Section 75 Credit Card Claim Letter UK
Paid by credit card and the seller won't refund you? Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 means your credit card company is equally liable. Here's how to claim.
What the Law Says
Consumer Credit Act 1974, Section 75
If the debtor under a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement has, in relation to a transaction financed by the agreement, any claim against the supplier in respect of a misrepresentation or breach of contract, he shall have a like claim against the creditor, who, with the supplier, shall accordingly be jointly and severally liable.
Eligibility at a glance: Your Section 75 claim is valid for purchases between £100 and £30,000 made on a credit card. The full item price must be over £100 — not just the portion paid by card. There's no fixed time limit, but claims are easier to pursue within 6 years.
In plain English: if you bought something with a credit card and the seller has breached their contract (faulty goods, non-delivery, misrepresentation), your credit card company is equally responsible. You can claim from either the seller or the card issuer — or both.
The Key Conditions
- Purchase price between £100.01 and £30,000 — the item itself must be in this range (not the amount you put on the card)
- Paid by credit card — debit cards, prepaid cards and buy-now-pay-later don't qualify (use chargeback instead)
- Breach of contract or misrepresentation — the goods must be faulty, not as described, or never delivered. "Changed my mind" doesn't qualify
- Direct debtor-creditor-supplier relationship — you, the card company, and the seller must be three distinct parties
Section 75 vs Chargeback — What's the Difference?
Section 75 is a legal right under statute — the card issuer cannot refuse a valid claim. It covers items £100.01–£30,000 and has no time limit (though practical limits apply). Chargeback is a voluntary scheme by Visa/Mastercard/Amex — not legally enforceable. It works on any amount but must be claimed within 120 days. For credit card purchases over £100, always try Section 75 first.
When You Have a Valid Claim
You can make a Section 75 claim when:
- Goods are faulty — they don't meet the standards in the Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Goods don't arrive — the seller has failed to deliver
- The seller misrepresented the product — it's significantly different from what was advertised
- The company has gone bust — this is where Section 75 really shines. Even if the seller has ceased trading, your card issuer must still honour the claim
- Services not provided — holidays, events, or professional services that were paid for but not delivered
What Your Letter Should Include
Section 75 Claim Letter Checklist
- Your full name and address
- Credit card number (last 4 digits only for security)
- Transaction date and amount charged to the card
- Total purchase price of the item/service
- Seller's name and details
- Clear description of the breach (faulty goods, non-delivery, misrepresentation)
- What you've already done to resolve it with the seller
- Reference to Section 75, Consumer Credit Act 1974
- The amount you're claiming
- Copies of evidence: receipts, correspondence with seller, photos of faults
- Request for response within 14 days
Eligible for a Section 75 claim? LetterLift writes the formal demand letter to your credit card company — citing the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the specific breach.
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What Happens If They Don't Respond
Follow Up in Writing
If no response within 14 days, send a follow-up letter referencing your original claim. Most card issuers have a dedicated Section 75 team — call and ask to be transferred. Keep records of all contact.
Request a Final Response Letter
If they reject your claim, ask for a "final response" letter. This is their formal position and you need it for the next step. They must provide this within 8 weeks of your original complaint.
Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
The FOS handles disputes between consumers and financial companies for free. They can order the card issuer to refund you, pay compensation, and cover consequential losses. You must escalate within 6 months of the final response letter.
County Court (Last Resort)
If the FOS decision isn't satisfactory, you can take the card issuer to county court. Section 75 claims through the courts are well-established and succeed regularly. Small claims court handles claims up to £10,000.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Section 75 credit card claims in the UK.
Does Section 75 apply to debit cards?
No. Section 75 only applies to credit cards. Debit card purchases may be covered by the Visa or Mastercard chargeback scheme, which is a voluntary scheme and not a legal right — but still worth trying. Chargeback is typically faster but offers weaker protection.
What if I only paid a deposit by credit card?
Section 75 still applies as long as the total purchase price is between £100 and £30,000 — even if you only put £1 on the credit card. The card company is jointly liable for the whole transaction, not just the amount charged to the card.
What's the difference between Section 75 and a chargeback?
Section 75 is a legal right under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 — the credit card company is equally liable as the retailer. Chargeback is a voluntary scheme run by Visa/Mastercard. Section 75 is stronger: it covers more situations and the card company can't simply say the claim was outside their scheme rules.
How long does a Section 75 claim take?
Card companies typically have 8 weeks to resolve a complaint. If they reject your claim or don't respond within 8 weeks, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for a free, binding decision. The FOS resolves most cases within 3–6 months.