How do I get my money back after I discover an unauthorized transaction or money missing from my bank account? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

Once you notify your bank or credit union, it generally has ten business days to investigate the issue (20 business days if the account has been open less than 30 days). The bank or credit union must correct an error within one business day after determining that an error has occurred. Your bank or credit union then has three business days to report its findings to you. After that, you have the right to request the information it used to make their decision, and the bank or credit union has to send it to you promptly.

If the bank or credit union can’t complete its investigation within ten (or 20) business days as applicable, it must generally issue a temporary credit to your account for the amount of the disputed transaction, minus a maximum of $50, while it continues to investigate.

In some situations, however, your bank or credit union does not have to issue a temporary credit. For example, it can require you to provide written confirmation of the error if you initially provided the information by telephone. If you are asked to follow up in writing and you do not do so within ten business days, the bank or credit union is not required to temporarily credit your account during its investigation.

The bank or credit union must then resolve the issue in 45 days, unless the disputed transactions were conducted in a foreign country, were conducted within 30 days of account opening, or were debit card point-of-sale purchases. In those cases, you may have to wait as long as 90 days for the issue to be fully resolved.

If the bank or credit union determines that the transactions were in fact authorized, it must provide you with written notice before taking the money that was credited to you during the investigation out of your account.

How do I get my money back after I discover an unauthorized transaction or money missing from my bank account? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

How do I get my money back after I discover an unauthorized transaction or money missing from my bank account? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

Banks, therefore, employ comprehensive investigation procedures to combat fraud, protect their customers, and preserve their own credibility.

How do I get my money back after I discovered an unauthorized transaction or money missing from my bank account? ›

Step 1. Call the bank's fraud division…now!
  1. The sooner you contact the bank the better. ...
  2. No transactions occurred yet—no loss of funds.
  3. Within the first 2 days—loss limit of $50.
  4. Between 3 and 60 days—loss limit may be up to $500.
  5. Once you contact the bank or credit union, it usually has 10 days to investigate your claim.

Do banks actually investigate unauthorized transactions? ›

Banks, therefore, employ comprehensive investigation procedures to combat fraud, protect their customers, and preserve their own credibility.

Are banks responsible for unauthorized transactions? ›

Once you notify your bank or credit union about an unauthorized transaction (that is, a charge or withdrawal you didn't make or allow), it generally has ten business days to investigate the issue. The bank or credit union must correct an error within one business day after determining that an error has occurred.

How do I get a refund for unauthorized purchases? ›

Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back. Did a scammer make an unauthorized transfer from your bank account?

How long does it take to get money back from unauthorized charges? ›

While many cases can be resolved quickly, some are more complex and can take up to 90 days.

What do you do if you notice an unauthorized transaction on your account? ›

Contact your bank right away. To limit your liability, it is important to notify the bank promptly upon discovering any unauthorized charge(s).

Can a bank reverse a transaction if scammed? ›

Banks have a legal and ethical responsibility to refund scammed money to their customers. However, you can't always get scammed money back. Whether it's a lack of evidence or human error on your part, thieves can sometimes get away with your stolen funds.

Can you sue a bank for not refunding your money? ›

As a consumer, you are entitled to file a lawsuit against any bank, credit union or other creditor who violates your rights under the EFTA. In short, the EFTA allows a consumer to recover their actual damages, statutory damages of up to $1,000 and their attorney's fees and costs.

Who pays for unauthorized transactions? ›

Who pays for stolen credit card purchases? You may not be responsible for fraudulent charges if you report your card as lost or stolen and follow the instructions in your bank agreement. The bank usually pays for stolen credit card purchases. Sometimes, the merchant is responsible.

Do banks always refund Unauthorised transactions? ›

Transactions not made by you or anyone authorized to use your account are fraudulent, and federal law protects your money. Banks must refund you in certain circ*mstances, but the longer you wait to notify them, the more likely your bank won't refund stolen money.

Is a consumer liable for unauthorized transfers? ›

There are three possible tiers of consumer liability for unauthorized EFTs depending on the situation. A consumer may be liable for: (1) up to $50; (2) up to $500; or (3) an unlimited amount depending on when the unauthorized EFT occurs.

How long does a bank have to reverse a payment? ›

The National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) establishes the rules, deadlines and criteria for a reversal: The reversal request must be processed no later than four banking days from the settlement date of the payment. The reasons for a reversal are limited to: Incorrect payee.

How to dispute a transaction on Discover app? ›

1. Initiate a dispute online or by phone. To dispute a credit card charge with Discover online, log into your account and go to the "Activity and Statement" page under the "Activity" dropdown at the top of the page. From there, select the transaction or transactions you want to dispute and click "Dispute This Charge."

Can banks find out who used your card? ›

Bank investigators will usually start with the transaction data and look for likely indicators of fraud. Time stamps, location data, IP addresses, and other elements can be used to prove whether or not the cardholder was involved in the transaction.

What is Google 650 253 0000? ›

Using the Telephonic ways, you can have instant Google Nest product-related information. You can call the Google Nest Customer Support Phone Number, (650) 253-0000 / (650) 661 0004, and ask all the necessary information regarding its product.

Can my bank recover scammed money? ›

If you've transferred money to someone because of a scam

This type of scam is known as an 'authorised push payment'. Your bank or building society should reimburse you if it's registered with the Lending Standards Board under their Contingent Reimbursem*nt Model Code (CRM Code).

Can you reverse unauthorized transactions? ›

If you find something wrong, contact your bank as soon as possible. The sooner you contact your bank, the more likely you are to get your money back — and if the transaction is unauthorised, the sooner the bank can stop any further transactions.

Can I get my money back from a bank transaction? ›

The chargeback process lets you ask your bank to refund a payment on your debit card when a purchase has gone wrong.

What happens if you get scammed and lost money? ›

If you've handed over financial information or given money to a scammer, call your bank, credit card company, payment app or other financial institution. Many banks and cards will cover scams and return lost money, so ask them for a refund or to reverse the transaction.

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