How Long Do You Have to Dispute a Credit Card Charge?

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated July 2026
The short answer: For a billing error, federal law gives you 60 days from the statement date on which the charge appeared to dispute it in writing. For fraud, report it as soon as you notice, since the sooner you act the better, and your liability is capped by law. Many card-network disputes allow up to 120 days.

This guide lays out the deadlines that matter, how they differ, and why acting quickly is always the safe move.

The 60-day rule for billing errors

Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have 60 days from the date the statement containing the error was sent to dispute a billing error in writing, such as a wrong amount, a charge for something you did not receive, or a math mistake. Within that window, your issuer must investigate, and you can withhold payment on the disputed amount while it does.

Fraud and unauthorized charges

For truly fraudulent or unauthorized charges, report them the moment you spot them. Federal law caps your liability, often at zero with your issuer fraud protection, but prompt reporting is what keeps you fully covered. There is no reason to wait, and monitoring your statements makes this easy.

Merchant disputes and network windows

Beyond the legal minimums, the card networks give issuers their own dispute windows, frequently up to 120 days from the transaction or the expected delivery date for a problem like an undelivered item. If you are past the 60-day billing-error window but still within the network window, a dispute may still work. When in doubt, file quickly rather than assuming you have missed the deadline.

The bottom line
  • Billing errors: 60 days from the statement date the charge appeared.
  • Fraud: report as soon as you notice, with liability capped by law.
  • Card-network dispute windows often reach 120 days.
  • Disputing in writing preserves your strongest legal protections.
  • Acting fast improves your odds no matter the category.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to dispute a credit card charge?
For a billing error, 60 days from the statement date the charge appeared. For fraud, report it immediately. Many network disputes allow up to 120 days.
What if I notice a fraudulent charge months later?
Report it as soon as you find it. Fraud protections still apply, and prompt reporting keeps your liability at or near zero.
Can I dispute a charge after 60 days?
Possibly. The 60-day rule is for billing errors, but card-network dispute windows often extend to 120 days, so it is worth filing even if the billing-error window has passed.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.