How to Dispute Credit Card Transactions with Chargebacks

What Is A Chargeback & How to Dispute Credit Card Transactions

Have you ever checked your credit card statement and found that you have made suspicious transactions? Perhaps you paid for an item you never received, or you suspect someone used your card without permission. These situations can be stressful, but fear not!  

Bank offers you a valuable tool called chargeback to help you combat these issues. In this blog, we will understand what chargebacks are, what they do, when to use it, and how to handle the process of disputing credit card transactions. By the end, you will feel confident that you will be protected from unauthorised charges and payment errors.

What is a chargeback?  

A chargeback is a process where you, the cardholder, ask your bank to reverse a credit card transaction and get your money back. It is your safety net when unexpected charges appear on your credit card statement. It is essentially a dispute resolution mechanism for situations where you believe a charge is incorrect or unauthorised. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:

  • Unauthorised spending: Someone may have used your card without your permission.
  • Billing error: You were billed incorrectly.
  • Goods or services not provided: You paid for something you never received.
  • Faulty or damaged goods: The goods you received are different from what you ordered.
  • Refund not received: You returned an item or canceled a service but never got your money back.

How does a chargeback work?

While surprise charges on your credit card can be a concern, there is no need to worry. Bank offers a helpful option called chargeback to get your money back. But how exactly does this process work? By following these steps, you can identify the suspicious charges to ascertain the final decision:

  • Identifying the issue: It all starts with awareness. Verify your credit card statement. When you see an issue that you do not see or believe is incorrect, that is your cue to initiate a chargeback.  
  • Contact bank: Once you have identified the issue, the next step is to contact customer care. We will guide you through the chargeback process and gather information about the disputed transaction. Be prepared to provide information such as the date, amount, and name of the merchant who made the suspicious charge.
  • Review time: Then, bank will take action promptly and we will investigate the matter and may request supporting evidence from you. This could include a charge for the purchase, any communication you had with the merchant about the transaction (such as an email), or even a police report if fraud is suspected. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of getting a refund.
  • Temporary credit (Optional): If your claim seems valid based on preliminary investigation, bank may offer temporary courtesy. The disputed funds may be credited to your account while their investigation continues. This provides some immediate relief as all the facts are gathered.
  • Merchant gets notification: Then, bank notifies the merchant’s bank about the recovery. The disputed amount will be refunded from the merchant’s account, assuming the merchant does not immediately issue a refund.
  • Merchant answer: The merchant has the right to resist. They can review the evidence, give their side of the story, and choose to accept or challenge the refund.
  • Decision deadline: Once all evidence is gathered from both sides, bank carefully reviews everything. They will then make a final decision on whether to approve the refund, which means you will get your money back permanently, or reverse it, in which case the disputed funds are charged back.

Disputing a chargeback

If bank rejects your initial chargeback request, you have the right to dispute their decision. Here you can follow these steps to dispute a credit card transactions:

  • Gather evidence: The key to a successful argument is hard evidence. You can gather those documentation that supports your claims. This could include an email or message to the merchant regarding the transaction, confirmation of a return, or even a police report if fraud is suspected. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.
  • Respond to bank: You can write a concise and factual statement stating the case and why the original charge was warranted. Do not forget to include all the evidence you carefully gathered in the first step and send this information to bank for review.?
  • Awaiting decision: Bank will re-evaluate your case based on the new information you provide. Waiting for a final decision can be frustrating, but remember that bank will need time to re-evaluate your case with additional information. Be patient and trust that a thorough investigation will be carried out.

Important tips for using Chargebacks

While chargebacks are a powerful tool to combat unfair or unauthorised credit card transactions on your credit card, using them responsibly is key. Here are some important tips to remember while using chargebacks:

  • Act Quickly: Do not hesitate as there is usually a time limit to start charging, usually after 60 days from the date of the transaction. Check bank's website for their exact timings.
  • Gather Evidence: The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of recovery. Keep receipts, emails, and any other related documents.
  • Contact the Merchant First: Disputes can often be resolved directly with the merchant before resorting to a chargeback. You should try to contact them to see if they can give a refund or fix the issue.
  • Use Chargebacks Wisely: Chargebacks are a powerful tool, but do not overuse them. Underpaying or overpaying can negatively affect your credit score.

Wrapping up:

Understanding chargebacks empowers you as a credit card user. By knowing your rights and following the proper procedures, you can protect yourself from fraudulent charges and billing errors.

If you face any issues with your credit card transactions, do not hesitate to contact bank customer care for assistance. We are here to help you navigate the chargeback process and make sure it is settled properly.

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This Article is for information purposes only. The views expressed in this Article do not necessarily constitute the views of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) or its employees. Bank makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the material and articles contained in this Newsletter. The information contained in this Article is sourced from empanelled external experts for the benefit of the customers and it does not constitute legal advice from Kotak. Kotak, its directors, employees, and contributors shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss resulting from or arising due to reliance on or use of any information contained herein.

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