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Section 75 credit card protection

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with the seller if something goes wrong, for a single item or service with a cash price over £100 and no more than £30,000. It applies even if you only paid part of the price, such as a deposit, on the card.

Reviewed 23 September 2026 · applies across the UK unless a nation is named · sources listed below · how we check

What it covers

Section 75 covers breach of contract and misrepresentation: goods that are faulty, not delivered or not as described, and services that are not provided or not done properly. You can claim against the card provider as well as, or instead of, the seller. That is especially useful if the seller will not respond or has gone out of business.

The conditions

The cash price of a single item or service must be over £100 and no more than £30,000. The limits apply to each item, not the whole order.
You must have paid using regulated credit, such as a credit card.
There must be a direct link between you, the card provider and the seller. Paying through a third party can break that link.
Debit cards are not covered. Use chargeback instead.

Section 75A for higher-value purchases

For goods or services bought with a linked credit agreement, such as finance arranged at the point of sale, Section 75A can help where the cash price is over £30,000 and the credit does not exceed £60,260. It is narrower: you normally have to pursue the seller first.

How to claim

Write to your card provider, explain what went wrong and what you want, and include evidence such as your statement, receipt, photos and messages with the seller. If the provider rejects your claim, or has not given a final response within eight weeks, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free.

Time limits

The normal legal time limits for a claim apply, which are generally much longer than the chargeback window: see the guides for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Quick answers

Does Section 75 cover debit card payments?

No. Section 75 only applies to regulated credit, such as credit cards. For debit card payments, you can ask your bank for a chargeback.

I only paid the deposit on my credit card. Am I covered?

Yes, as long as the cash price of the item or service is over £100 and no more than £30,000. You can claim for the full amount, not just the deposit.

Does Section 75 apply if I paid through PayPal?

Usually not, because paying through an intermediary normally breaks the direct link between you, your card provider and the seller that Section 75 needs. PayPal's own buyer protection or a chargeback may help instead.

What if my card provider rejects my Section 75 claim?

Ask for its final response, then take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You can also go to the Ombudsman if eight weeks have passed without a final response.

Official sources

Check your own situation

The Be Consumer Wise app walks you through what you bought, how you paid and what went wrong, shows the right helpline for your part of the UK, and lets you ask ConsumerBot follow-up questions.

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Reviewed 2026-09-23. General legal information about UK consumer rights, not legal advice.