How to sort a problem with a payment

Always speak to the company you’re paying to try and resolve any problems first. This might include:

• being charged the wrong amount, or multiple times
• not receiving the item or service you paid for
• an item arriving faulty or of poor quality. 

If that doesn’t work, ask your bank to investigate. For problems with goods or services, the route to take depends on the type of card you’ve used.

A credit card gives you spending protection on everything you buy. If something goes wrong and the company won’t give you a refund, you can ask your bank to give the money back.

If the item or service costs £100 to £30,000, submit a Section 75 claim. For other amounts, you have 120 days to make a chargeback claim.

Find out more in Section 75 and chargeback explained. 

A debit card gives chargeback protection on all purchases. If an item is faulty or doesn’t arrive and the company won’t give you a refund, you can ask your bank to claim the money back.

You have 120 days from the purchase date, or date of tickets, to submit a chargeback claim.

See chargeback explained for more information.

You should be told the outcome of your Section 75 or chargeback claim within eight weeks.

If you’re unhappy with the response, or the timescale has passed, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman ServiceOpens in a new window

See what to do if a debit or credit card payment goes wrong – the process is the same. 

If an item is not delivered or not as described, always try to resolve the problem with the company first.

If that doesn’t work, you can try claiming a refund via: 

• PayPal's Buyer Protection schemeOpens in a new window  you have 180 days to do this

• your card provider, using the chargeback scheme  (if you used your debit or credit card to pay via PayPal) – you have 120 days to submit a claim. 

If you’ve made a mistake and sent money to the wrong account, contact your bank as soon as possible to report the problem. They’ll then: 

1. Start investigating within two working days.
2. Ask the other account holder to pay the money back.
3. Let you know the outcome within 20 working days, either:  
   1. your money is paid back 
   2. your money can’t be recovered, often as the other person disputes it. You’ll be told the options you can take, including asking for the name and address of the person who received the money.  

If you’re unhappy with your bank’s service or investigation, you can complain

If you think you’ve been scammed, follow these steps: 

1. Tell your bank or card provider what’s happened immediately – they’ll freeze your card and might refund lost money. You can call most banks by dialling 159.   
2. Report the scam to: 
   1. Action Fraud onlineOpens in a new windowd or by calling 0300 123 2040
   2. FCA Scam SmartOpens in a new window  if it’s a financial scam, like investment fraud 
   3. In Scotland, dial 101 to report to the police and 0808 164 6400 for Advice Direct Scotland. 
3. If someone has opened accounts in your name, tell those providers you’ve had your identity stolen. You’ll also need to contact the credit reference agencies.  

See Identity theft and scams for more information.

To speak to someone, call our financial crimes and scams unit on 0800 015 4402.

It’s free and easy to complain to your bank or card provider. Just remember to keep a record of all the communication you have.      

Here are the steps to follow: 

1. ask your bank’s customer services to put things right – if you can’t agree on a resolution, then  
2. make a formal complaint – they have eight weeks to investigate and give a final response. If you still don’t agree, or the timeframe has passed, you can    
3. take your complaint to the free Financial Ombudsman ServiceOpens in a new window – you’ll get an independent decision on whether your bank’s response was fair or if they need to do more.      

For more information, see our full how to complain guide.