fraud, there is no strict federal deadline on disputing fees your bank assessed — but acting promptly improves outcomes.
When to Skip Bank Dispute and Go Straight to the Merchant
For amounts under $50 from legitimate-but-confusing merchants, contacting the merchant directly is often faster than a bank dispute. Disputes can take weeks; a phone call to customer service often produces a refund within minutes. Use the bank dispute process when:
- The merchant refuses to refund
- You cannot reach the merchant
- The charge is clearly fraudulent
- The amount is significant (typically over $50)
Frequently Asked Questions
### How long do I have to dispute an unauthorized credit card charge?
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have 60 days from the date the bank mailed (or made electronically available) the statement containing the disputed charge. After 60 days, your federal protections expire, but most banks still accept disputes within 120 days as a courtesy.
### Will disputing a charge hurt my credit score?
No. Federal law prohibits the bank from reporting the disputed amount as delinquent during the investigation. After the dispute resolves, the outcome itself does not affect your credit score either way.
### Can I dispute a charge after I paid the bill?
Yes. The 60-day FCBA window applies to filing the dispute, not to whether you paid. If you already paid the bill containing a fraudulent charge, you can still dispute and receive a credit for the disputed amount.
### What if I do not recognize the merchant on the descriptor?
Use a tool like [TransactionLookup.com](/) to identify the merchant before disputing. About 80% of "unrecognized" charges are legitimate purchases under unfamiliar billing names. Disputing legitimate charges can result in your account being closed for misuse.
### Can I dispute overdraft or NSF fees?
Yes. Call your bank and ask for a fee waiver — most banks will reverse a first-time overdraft or NSF fee as a one-time courtesy. If the fee was charged in error (for example, a maintenance fee you should be exempt from under your account agreement), submit a written dispute citing the specific terms that exempt you. If the bank refuses, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
### What is the difference between a chargeback and a dispute?
A "dispute" is the consumer-facing term for filing a claim with your bank. A "chargeback" is the back-end process by which your bank reverses funds from the merchant's bank. From your perspective, you file a dispute; the bank then initiates a chargeback if it agrees with you.