They said this… · Banking & payments

“You always have exactly 120 days to make a chargeback”

Generally incorrect

Card-scheme chargeback time limits vary by reason code and can run from different trigger dates.

Not sure which right applies? Check your situation →

Why this answer

What actually matters

  • “120 days” is a common shorthand but not a universal rule.
  • Long-stop rules can also matter.
  • Consumers should contact the card issuer promptly and ask which scheme deadline applies.

What you could say

Keep the response tied to the actual rule.

Evidence

What to have beside you

  • Card statement and transaction record
  • Underlying contract/order and evidence of breach or misrepresentation
  • Correspondence with the supplier
  • Bank decision and the scheme or legal basis it says it applied

If they still refuse

Move the dispute forward.

  1. Ask the bank to identify whether it assessed Section 75, chargeback or another route.
  2. Keep the underlying merchant evidence: the bank cannot sensibly assess the derivative dispute without it.
  3. Escalate eligible complaints to FOS after the firm’s complaint process.

Read the full rules

Go deeper before escalating.

Primary guideRead the detailed ConsumerWise guidance.Section 75Read the full guide.ChargebackRead the full guide.Banking & PaymentsRead the full guide.