What happens if a dispute is denied?

Asked by: Dane Morissette  |  Last update: October 13, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

The issuer may deny the entire disputed amount or a part of it; either way, it should inform you in writing about the denial and how much you owe. You will also be notified about when you need to make your payment, including any interest that accumulated on the amount while it was in dispute.

What happens if you lose a dispute?

If your dispute is denied, the charge will go back to your credit card. You should receive an explanation from the credit card issuer detailing the reason the dispute was denied. If you refuse to pay, they can put your account in collections or seek legal action.

What happens if a merchant rejects a dispute?

If your claim is refused and you don't get your money back, contact your card provider as they may be able to give you more details about why this has happened. If you're not satisfied with this, you may be able to refer your dispute to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

What happens if you falsely dispute a charge?

In a Nutshell

These claims can result from misunderstandings, fraud, or attempts to bypass return policies. The cardholder can face consequences for chargeback abuse, including account freezes, losing one's bank account, damage to one's credit score, and even legal consequences.

What happens if a company doesn't respond to a credit dispute?

It's important to note that if the creditor fails to respond within the required timeframe, they are obligated to remove the disputed information from your credit report, or they may be subject to legal action for non-compliance with federal or state regulations...

What Happens If A Credit Dispute Is Denied? - CreditGuide360.com

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What to do if a dispute is denied?

Key takeaways

If the credit card issuer denies the dispute, the customer can request supporting documents and can also appeal the decision or file a complaint with consumer protection agencies. If the dispute is still not resolved, customers can seek legal advice and file a case.

What is a creditor legally allowed to do if you dispute a debt?

A debt collector must stop all collection activity on a debt if you send them a written dispute about the debt, generally within 30 days after your initial communication with them. Collection activities can restart, though, after the debt collector sends verification responding to the dispute.

Do banks really investigate disputes?

A bank has 10 business days to investigate a claim and reach a decision after they're notified. If they confirm the fraud claim is legitimate, they'll refund the customer. Some cases are more complicated, and banks may take up to 45 days for these.

Do credit card companies actually investigate disputes?

What does the credit card company have to do? They must acknowledge receipt of your letter within 30 days. Within 90 days or two billing cycles, they must investigate your dispute. They must correct their mistake or explain to you in writing why the bill is correct.

How often do merchants win chargeback disputes?

The industry average for chargeback win rates is 30%.

Another source suggests that merchants win 43.82% of all friendly fraud cases [2]. However, merchants only won 9.27% of true fraud chargebacks. The former is when the actual cardholder makes a purchase using the card, but claims the transaction was fraud.

Will the merchant know if I dispute a charge?

The acquiring bank notifies the merchant when a customer has disputed a charge. It will provide the merchant with the deadline for deciding whether to dispute the chargeback and for submitting all compelling evidence that shows the dispute is unwarranted. Timeframes for acquirers average 10-35 days.

How successful are credit card disputes?

In fact, 96% of credit cardholders who've filed a dispute had a successful resolution the most recent time, according to the latest LendingTree survey of nearly 2,000 U.S. consumers. Here's a look at the types of disputes consumers file, resolution timelines and more.

What happens if a creditor does not respond to a dispute?

What happens if the creditor does not respond within the required time? If the creditor does not respond within 30 days, TransUnion will delete the information from your credit report.

What happens if a merchant doesn't respond to a dispute?

Chargeback rules strictly enforce response deadlines - typically between 20 to 45 days from the date the chargeback is filed. Missing a deadline almost always results in a lost chargeback by default.

Does disputing a charge hurt the company?

Yes, disputing a charge can indeed hurt the merchant. According to the information available: Navigating through the chargeback process, especially for goods not received, is described as a painful undertaking for merchants.

How do I get a dispute removed?

Call the phone number on the report. The file number or report ID will get you to a human so they can pull up the account in dispute. Tell them you no longer dispute the account and agree with the balance and prior paying history, furthermore need the dispute wording removed as it is preventing mortgage loan approval.

What happens if you falsely dispute a credit report?

However you filed your dispute, the credit bureau has 30 days to investigate it. If the credit bureau considers your request to be “frivolous” or “irrelevant,” they will stop investigating, but they need to notify you of that and give the reason.

How likely is it for a credit card company to sue you?

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), credit card companies sue their customers about 12% of the time. On average, credit card companies sue to recover balances over $2,700—this isn't a set amount, but an average. Credit card companies can and do sue on debts both larger and smaller than $2,700.

Who pays when you win a credit card dispute?

Upon providing proof of authorization, the processor will review and make a final decision on the winner of the dispute. If the dispute is awarded to the cardholder, they will receive reimbursement for the transaction; you will lose the funds from your bank account and be charged the chargeback fee.

What happens if a bank denies your claim?

If your credit card issuer rejects your dispute, you still have recourse options, including: Initiate a chargeback: You can file a formal chargeback to continue contesting the transaction. The chargeback process provides cardholders a way to further dispute a charge when the standard dispute is denied.

What are the chances of winning a bank dispute?

You might not always get a fair outcome when you dispute a chargeback, but you can increase your chances of winning by providing the right documents. Per our experience, if you do everything right, you can expect a 65% to 75% success rate.

What do banks do when you dispute a charge?

The bank will determine if the charge in dispute is valid or invalid. They will notify the cardholder and merchant of their decision. If the dispute is determined to be valid, the cardholder will typically receive a refund.

What is the 777 rule with debt collectors?

Specifically, the rule states that a debt collector cannot: Make more than seven calls within a seven-day period to a consumer regarding a specific debt. Call a consumer within seven days after having a telephone conversation about that debt.

What's the worst a debt collector can do?

A debt collector cannot lie or use deceptive practices to collect a debt. They cannot falsely claim to be attorneys or government representatives, misrepresent the amount you owe, falsely claim you've committed a crime or threaten legal action they cannot or do not intend to take.

What percentage should I offer to settle debt?

Some collectors want 75%–80% of what you owe. Others will take 50%, while others might settle for one-third or less. So, it makes sense to start low with your first offer and see what happens. And be aware that some collectors won't accept anything less than the total debt amount.