The timeline depends on what you're disputing and who you're disputing it with

A credit card dispute takes between 30 and 90 days to resolve, depending on whether your card issuer or the merchant's bank handles it. The Federal Trade Commission sets a 60-day window for your issuer to investigate and respond, but most disputes close faster if the merchant agrees quickly or the issuer finds the charge was unauthorized. If the merchant contests your dispute, the process stretches toward the full 90 days.

The clock starts the moment you contact your card issuer and report the problem — not when you first noticed the charge. Your issuer must acknowledge your dispute in writing within 30 days, and they must finish their investigation and send you a decision within 60 days of receiving your report. That 60-day period is a legal floor, not a target; many disputes resolve in two to three weeks if the merchant doesn't fight back.

Key Takeaways

  • Your card issuer has 60 days from the date you report the dispute to investigate and send you a written decision.
  • Most disputes close in two to four weeks if the merchant agrees the charge was wrong or unauthorized, but contested disputes can take the full 90 days.
  • Your issuer must remove the charge from your account temporarily while they investigate, even if they ultimately side with the merchant.
  • You need to report the dispute within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement, or you lose the right to dispute it.
  • The merchant's response time — or refusal to respond — is the biggest factor in how long your dispute actually takes.

What happens in the first 30 days

When you call or write your card issuer to report a dispute, they must send you a written acknowledgment within 30 days. This letter confirms they received your report, tells you what they're investigating, and explains the next steps. During this period, your issuer is also required to remove the disputed charge from your account temporarily — you won't owe that money while they look into it, and it won't count against your credit limit.

Your issuer will ask you to provide documentation: a copy of the transaction receipt, your statement, and a written explanation of why you're disputing the charge. If you're claiming the charge was unauthorized (you didn't make it), they need to know that. If you're claiming the merchant didn't deliver what they promised, describe what was supposed to happen and what actually happened instead. The more detail you provide in this first 30 days, the faster they can move through their investigation.

Days 30 to 60: The investigation period

Your issuer now contacts the merchant's bank and requests their records of the transaction. The merchant's bank has to respond within a set timeframe — usually 10 to 15 business days — with documentation showing whether the merchant processed the charge correctly. This is where most delays happen: if the merchant's bank is slow to respond, or if the merchant disputes your claim, the investigation stretches longer.

If the merchant provides proof that you authorized the charge and received what you paid for, your issuer will likely side with them and put the charge back on your account. If the merchant doesn't respond at all, or if their documentation is incomplete, your issuer will usually rule in your favor and remove the charge permanently. If you claimed the charge was unauthorized and the merchant has no record of your signature or PIN, the issuer will almost certainly remove it.

Days 60 to 90: When the merchant contests your dispute

If the merchant disagrees with your dispute and submits evidence supporting their side, the process enters a second phase. Your issuer will send you copies of what the merchant submitted and give you a chance to respond with additional evidence. This back-and-forth can add another 15 to 30 days to the timeline. You might submit photos showing the item arrived damaged, or email correspondence with the merchant promising a refund they never sent.

During this extended period, the temporary credit your issuer gave you stays in your account. You're not paying interest on the disputed amount, and it's not affecting your credit score. The issuer must reach a final decision and notify you in writing by day 90. After that, the charge either stays off your account permanently or goes back on, depending on who won the dispute.

Why some disputes close in two weeks and others take three months

The merchant's response is the single biggest variable. If the merchant's bank receives the dispute request and immediately confirms that the charge was fraudulent or that the merchant agrees to reverse it, your issuer can close the case in as little as 10 to 14 days. Some merchants have automated systems that respond to disputes quickly; others require manual review and take longer.

Unauthorized charges typically close faster than merchandise disputes. If you report a charge you didn't make, your issuer can often confirm within days that the transaction didn't match your usual pattern or location. Disputes over whether a merchant delivered what they promised require more investigation — your issuer has to evaluate whether the merchant's description of what they sent matches what you received, which is harder to prove.

If the merchant never responds to the dispute request, your issuer will rule in your favor by default, usually by day 45 to 50. If the merchant responds with documentation that looks legitimate, the case can drag toward day 90 while your issuer weighs the evidence.

What you need to do to avoid delays

Report the dispute as soon as you notice the charge — within 60 days of when it appeared on your statement. After 60 days, your card issuer is no longer required to investigate. Call your issuer's dispute line or log into your online account; most card issuers have a dedicated dispute portal where you can upload documents and track progress.

Gather your evidence before you report: your statement showing the charge, any emails or receipts from the merchant, photos of damaged items, or proof that the item never arrived. Write a clear, factual explanation of what went wrong. Don't exaggerate or make claims you can't support — your issuer will compare your story to the merchant's, and inconsistencies can slow things down.

After you report the dispute, check your mail for the issuer's written acknowledgment. If you don't receive it within 30 days, follow up. Keep records of every communication with your issuer, including dates, names of representatives, and confirmation numbers. If the dispute drags past 60 days without a decision, contact your issuer again and ask for a status update.

What happens after the dispute closes

Once your issuer sends you their final decision, that's the end of the dispute process. If they ruled in your favor, the charge is removed and you owe nothing. If they ruled against you, the charge goes back on your account and you're responsible for paying it. You can't dispute the same charge twice, but you can dispute it again if you have new evidence the issuer didn't see the first time.

If you disagree with your issuer's decision, you have limited options. You can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will forward it to your issuer for review. You can also pursue the merchant directly through small claims court if the amount is large enough. But the card issuer's decision is final for the chargeback process itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the card while my dispute is being investigated?

Yes. The disputed charge is removed from your balance temporarily, so your available credit increases by that amount. You can use the card normally for new purchases. If your issuer eventually rules against you, the charge goes back on and you'll owe it, but you can still use the card to pay it off.

Will a dispute hurt my credit score?

No. Disputing a charge doesn't appear on your credit report and doesn't affect your score. Your issuer removes the charge temporarily while they investigate, so it's not counted as a balance you owe. If the issuer rules against you and puts the charge back, that's when it might affect your score if you don't pay it.

What if the merchant goes out of business during my dispute?

Your issuer will still investigate and make a decision based on the documentation available. If the merchant is no longer in business and can't respond to the dispute request, your issuer will usually rule in your favor by default. The temporary credit becomes permanent.

Do I have to pay the disputed charge while the investigation is happening?

No. Your issuer removes the charge from your account while they investigate, so you don't owe it during that time. You're not required to pay it, and it won't be reported as a late payment. If the issuer rules against you, you'll then owe the charge and should pay it to avoid interest and late fees.

Can I dispute a charge more than 60 days after it appears on my statement?

No. Your card issuer is only required to investigate disputes reported within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement. After 60 days, you lose the right to dispute through your issuer. You can still contact the merchant directly to ask for a refund, but you can't force a chargeback.