Key takeaways

  • Try the merchant first for billing errors. Go to your bank for fraud or if the merchant doesn't respond.
  • Card networks allow disputes up to about 120 days, but banks often set shorter internal deadlines (30–90 days).
  • Evidence wins disputes: invoices, emails, chat logs and delivery records.
  • If the bank rejects you unfairly, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman after 30 days.

Wrong amount, duplicate charge, an order that never arrived, a subscription you cancelled, or a transaction you didn't make: you can dispute all of these. Here's how the process works in India.

What you can dispute

  • Unauthorised transactions you didn't make. Treat these as fraud: block the card first. See our first-hour guide.
  • Duplicate or incorrect charges, like being charged twice or the wrong amount.
  • Goods or services not received or significantly not as described.
  • Cancelled subscriptions or bookings that were still charged, or refunds that never arrived.
  • ATM errors, where cash wasn't dispensed but your account was debited.

Step 1: Contact the merchant (for non-fraud issues)

For billing errors, cancellations and refunds, ask the merchant first. Keep the conversation in writing (email or chat), note dates and reference numbers, and give them a reasonable time to fix it. Many disputes end here.

Step 2: Raise a dispute with your bank

If the merchant doesn't resolve it, or for any fraud, raise a dispute with your card issuer through the app, net banking, phone banking, email or a branch. Provide:

  • Transaction date, amount and merchant name as shown on your statement.
  • What went wrong, and what you want (full or partial refund).
  • Evidence: invoices, order confirmations, cancellation emails, chat transcripts, screenshots and delivery tracking.

Save the dispute reference number.

Time limits

Card networks (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay) generally allow disputes up to about 120 days from the transaction, but banks often set shorter internal deadlines. For example, ICICI Bank allows up to 90 days, and SBI Card allows 90 days for Visa, Mastercard and Amex and 30 days for domestic RuPay transactions. Don't wait. Dispute as soon as you notice.

How a chargeback works

  1. Your bank reviews the dispute and may give you a provisional credit while it investigates.
  2. The bank raises a chargeback with the card network, which passes it to the merchant's bank.
  3. The merchant can respond with evidence, for example proof of delivery.
  4. The network decides based on its rules. Simple cases can resolve in weeks. International or contested disputes can take up to about 120 days.

If the merchant wins, a provisional credit may be reversed. That's why good evidence matters.

While the dispute is open

  • Pay the rest of your bill as usual. Ask the bank to mark the disputed amount so it isn't counted towards late fees or interest while under investigation.
  • Keep checking your statement for the provisional credit and any reversal.
  • Respond quickly if the bank asks for more information.

Tips to win a dispute

  • Be specific and factual: dates, amounts, what was promised and what happened.
  • Attach proof of cancellation or return, such as a courier receipt or cancellation email.
  • For "item not received", include the promised delivery date and tracking status.
  • For duplicates, highlight both transactions on your statement.

If the bank rejects your dispute unfairly

  1. Ask for the reason in writing and the evidence the merchant provided.
  2. Escalate within the bank to the grievance redressal or nodal officer listed on its website.
  3. If unresolved after 30 days, or you're unhappy with the final reply, file with the RBI Ombudsman within 90 days. It's free.

A sample dispute message

You can adapt this when raising a dispute in your bank's app or by email:

"I dispute the transaction of ₹[amount] on [date] at [merchant name as on statement], reference [transaction ID]. [Describe the problem, e.g., I was charged twice for the same order / I cancelled this booking on (date) and received no refund / I did not make this transaction.] I contacted the merchant on [date] (reference [number]) without resolution. Please raise a chargeback and credit the amount. Evidence attached: [list]. I request that this amount not attract interest or late fees while under investigation."

Special cases

  • Failed ATM withdrawals: if cash wasn't dispensed but your account was debited, RBI's turnaround-time rules require the bank to reverse it within a set period and pay compensation for delays. Complain to your bank with the ATM location and time.
  • Subscription traps: cancel in the merchant's account, save the confirmation, then disable recurring payments (e-mandates) in your bank app.
  • EMI purchases: dispute the original transaction. The EMI should be adjusted if the dispute succeeds.

FAQs

How long do I have to dispute a credit card transaction?

Card networks generally allow up to about 120 days, but many banks set shorter limits, often 30–90 days. Dispute as soon as you notice a problem.

Do I have to pay the disputed amount while the bank investigates?

Ask the bank to mark it as disputed. Pay the rest of your bill on time. Many banks provide a provisional credit during the investigation.

Can I dispute a transaction I made but regret?

Not usually. Chargebacks are for errors, fraud and non-delivery, not change of mind. For those, use the merchant's return policy.

What if the merchant is abroad?

You can still dispute through your bank. International disputes follow card network rules and may take longer.

Sources

About the author

Deepak

Founder & Editor, CardPicker

Deepak founded CardPicker and writes and fact-checks its credit card guides, comparisons and news.

✓ Fact-checked 26 September 2026Prices, dates and card terms in this article were checked against issuer websites, official pages and news reports listed under Sources. Card figures come from our database, which is re-verified regularly. Offers change often, so confirm on the issuer's site before you buy or apply. Spotted an error? Tell us.