Chargeback: the debit card backup

Lesson 7 of 12 in our free Consumer Rights guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Consumer Rights is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

What should Mo do BEFORE asking the bank for a chargeback?

£30 order on a debit card, never arrived → Chargeback. Debit card + under £100 = chargeback territory.
£700 bike on a credit card, faulty, shop refuses to help → Section 75. Credit card, over £100: Section 75 makes the card provider jointly liable.
£250 flight paid by debit card, airline went bust → Chargeback. Debit card means no Section 75 — chargeback is the move.
£80 jacket on a credit card that falls apart → Chargeback. Under £100, so Section 75 doesn't apply. Chargeback works on credit cards too.
Myth: “Chargeback is a legal right, like Section 75.” — It's a voluntary scheme run by card networks. Banks don't have to win it for you — but they do use it.
Fact: “Chargeback doesn't help if you paid by bank transfer.” — Bank transfers aren't card payments. That's why paying by card is safer for online shopping.
Myth: “Chargeback only works for purchases over £100.” — No minimum. It can work for small amounts too.