Dear [credit card bank],
I am writing to dispute the charge of $____ on [date] from [name of merchant].
The merchant promised that the product would be………[describe what was promised here]
But in reality, the merchant failed to provide [X, Y, and Z…..describe each benefit or feature that was sold to you, and how what you received was substantively different or not delivered at all]
I tried to resolve this with the merchant on [date] via [phone, email, or other method of communication] and the merchant refused to accept a return of the merchandise or refund me.
Please provide me with a permanent credit of these charges for the product that was defective/not provided and reverse all interest charged on the purchase.
I also encourage you to revoke this merchant’s privileges with your company so that other consumers are not similarly victimized by this merchant’s bad faith business dealings.
Instructions for a strong chargeback dispute letter
It’s vital that you focus on what was UNAUTHORIZED, SUBSTANTIVELY different, DEFECTIVE/BROKEN, or PROMISED, BUT NEVER PROVIDED.
Do not get distracted by arguments that the product or service was of “poor quality,” because poor quality alone is not a basis for a chargeback, and will just invite nasty back-and-forth between you, the merchant and your credit card issuing bank.
The clearer you can list out everything that you were PROMISED when you bought the product or service and how each of those, one by one, were not delivered, the stronger your letter will be.
It can also be helpful to have corroborating evidence from elsewhere, showing that other consumers have had similar bad experiences with a particular merchant or scam going around. Link to Reddit, Yelp, Google, and other review sites where people are complaining about similar issues with the same merchant or fraudster can show that you’re not just some isolated weirdo.
This is a huge challenge for consumers these days, because fraud and scams are getting more and more sophisticated.
Where you should send your chargeback letter
Send it to the address on your statement that is where they tell you to direct your disputes. That should be on the back, in the fine print somewhere.
Often, credit card companies would rather have you do it online, or call them on the phone and then they take down your information. Fine, if that is the way they insist you initiate a dispute, but in order to control the conversation and make sure they don’t shut you up before you tell them your whole story, follow up with a written letter through every possible channel — your “conversations” area in your online account and via certified mail to the disputes address.
Save a scan or photocopy of your letter and your certified mail receipt.
Still facing credit card charges after you’ve done everything above? Reach out and we might explore whether your next step might be a lawsuit.