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Section 75, Chargeback and Your Other Credit Card Protections in the UK

By PointsExplainedLast reviewed

Try the seller first

The Ombudsman says that for a chargeback you often need to show you have tried to resolve the problem with the supplier. Keep a record of what you asked for and when.

Ask your card provider to consider both routes

Explain the problem and ask the provider to consider both chargeback and section 75. Chargeback time limits are short, so do this promptly.

Gather your evidence

The Ombudsman suggests receipts or invoices, contracts and terms, marketing material or screenshots, emails, photos or videos, and any independent reports.

Escalate if you need to

If you get no final response within the time limit (eight weeks for most complaints), or you disagree with it, refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months of the final response.

Where this comes from

Sources

The documents this guide relies on. If one has changed since we read it, the document is right and this guide is out of date.

  1. Consumer Credit Act 1974, section 75 (legislation.gov.uk)

    Creditor jointly and severally liable for supplier's misrepresentation or breach of contract; cash price more than £100 and not more than £30,000; applies even if the debtor exceeded the credit limit (s.75(4)).

    legislation.gov.uk · Accessed
  2. Financial Ombudsman Service: Problems with goods and services bought using a debit card or credit (Section 75 and chargeback)

    Cash price matters and part-payment by credit can be covered; s.75A for cash prices over £30,000; exclusions (debit card, charge card, overdraft/general bank loan, cash, credit card cheque, bank transfer); debtor-creditor-supplier requirement; chargeback rules differ by scheme, not compulsory, valid reasons, around 120 days; ATOL/ABTA and travel; evidence list; showing attempts to resolve with supplier; eight-week final response; free service.

    financial-ombudsman.org.uk · Accessed
  3. FCA: Fraudulent payments

    Credit card unauthorised payments: refund can be refused only if you or someone on your behalf authorised it, or the user had the card with your consent; report within 13 months; refund by end of next business day; up to £35 for unreported lost/stolen cards, not payable if the loss was undetectable or the bank was at fault; chargeback available for credit card purchases under £100 and for debit cards.

    fca.org.uk · Accessed
  4. Consumer Credit Act 1974, section 84 (legislation.gov.uk)

    Debtor may be made liable up to £35 (or the credit limit if lower) for misuse of a lost/stolen credit-token before notification; no liability after notice.

    legislation.gov.uk · Accessed
  5. Payment Services Regulations 2017, regulation 77 (legislation.gov.uk)

    Payer liable up to £35 for unauthorised transactions from a lost, stolen or misappropriated instrument; not liable after notification except where fraudulent.

    legislation.gov.uk · Accessed
  6. FCA: Recurring card payments

    Cancel via business or card issuer; issuer must stop payments; request by end of business day before payment due; later payments unauthorised and refunded with related charges; cancelling does not necessarily end the contract; not covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

    fca.org.uk · Accessed
  7. FCA: Buy Now Pay Later

    FCA regulates Deferred Payment Credit from 15 July 2026 where lender and supplier are different businesses; Section 75 available; agreements before 15 July 2026 remain unregulated.

    fca.org.uk · Accessed
  8. Financial Ombudsman Service: Time limits

    Complain to the business within 6 years of the problem or 3 years of awareness; 8 weeks for most complaints and 15 days for fraud and scams, payment services and electronic money; 6 months to refer to the Ombudsman after a final response.

    financial-ombudsman.org.uk · Accessed
Questions

About this guide

Does section 75 cover a £60 purchase?

No. Section 75 applies to single items with a cash price of more than £100 and up to £30,000. For cheaper items, ask your card provider about a chargeback.

I paid a deposit on my credit card and the rest by bank transfer. Am I covered?

The Ombudsman says it is the cash price of the goods or services that matters, so section 75 can apply even if you paid only part of the cost by credit card.
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