Updated 14 May 2026
Section 75 credit card protection UK: complete guide
Quick answer
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with the retailer for purchases between £100 and £30,000. If the retailer refuses to refund, you can claim directly from your card issuer.
What Section 75 covers
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 gives credit-card holders an extra layer of protection on transactions between £100 and £30,000. The card issuer is jointly liable for misrepresentation or breach of contract by the retailer.
Crucially, this means you can claim directly from your bank, even if the retailer goes bust, refuses, or ignores you.
When Section 75 applies
- 1The transaction was made on a credit card (not debit, not Klarna, not BNPL).
- 2The single item or service costs between £100 and £30,000 — the £100 threshold is per item, not per total order.
- 3The card was used to pay the retailer directly (PayPal-funded purchases sometimes break the chain — depends on facts).
- 4There's a breach of contract or misrepresentation — e.g. parcel never arrived, item materially different, retailer refuses refund.
How to file a Section 75 claim
- 1Contact the retailer first. Section 75 is a backstop, not a first port of call. Banks may refuse if you haven't tried the retailer.
- 2Gather evidence: order confirmation, tracking, retailer's refusal in writing, any photos.
- 3Contact your card issuer's disputes team. Use their secure online form or write a letter (see our Section 75 letter template).
- 4Reference Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 explicitly. State the amount, transaction date and reason.
- 5Bank typically has 8 weeks to respond. If they reject or ignore, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) — free.
Section 75 vs chargeback
Both protect consumers, but they're different. Section 75 is a legal right (Consumer Credit Act 1974) — the bank is jointly liable. Chargeback is a card-scheme rule — the bank just requests a refund from the retailer's bank.
If both apply, try chargeback first (faster), Section 75 second. Section 75 is your fallback if chargeback fails or wasn't possible.
Common Section 75 questions for parcels
For parcel disputes, Section 75 typically covers: retailer refusing refund for missing parcel, retailer going out of business, damaged or wrong item with retailer refusing to fix.
Failed delivery alone (where the retailer is willing to refund) doesn't usually need Section 75 — only when the retailer refuses or delays unreasonably.
Frequently asked questions
Does Section 75 cover purchases on Apple Pay or Google Pay?
If the underlying card is a credit card and the transaction was £100+, yes. Section 75 looks at the funding source, not the wallet.
What if my purchase was £99?
Section 75 doesn't apply at £99. Use chargeback instead, which has no minimum threshold.
Can I use Section 75 alongside the Consumer Rights Act?
Yes. They work together. CRA 2015 is your right against the retailer; Section 75 is your right against the card issuer when the retailer fails.
How long do I have to file a Section 75 claim?
The general limitation period is six years (England and Wales), but file ASAP because banks may impose shorter internal deadlines.
Can I escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if my bank rejects?
Yes. The Financial Ombudsman Service is free, independent, and often sides with consumers when banks misapply the Section 75 test.