Please note - “Chargebacks” are only available for credit card transactions.

A “chargeback” is the name given for when your financial institution sends back a debit on your account to the merchant's bank. Your financial institution, the card operating scheme (for example, Visa) and the merchant all enter into an agreement with rules governing the credit card scheme. Under those rules, the financial institution can in certain circumstances chargeback a transaction within a specific timeframe. Some examples of those circumstances are:

• When the transaction was unauthorised
• The merchant did not deliver the goods or services to you
• The goods or services were not as described.

The timeframe and the rules vary depending on the credit card scheme. It is important to remember that your financial institution has the right to chargeback, not you. Despite this, financial institutions are often willing to chargeback a transaction when you dispute it as long as you let them know straight away (so the chargeback can be made by the financial institution within the required timeframe under the rules).

You must dispute the transaction before the due date for payment of the credit card statement on which the disputed transaction appears. You may be able to dispute the transaction up to 90 days after it occurred but it is strongly recommended you do it as soon as possible in case a dispute arises as you may lose some of your rights after the due date for payment.

Chargeback's are useful in situations, for example, where the transaction was authorised but is now disputed because the goods or services were not delivered. For more information about a transaction that was never authorised, see Fact Sheet: Unauthorised Transactions .

How to request a chargeback

As you only have a certain amount of time to request a chargeback you should request it in writing as soon as possible.

Write to your financial institution (that issued your credit card) stating that:

• You are requesting a chargeback of a transaction on your credit card
• Give details of the transaction including the amount and the date
• Give the reasons why you wish to chargeback the transaction.

Keep a copy of the letter. A sample letter for you to use is available at Sample Letter: To financial Institution Requesting a Chargeback .

What if the financial institution refuses to chargeback the transaction?

If the financial institution refuses to chargeback the transaction, you should make a complaint to an external dispute resolution scheme. The relevant schemes are:

• Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman (Ph 1800 337 444 Toll Free). Also see Fact Sheet: Have a dispute you can't resolve with your credit provider?
• Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre (Ph 1800 624 241 Toll Free). Also see Fact Sheet: Have a dispute you can't resolve with your credit provider?
• Financial Co-operative Dispute Resolution Scheme Ph 1300 139 220 or visit www.fcdrs.org.au for some credit unions and building societies. If the consumer's financial institution is not a member of an external dispute resolution scheme, the consumer may be able to make a complaint to the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy Tribunal (Phone: 1300 135 399 or visit www.cttt.nsw.gov.au). Seek legal advice on how to do this.

You should always lodge your complaint as soon as it is clear that you cannot resolve your dispute with your financial institution as time limits apply to your right to complain.

If you are unsure which scheme your financial institution belongs to, ask the complaints staff. The schemes above will also usually be able to point you in the right direction.