CREDIT CARD DISPUTE LETTER TEMPLATE FOR UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES
If you have an unauthorized charge on your credit card or bank account, you need a dispute letter that is clear, specific, and supported by evidence. This page gives you a basic template, the details to include, and the mistakes that can weaken a dispute.
This is informational only, not legal or financial advice. Bank rules, deadlines, and investigation timelines vary by institution, card network, and country.
Do not submit a vague dispute. Banks can reject or delay disputes when the claim only says “I did not make this charge.” You need the date, amount, merchant name, evidence, and a clear explanation of what you already checked.
Need Help Choosing the Right Response?
If the charge is unclear, recurring, or merchant-related, identify the source before you dispute. The $19 Charge Resolution Action Pack is a human-reviewed, personalized action plan for one unresolved charge.
Open Charge Resolution Action Pack - $19No bank login · Guidance only · You choose the final action
What EveryDaySolver Provides
EveryDaySolver provides educational guidance, checklists, and documentation structure for people handling unknown or unauthorized charges. It does not access your bank account, contact your bank, decide whether you should dispute, or guarantee a refund. You remain responsible for verifying account records, merchant details, and dispute decisions.
What a Dispute Letter Must Include
- Your full name
- Your account or card identifier, such as the last four digits
- The date the charge appeared
- The exact amount
- The merchant name as it appears on the statement
- A clear statement that you did not authorize or do not recognize the charge
- What you already checked, such as merchant contact, account history, or cancellation attempts
- What you are requesting, such as reversal, refund review, or provisional credit where applicable
- Your signature and date if submitting by mail
Free Credit Card Dispute Letter Framework
Use this basic framework only if the charge is straightforward and you can fill in all details accurately. It is a free educational structure that you can adapt to your circumstances.
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Date] [Bank Name] Dispute Department [Bank Address, if mailing] Subject: Unauthorized Charge Review — Account ending in [XXXX] Charge details: - Date posted: [date charge posted] - Amount: $[amount] - Merchant: [merchant name as shown on statement] Use the body of your letter to explain: - why you do not recognize or did not authorize the charge - what records, merchant accounts, receipts, or subscriptions you checked - whether you contacted the merchant or attempted cancellation - what evidence you are attaching - what action you are asking the bank to review Close with your name, contact information, signature if mailing, and the date.
What Evidence To Attach
- Screenshot of the charge on your statement
- Email receipts or lack of receipts from the merchant
- Cancellation confirmations
- Support messages with the merchant
- Screenshots showing account activity
- Notes showing when you contacted the merchant or bank
- Any documents proving the amount, date, or merchant is wrong
How To Submit the Letter
- Online: many banks let you dispute a charge from the transaction details in your app or online account
- Phone: call the number on the back of your card and ask for the dispute process
- Mail: if your bank requires written disputes, use the address listed in your card agreement or bank documents
- Keep copies of everything you submit
- Record the date you submitted the dispute
Dispute rules and deadlines vary. Check your bank’s terms and act quickly.
Important: Credit Card Billing Error Notices
If you're disputing a billing error on a U.S. credit card, contact your card issuer promptly.
To preserve your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you generally need to send a written billing error notice within 60 days after the issuer sent the first statement showing the error.
Use the billing inquiries address provided on your statement or in your card agreement. This may be different from the address used for payments.
Include your name, account identification, the disputed amount, and a clear explanation of the error. Keep a copy of your notice and supporting records.
These written-notice requirements do not automatically apply to debit card disputes, which are governed by different rules.
Official CFPB guidance: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-cards/how-to-fix-mistakes-in-your-credit-card-bill/
Common Mistakes That Weaken Disputes
- Using vague wording without the date, amount, and merchant name
- Waiting too long before contacting the bank
- Filing before checking account history or merchant records
- Submitting no evidence
- Sending the dispute to the wrong channel
- Disputing a recognizable subscription without first checking cancellation status
- Making claims you cannot support with documentation
When To Use a Paid Option Instead
The free framework is enough for orientation, not for every charge. Choose the $19 Charge Resolution Action Pack when one unresolved charge needs a human-reviewed, personalized action plan for the next step. Depending on the case, the plan may include guidance about documentation or wording, but it does not guarantee an outcome or make a dispute decision for you.
- The merchant refused to help
- The charge keeps coming back
- The descriptor is confusing or incomplete
- You already cancelled but were charged again
- You need to identify the charge before deciding what to send
- You need a cleaner response path instead of guessing from a blank framework
If one unresolved charge needs personalized next-step guidance, use the $19 Charge Resolution Action Pack below.
FAQ
Is this credit card dispute letter template free?
Yes. The basic template on this page is free to copy and adapt. The $19 Charge Resolution Action Pack is a human-reviewed, personalized action plan for one unresolved charge.
How long do I have to dispute a charge?
Dispute deadlines vary by bank, card network, account type, and country. Many banks use deadlines based on the statement date, so you should check your bank’s rules and act quickly.
What if the merchant refuses to refund me?
Document the refusal, save messages or emails, and include that evidence when you contact your bank. A written refusal can help show that you attempted to resolve the issue first.
Can I dispute a charge after I already paid the statement?
In many cases, paying the statement does not automatically remove your ability to dispute a charge, but rules vary. Check your bank’s dispute policy and submit the claim as soon as possible.
What happens after I submit a dispute letter?
Your bank will review the claim and may ask for more information. Timelines vary depending on the bank, card network, and dispute type, so keep copies of all evidence and communication.
Choose the Right Charge Response
The $19 Charge Resolution Action Pack is a human-reviewed, personalized action plan for one unresolved charge. It is delivered after review of complete intake, with a target delivery of approximately 12 hours.
