Capital One let an unauthorized charge through? Here’s what to do
Summary: Federal law caps your liability for an unauthorized charge at $50 (often $0). Report it to Capital One right away, then lock in your rights with a written dispute within 60 days.
What to gather first
- The statement showing the charge (date, amount, merchant).
- Your card number / account details and any fraud or police report reference.
- Records of any earlier attempt to resolve it with the merchant.
Why Capital One let an unauthorized charge through
- A charge you did not make or recognize.
- A merchant you canceled that kept billing you.
- A duplicate or wrong-amount charge.
Step by step: what to do
- Call Capital One at 1-800-227-4825 right away to report the charge and, if needed, freeze or replace the card.
- Send a written billing-error notice through a dispute through the Capital One app or capitalone.com within 60 days of the statement — by certified mail with return receipt if mailing, so you have proof.
- Withhold payment on the disputed amount (but pay the rest of the bill) while it is investigated.
- Keep the dispute reference number; Capital One must acknowledge within 30 days and resolve within about 90 days (two billing cycles).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Only calling and never sending the written dispute — the call alone doesn’t fully preserve your rights.
- Missing the 60-day written-dispute window after the statement posts.
- Paying the disputed amount, which can weaken your position.
What to say when you call Capital One
- I’m reporting an unauthorized charge and filing a written billing-error dispute under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
- Please confirm I’m not liable beyond $50, issue a provisional credit, and give me the dispute reference number.
Know your rights
The Fair Credit Billing Act gives you the right to dispute unauthorized or incorrect charges in writing, and the issuer must investigate before holding you liable.
Regulator: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). If the bank denies a valid dispute, escalate to the CFPB and, for card charges, formally request a chargeback.
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Frequently asked questions
How much am I on the hook for?
Federal law caps your liability for unauthorized credit-card charges at $50, and many issuers make it $0 — especially if you report the card lost or stolen before it’s used.
How long do I have to dispute a Capital One charge?
You generally have 60 days from the statement date to send a written billing-error notice. Capital One must acknowledge it within 30 days and resolve it within about 90 days.
Can Capital One report me late or close my account for disputing?
No. While a charge is in dispute the issuer cannot report the amount delinquent, damage your credit, or close your account over it.