How long do I have to raise a chargeback?

Card scheme rules generally allow 120 days from the transaction or from the date the goods or services were due, with an overall limit of around 540 days.

Is a chargeback the same as Section 75?

No. A chargeback is a card scheme process available on debit and credit cards. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes a UK credit card issuer jointly liable with the retailer for purchases between £100 and £30,000.

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Free chargeback request letter template

Send this to your card issuer's disputes team when a merchant will not refund you. Chargebacks have strict time limits — usually 120 days from the transaction or from when you expected delivery.

Who this letter is for

Ask your bank or card issuer to reverse a card payment. It is written in the formal register companies, landlords and card issuers expect, and it records the facts, the remedy sought and the deadline in a way that supports any later escalation to an ombudsman or the courts.

How to use this template

1Identify the transaction date, merchant name and exact amount on your statement.
2Download the template and name the dispute category that applies to you.
3Set out what you were promised, what you received and what you did to resolve it.
4Attach the merchant correspondence and your cancellation or order evidence.
5Send it to your card issuer's disputes team and ask for a written decision.

What to include before you send it

Name the exact reason code category: goods not received, not as described, or cancelled recurring payment.
Attach your attempts to resolve it with the merchant first.
Send within 120 days of the transaction or expected delivery date.

The rights you are relying on

Visa and Mastercard chargeback rules, US Regulation E / Fair Credit Billing Act rights, and UK Section 75 protection for credit-card purchases over £100.

The letter template

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Email address] · [Phone number]
Card ending: [LAST 4 DIGITS]
[Date]

Disputes Team
[Bank / card issuer name]

Re: Chargeback request — [MERCHANT], [AMOUNT] on [DATE]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am requesting a chargeback for the following transaction:

Merchant: [MERCHANT NAME]
Date: [DATE]
Amount: [AMOUNT]
Card ending: [LAST 4 DIGITS]

Reason: [the goods or services were never received / the goods were not as described / the payment was a cancelled recurring subscription / the transaction was not authorised by me].

I attempted to resolve this directly with the merchant on [DATES] by [email / phone / their online form]. Copies of that correspondence are attached. The merchant has [refused to refund me / not responded].

Please raise a chargeback for the full amount of [AMOUNT] and confirm in writing within 14 days that the dispute has been opened, together with your reference number. [If applicable: I also ask you to consider this a claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, as the purchase was made on credit and exceeded £100.]

Yours faithfully,

[Your name]

Enclosures: transaction record, correspondence with the merchant, order confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to raise a chargeback?: Card scheme rules generally allow 120 days from the transaction or from the date the goods or services were due, with an overall limit of around 540 days.
Is a chargeback the same as Section 75?: No. A chargeback is a card scheme process available on debit and credit cards. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes a UK credit card issuer jointly liable with the retailer for purchases between £100 and £30,000.

Have it drafted around your case

Keep the free template, or for £0.59 our drafting desk prepares it with your names, dates, sums and evidence — with an email version, a follow-up notice and a step-by-step plan.

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Or read more about our personalised chargeback letter.

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