Can you dispute a pending charge?
Asked by: Dr. Maximillian Hartmann DDS | Last update: October 8, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (54 votes)
Only posted transactions can be disputed (pending charges are temporary and may change). If you have any immediate concerns about a pending charge, contact the merchant directly. The merchant's contact information is typically found on your receipt or billing statement.
How do I dispute a pending transaction?
To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.
Can a pending charge be refunded?
If the merchant agrees to cancel the charge, the pending transaction should eventually disappear from your account without posting. However, if the transaction posts before the cancellation is processed, you may need to file a dispute with your bank or credit card company to reverse the charge.
Can your bank cancel a pending transaction?
Typically you can't cancel a pending transaction. Even if it's fraudulent or the wrong amount, your bank usually needs the transaction to post before it can next steps. That doesn't mean it's impossible to cancel — you can contact the merchant if there is an error and they can usually reverse it.
How do I reverse a pending charge?
So, the seller who issued the charge can call off the pending transaction by submitting a stop payment request to your card issuer. Another reason to contact the merchant is that you can only take back a pending transaction once it has been posted. It's best to do this as soon as possible—within one or two days.
Can I dispute a pending transaction?
Can you fight a pending charge?
Only posted transactions can be disputed (pending charges are temporary and may change). If you have any immediate concerns about a pending charge, contact the merchant directly. The merchant's contact information is typically found on your receipt or billing statement.
Can I dispute a credit card charge that I willingly paid for?
Can I dispute a charge that I willingly paid for? In limited situations, yes. You may dispute a charge that you willingly paid for if the merchant subsequently billed you incorrectly, or if the goods or services you ordered are missing or defective.
Can I tell my bank to stop a transaction?
To stop payment, you need to notify your bank at least three business days before the transaction is scheduled to be made and your bank may charge a fee. The notice to stop the transaction may be made orally or in writing. A bank can require written confirmation of an oral stop payment request.
Does a pending charge mean it went through?
Pending transactions are charges that have been initiated but not yet fully processed or settled. They can take anywhere from a few hours to five business days to clear, depending on the charge. Restaurants, hotels, and car rental companies often initially list charges as pending until the payment is fully processed.
Can pending transactions be withdrawn?
Canceling a pending transaction isn't guaranteed. But if it's a pending purchase, you could ask the merchant to cancel the transaction. They may be able to cancel the order or offer a refund or store credit if they can't cancel it.
Do pending transactions get reversed?
A Pending card transaction can turn into a Reversed transaction if the merchant you are purchasing from has decided not to go through with debiting your account. A common example of this is a security bond that hotels and car rental companies will hold temporarily, and return to you at the end of your trip.
Can pending charges be used against you?
For example, California allows the inclusion of all pending charges in background checks. While the state forbids reporting of arrests not resulting in convictions, it doesn't prohibit the reporting of currently pending criminal charges.
Can I claim back a pending transaction?
Good to know. Usually, the fastest way to resolve the issue is by contacting the business or retailer. Make sure you recognise the transaction. You can't dispute a pending transaction.
Can you refund a pending charge?
Unfortunately, canceling a pending transaction isn't always simple. If you're trying to remove a hold or a pending transaction before it posts, you'll need to contact the merchant and ask them to remove the authorization. Once your transaction is finalized, however, you have more power in reversing the charge.
How long before you can't dispute a transaction?
What's the Time Limit for Filing a Chargeback? Each card network and issuing bank sets its own time limits for filing a chargeback, but U.S. law sets a minimum time limit of 60 days. Most banks give cardholders 120 days to dispute a charge.
Which of the following transactions may not be disputed through the bank?
Check transactions, transportation charges, and any form of taxes cannot be disputed through the bank and must be resolved directly with the merchant.
Can a pending charge be cancelled?
You can stop a pending debit card transaction by contacting the merchant and canceling the purchase. Or you can try contacting your bank if you don't recognize the transaction, you suspect fraud is involved, or the merchant is unresponsive.
Can pending transactions be declined?
A pending credit card purchase might be declined if another merchant has placed a hold on your credit card. A pending purchase made with your bank account or credit card could be declined if your account doesn't have enough funds or the merchant won't accept payment from your bank.
Does "pending" mean "already paid"?
You may have bought something in a shop or online. Either way, the word 'pending' shows that the payment is still being processed by the retailer and is waiting to leave your account. It means your bank has approved the payment, but the retailer needs to finish collecting it.
How long does it take for a pending charge to drop?
How long does it take for a pending charge to clear? Usually, a pending charge will show on your account until the transaction is processed and the funds are transferred to the merchant. This could typically take up to three days but may stretch longer depending on the merchant and the type of transaction.
How do I dispute a charge?
Contact your credit card issuer
You can only dispute charges that have already been posted. If you prefer not to submit a dispute online, you may do so in writing, or by calling customer service and disputing the charge over the phone.
Can you ask your bank to block a charge?
The process of issuing a stop payment order varies based on your bank or financial institution. For example, some banks may require a phone call to provide verbal consent, while others may prefer written permission. Some banks may also charge a fee for issuing a stop payment.
What is the best excuse to dispute a credit card charge?
Billing errors
Charges that list the wrong date or amount. Charges for goods and services you didn't accept or weren't delivered as agreed. Math errors. Failure to post payments and other credits, like returns.
Who loses money when you dispute a charge?
Loss of revenue: Chargebacks result in a direct loss of revenue for merchants, as they have to refund the disputed amount to the customer.
Can you dispute a charge if they won't refund you?
You've made a good-faith effort to resolve a problem with the merchant. Suppose you bought a TV and discovered that the screen was cracked. If the merchant refused to give you a refund, you'd generally be able to dispute that purchase successfully, if the purchase met certain requirements under the law.