Section 75 & Chargeback Claim Checker
If a trader fails to deliver, goes bust, or sells you something faulty — and you paid by card — you may be able to claim your money back from your card issuer. This tool tells you which route applies and your likely success.
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 — Your Complete Guide
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 is one of the most powerful consumer rights in UK law. It makes your credit card company jointly and severally liable for any breach of contract or misrepresentation by a retailer, for purchases costing between £100 and £30,000. If a company fails to deliver, goes bust, or misrepresents what it is selling, you can claim your money back directly from your credit card company — even if the retailer has disappeared. This means Section 75 protection works even when the seller is insolvent, dissolved, or simply uncontactable.
When Does Section 75 Apply?
Section 75 protection applies when all of the following conditions are met:
- Payment by credit card: The purchase must be made using a regulated UK credit agreement — a standard credit card. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and charge cards without a credit element do not qualify.
- Purchase price between £100 and £30,000: The price of the individual item must be within this range. A single item costing £100.01 qualifies; three items at £90 each in one transaction do not individually qualify even if the total exceeds £100.
- Breach of contract or misrepresentation: The goods were not delivered, were faulty, were not as described, or the seller made a false statement that induced the purchase.
- Direct supplier link: The purchase must be made directly from the retailer. Third-party payment platforms can sometimes break this link.
The Power of Partial Payment
One of the most valuable and least understood aspects of Section 75 is that it applies even if you only paid part of the purchase price on your credit card. If you paid a £500 deposit on a £5,000 holiday using your credit card and paid the remaining £4,500 by bank transfer, Section 75 still covers the full £5,000. The credit card company is jointly liable for the entire purchase, not just the £500 portion you paid on card. Always pay at least a portion of any large purchase on a credit card to trigger Section 75 protection for the whole amount.
What Is Chargeback and How Is It Different?
Chargeback is a separate dispute mechanism operated by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Unlike Section 75, chargeback is not a legal right — it is a contractual scheme rule. However, it is available for both credit and debit cards, and for any purchase amount (including those under £100 that fall outside Section 75). The key differences:
- Legal basis: Section 75 is a statutory right; chargeback is a contractual scheme
- Card types: Section 75 is credit cards only; chargeback covers debit and credit cards
- Amount: Section 75 requires £100–£30,000; chargeback has no minimum
- Time limit: Section 75 has no fixed statutory limit (up to 6 years); chargeback is typically 120 days from transaction
- Outcome: Section 75 cannot be refused if conditions are met; chargeback can be contested by the merchant's bank
How to Make a Section 75 Claim
Making a Section 75 claim is free — you do not need a solicitor or claims management company. Follow these steps:
- Contact the retailer first: Attempt to resolve with the retailer directly before escalating.
- Gather evidence: Original receipt, proof of credit card payment, evidence of the problem (photos, written refusal, administrator's notice).
- Write to your credit card issuer: State you are making a Section 75 claim under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Be specific about what went wrong and the amount claimed.
- Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman: If your card issuer refuses or does not respond within eight weeks, refer to the FOS for free.
Common Section 75 Scenarios
Company insolvency: If a retailer or travel company enters administration before delivering your order or holiday, you can make a Section 75 claim for the full amount without waiting for the insolvency process. This is particularly valuable when buying holidays, event tickets, or high-value goods from smaller companies.
Non-delivery: If goods are not delivered and the retailer refuses to refund or is uncontactable, your credit card company must provide a refund under Section 75.
Section 75 and Travel: For holidays and travel purchases, always use a credit card for at least part of the payment. A £1 deposit on a £3,000 holiday paid to your credit card triggers Section 75 for the entire £3,000 — even if the rest was paid by bank transfer or debit card.
Chargeback Time Limits — Act Quickly
The 120-day chargeback window is strict. Calculate 120 days from your transaction date (or expected delivery date) and submit before this deadline. If there is any risk the retailer will not resolve the issue, start the chargeback process within the 120-day window — do not wait until it closes. You can always withdraw a chargeback if the retailer does resolve the matter in the meantime.
Getting the Most from Section 75
The most important practical step is always to pay at least some part of any significant purchase using a credit card — even if you pay the remainder by other means. A £1 credit card deposit on a £5,000 holiday triggers Section 75 for the full £5,000. This simple practice provides substantial legal protection at no cost beyond the credit card's existing credit facility.
When making a claim, be specific and evidence-based. State the exact breach (non-delivery, misrepresentation, insolvency of the retailer) and quantify the loss claimed. Attach copies of your original order confirmation, credit card statement, and evidence of the problem. A well-prepared claim is resolved more quickly and is less likely to be incorrectly denied.
For particularly large purchases such as bespoke furniture, boat purchases, or bespoke construction work, where a deposit is paid far in advance of delivery, Section 75 protection combined with a carefully worded contract specifying delivery milestones provides the strongest consumer protection available. Always retain the original credit card contract and correspondence — Section 75 claims made years later rely on documentation you keep yourself.