What to do if they won't give you a refund?

Asked by: Mark Kilback  |  Last update: May 12, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (58 votes)

Contact your state attorney general or state consumer protection office. These government agencies might mediate complaints, conduct investigations, and take other action against those who break consumer protection laws. Contact a national consumer organization.

What to do if a company refuses to give you a refund?

Send a Formal Demand Letter: Consider sending a formal demand letter requesting the refund. This letter should outline the issue, state your request for a refund, and set a reasonable deadline for a response.

What to do if someone refuses to refund money?

Submit a complain with the BBB agency. Some company's take those complaints very serious and overturn their original denial to refund you.

Is not offering refunds legal?

For a short period after purchase the consumer would be entitled to a full refund; after a longer period they would be entitled to a repair, replacement or partial refund. You can not simply say you do not give refunds, and if you display notices saying this you are likely to be committing a criminal offence.

What if a company does not refund you?

First you file a complaint with the company about this incident. Then you file a police report for fraud, or attempt to commit fraud. Even if the police refuse to do anything about it, you now have the legal ammunition you need to support their fraud when you sue them in Small Claims Court.

How to Get Your Money Back from Someone Who Owes You

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Can you sue for not getting a refund?

In conclusion, it is possible to sue a company for not refunding your money if they have breached their contract or violated consumer protection laws. Seeking legal advice and understanding your rights as a consumer is crucial in determining the best course of action in such situations.

How do I get a refund from an item not received?

You should contact the seller to ask for a redelivery or a refund - you can phone, email or write a letter.

What to do when a company won't refund you?

These strategies and this sample complaint letter can help you get your money back or reach another resolution.
  1. Go Back to the Store or Website.
  2. Write a Letter.
  3. Get Outside Help.
  4. Post an Online Review.
  5. Consider Dispute Resolution Alternatives.

What happens if someone refuses a refund?

If you can't get the support you need from the retailer in the form of a refund, repair or replacement, you can file a complaint with the company. If that still doesn't help, you can contact the Consumer Ombudsman.

What are my rights as a consumer?

The right to be informed: to be protected against fraudulent, deceitful, or grossly misleading information, advertising, labeling, or other practices, and to be given the facts needed to make informed choices. The right to choose: to have available a variety of products and services at competitive prices.

What to do if money is not refunded?

If a transaction fails but money was deducted from your account, your bank will refund the amount within 7-10 business days. This is handled by your bank, so for more details, you can contact them directly.

Can the BBB get me a refund?

Having the BBB mediate your complaint can sometimes result in a refund, but the BBB isn't able to force companies to fix the dispute. There are a few other places where you can report a problem that might or might not result in getting your money back.

How do I sue someone for not refunding money?

You can take the issue to small claims court and pursue legal action if it falls between the minimum and maximum money thresholds under court rules. You may want to get legal advice from an attorney with experience in collections matters. They may be able to help you decide if you have a civil case worth pursuing.

How to demand a refund?

Here's the first step you need to take how to ask for a refund:
  1. Engaging with Customer Service.
  2. Providing Documentation or Proof of Purchase.
  3. Transaction Details.
  4. Problem Explanation.
  5. Desired Resolution.
  6. Inclusion of Documents.
  7. Communicate Next Steps.
  8. Document Preservation.

Can I dispute a charge if a company won't refund me?

That is, if a transaction was unauthorized, or if something you bought arrives broken, isn't what you ordered, or never arrives at all. You may also be able to dispute if the merchant fails to provide your refund, makes a mistake, or is otherwise uncooperative.

Can my bank help me get a refund?

The chargeback process lets you ask your bank to refund a payment on your debit card when a purchase has gone wrong. You should contact the seller first, as you cannot start a chargeback claim unless you have done this. Then, if you can't resolve the issue, get in touch with your bank.

Is refusing a refund illegal?

Most retail stores allow you to return things you buy within a reasonable time for a full refund, credit, or an exchange. When a store clearly displays a limited or no-refund policy, however, refunds and exchanges are not required by law.

Do you legally have to give refunds?

You don't have an automatic right to get your money back if you just change your mind about something you've bought and there's nothing wrong with it. It's the same no matter how expensive the item was - it's really down to the seller whether they offer you anything.

What if a company is not refunding my money?

In case money is not refunded by the company you can send a legal notice demanding payment of full dues. In case it is not done then file a complaint in consumer forum for deficiency in service. Also you can register criminal complaint of cheating against the defaultors.

What is a section 75 claim?

Fortunately, certain credit card purchases are likely to be legally protected under Section 75 of The Consumer Credit Act 1974. What does this mean? It means your credit card provider could be jointly responsible with the retailer or supplier if something goes wrong.

Can the FTC help me get my money back?

In some cases, an FTC law enforcement action gets money back to people. To see recent FTC cases that resulted in refunds, go to ftc.gov/refunds.

What is the 6 year consumer law?

Consumer rights or rights under a guarantee

You can raise a problem about a product for up to six years from the date of buying it regardless of the terms of any guarantee. You can rely on the remedies available to you under law rather than your rights under a guarantee.

What if a company refuses to refund you?

You might need legal assistance with a product return or refund. You may file a complaint with your state's attorney general or an appropriate agency, such as the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Some cases could warrant taking direct legal action instead.

What can be done if refund not received?

If you were expecting a federal tax refund and did not receive it, check the IRS Where's My Refund page. You will need to enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

What happens if a return gets lost?

It can sometimes take a while for the retailer or seller to confirm they've received your parcel. If 14 days have passed since you handed over your parcel for return, and your retailer says that they haven't received your parcel, then you need to ask for an investigation into the missing returned parcel.