Section 75 Credit Card Claim

Q: Does Section 75 work if I paid by debit card?

Debit cards don't have Section 75 protection. You may have chargeback rights or Consumer Rights Act 2015 protection instead.

Q: What if the merchant has gone out of business?

Makes no difference. The card issuer is liable regardless.

Q: Can I claim if the purchase was years ago?

Yes, no time limit. However, push back if older than 6 years.

Q: Does Section 75 cover Buy Now Pay Later (Klarna, Clearpay, PayPal Pay in 3)?

From 15 July 2026, yes, but only for new agreements entered into on or after that date, for single items over £100. It is not retroactive.

Section 75 Credit Card Claim: How to Get Your Money Back

Full guide: Complete InsuranceFight Guide

Reclaim money lost to fraud, non-delivery, or poor quality goods

Quick Answer

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes your credit card provider equally liable for breaches by the merchant. If you buy anything between £100-£30,000 on credit card and it's not delivered, fraudulent, or faulty, your card issuer must refund you. Write to them with proof. Most claims settle within 4-8 weeks. No time limit (but quicker within 6 years of the purchase).

What's Covered?

Section 75 covers: goods/services not delivered, significantly different from description, faulty or defective goods, fraud by the merchant, or breach of warranty. It applies only to purchases between £100-£30,000. Both debit cards and credit cards work, but credit cards give you stronger protection.

Not covered: disputes under £100, cash withdrawals, or money transfers. The seller's location doesn't matter - only that you used a credit card.

How to Claim

Step 1: Try the merchant first. Contact the seller and ask for a refund (30 days grace). Keep evidence of contact. If they ignore you or refuse, proceed.

Step 2: Write to your credit card issuer. Send a formal letter to the card issuer (address on your statement). Include: transaction date, amount, merchant name, what went wrong, why you believe they breached contract. Attach proof (order confirmation, photos of faulty goods, delivery failure, communications).

Step 3: Wait for response. They have 30 days to respond. If they agree, you'll get a refund within 30 days. If they dispute, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman (who usually upholds Section 75 claims).

What the Law Says

Consumer Credit Act 1974, Section 75

Card issuer is jointly and severally liable with the merchant for breach of contract or misrepresentation. Applies to purchases between £100-£30,000.

Consumer Rights Act 2015, Parts 1-2

Goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. Section 75 enforces these rights against card issuers.

FCA DISP Chapter 2

Card issuers must handle Section 75 claims fairly and transparently. Failure to do so is a regulated activity breach.

Buy Now Pay Later - FCA regulation from 15 July 2026

New Buy Now Pay Later agreements (Klarna, Clearpay, PayPal Pay in 3 and similar) come under FCA regulation from 15 July 2026. Section 75 now applies to these agreements too, for single items over £100, but only for agreements entered into on or after 15 July 2026 - existing BNPL purchases are not covered.

Does Section 75 work if I paid by debit card? +

Debit cards don't have Section 75 protection. However, you may have "chargeback" rights (ask your bank). Also, Consumer Rights Act 2015 may apply. Section 75 specifically requires a credit card.

What if the merchant has gone out of business? +

Makes no difference. The card issuer is liable regardless of the merchant's solvency. This is the whole point of Section 75 - your card company bears the risk, not you.

Can I claim if the purchase was years ago? +

Yes, no time limit. However, card issuers often refuse claims older than 6 years (statute of limitations). Push back if your claim is older; still submit it - the Financial Ombudsman may uphold it.

Do I need to dispute within a certain time? +

No legal deadline, but act quickly. The sooner you claim, the sooner you'll be refunded. Claims over 6 years old may face delays or rejection.

What if the card issuer wrongly refuses my claim? +

Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. They investigate for free and often overturn refusals. Include all evidence and explain why the card issuer was wrong.

Does Section 75 cover Buy Now Pay Later (Klarna, Clearpay, PayPal Pay in 3)? +

From 15 July 2026, yes, but only for new agreements. Section 75 applies to BNPL agreements entered into on or after 15 July 2026, for single items over £100. It is not retroactive, so a purchase from before that date is not covered. For older or sub-£100 purchases, chargeback through your card provider is the fallback option.

Start Your Section 75 Claim