The short version
General information, not advice
- Section 75 protects credit card purchases priced over £100, up to £30,000
- Chargeback applies to debit and credit cards
- Section 75 creates joint liability between lender and retailer
- Chargeback is a voluntary card scheme process
- Always raise disputes as soon as possible
See it step by step
When a card purchase goes wrong
Step 1 of 6
Paying by card
When you pay by card, the money goes from you, through your card provider, to the seller. If something then goes wrong (the goods never arrive, they’re faulty, or the company goes bust) you may be able to get your money back through that chain.
The UK has two main protections: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, and chargeback under the card scheme rules. They are not the same, and knowing which applies can decide whether you get your money back.
General information about UK consumer protections, not legal advice.
Rules, limits and time periods from the Switch4Good guide, Section 75 and chargeback explained, checked 4 October 2026. The Consumer Credit Act 1974 (s75) covers an item priced more than £100 and up to £30,000, checked at legislation.gov.uk. The slider skips the exact boundary values. Section 75 has no deadline of its own: the usual limitation periods apply, six years in England and Wales (Limitation Act 1980, s5) and Northern Ireland (Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, art 4) and five in Scotland (Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, s6), checked at legislation.gov.uk on 5 October 2026 and consistent with MoneyHelper. The 120-day chargeback window is from MoneyHelper (checked 5 October 2026), and chargeback is a card scheme rule that varies by scheme, so check with your card provider. The prices on the slider are illustrative. General information about UK consumer protections, not legal advice. Not to scale.
When you pay for goods or services and something goes wrong — the company goes bust, the product never arrives, or it's faulty — you may be able to recover your money.
The UK has two main protections: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, and chargeback under the card scheme rules. They are not the same, and knowing which one applies can decide whether you get your money back.
This guide explains how both work and when to use each.
This is general information about UK consumer protections. It is not legal advice.
What is Section 75?
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes the credit card provider jointly liable with the retailer when there is a breach of contract or misrepresentation. You can claim directly from your card provider if the item cost more than £100 and up to £30,000 (the Act's wording: an item priced at exactly £100 is not covered), you paid using a credit card, and the supplier breached the contract — for example, the goods weren't delivered, were faulty, or the company collapsed. You don't need to pursue the retailer first.
So if you pay £1,500 for a holiday on a credit card and the travel company goes bust, you may claim from your card provider.
When Section 75 does not apply
Section 75 won't help if the purchase is £100 or less, or over £30,000, if you used a debit card, if you used PayPal (in most cases), if the card wasn't directly linked to the supplier, or if you paid through a third-party intermediary that breaks the "debtor-creditor-supplier" chain. A complicated payment arrangement can take you outside the protection.
What is chargeback?
Chargeback is a card scheme process, not a legal right. It applies to debit cards, credit cards and prepaid cards, and the card provider reverses the transaction under Visa, Mastercard or Amex rules. Typical reasons are goods not received, faulty goods, duplicate charges, and cancelled services. MoneyHelper says you have 120 days from the transaction date, or the date you expected the goods or service (for tickets, the event date); it varies by card scheme, to make a chargeback claim. Scheme rules vary, so check with your card provider. Chargeback isn't guaranteed, but it's widely used.
Section 75 versus chargeback
The two differ on the points that matter. Section 75 is a legal protection under the Consumer Credit Act 1974; chargeback is a voluntary card scheme rule operated by Visa, Mastercard and Amex. Section 75 applies to credit cards only, while chargeback covers both debit and credit cards depending on the provider. Section 75 is limited to items costing more than £100 and up to £30,000, even where only part of the price went on the credit card, whereas chargeback has no minimum and can apply to small transactions.
The time limits are different too. Section 75 has no deadline of its own, but the usual time limit for legal claims applies: six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, five in Scotland (Limitation Act 1980, section 5; Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, section 6; MoneyHelper). Chargeback is usually 120 days from the transaction date, or the date you expected the goods or service (for tickets, the event date); it varies by card scheme (MoneyHelper), so check with your card provider. Under Section 75 the credit card provider is jointly liable with the retailer, while chargeback simply has the bank reverse the transaction while it investigates, without that automatic legal liability. Section 75 is the stronger protection because it's written into UK law, but it is narrower; chargeback is useful but rests on card scheme rules and bank discretion.
How to make a claim
Contact your card provider's disputes team, explain the breach of contract, and provide your evidence: receipts, correspondence, proof of non-delivery, and a bankruptcy notice if one applies. If you're refused, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Escalation and support
Financial Ombudsman Service Website: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk Phone: 0800 023 4567 Email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Citizens Advice Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk Phone: 0808 223 1133
Key takeaways
- Section 75 offers strong protection for credit card purchases
- Chargeback covers debit cards but is not a legal right
- Always keep receipts and written evidence
- Act quickly to avoid time limits
- Contact your provider promptly
- Escalate unresolved disputes to the Ombudsman
Common questions
Does Section 75 cover part payments?
Yes. Even a £1 deposit on a credit card can trigger protection if the total purchase is over £100.
Can I use chargeback if I paid by debit card?
Yes. Debit cards rely on chargeback rather than Section 75.
How long do I have to claim under Section 75?
Section 75 has no deadline of its own, but the usual time limit for legal claims applies: six years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, five in Scotland.
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