Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with a retailer if something goes wrong with a purchase. It covers single items costing between £100 and £30,000, paid for wholly or partly by credit card.
This article explains what Section 75 is, what it is not, and how to use it. It is information only, not personal financial or legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, Citizens Advice or a regulated adviser can help.
What does Section 75 mean in practice?
Section 75 gives you a legal right to claim against your credit card provider if a retailer breaks a contract or misrepresents goods or services. The provider is jointly liable alongside the seller. That means you can go directly to your card company for a full refund or compensation, without having to pursue the retailer first.
This matters most when a retailer has gone bust, is uncontactable, or is refusing to engage.
What are the conditions for a Section 75 claim?
Three conditions must all be met:
- You paid by credit card. The card must be a regulated credit agreement. Most UK personal credit cards qualify. Debit cards do not.
- The single item cost between £100 and £30,000. The price of the individual item triggers the protection, not your total order. A £50 card payment on a £150 item still qualifies.
- There was a breach of contract or misrepresentation. Common examples: goods not delivered, goods significantly different from their description, a service provider going into administration before delivering.
You do not need to have paid the full amount on the card. Paying even £1 of a qualifying purchase by credit card can trigger the protection.
What does Section 75 cover and what does it not cover?
It covers:
- Goods or services where one item costs between £100 and £30,000
- Claims against the card provider directly, even if the retailer has ceased trading
- Full refunds or compensation for losses caused by the breach
It does not cover:
- Purchases below £100 or above £30,000 per item
- Debit card purchases
- Purchases made through a third-party payment intermediary (such as PayPal), where the direct link between card provider and retailer may be broken
- Business credit cards used for company expenses, in some cases
- Cash advances used to fund a purchase
The third-party payment point is worth noting. If you buy from a retailer via a payment platform that sits between you and the seller, your card provider may argue there is no direct creditor-supplier link, which is a requirement of the Act. MoneyHelper has useful guidance on this edge case.
How does Section 75 differ from chargeback?
These are two separate routes and it helps to know the difference.
| Section 75 | Chargeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Consumer Credit Act 1974 (statute) | Card network rules (voluntary scheme) |
| Cards covered | Credit cards only | Credit and debit cards |
| Minimum purchase | £100 per item | No minimum |
| Maximum purchase | £30,000 per item | Varies by network |
| Liability | Card provider jointly liable | Card provider asks issuer to reverse transaction |
| Can be refused? | No, it is a legal right | Yes, at the card network's discretion |
If a purchase falls below £100, a chargeback may still be worth attempting. If it is above £100, Section 75 is the stronger route because it is a statutory right.
How do you make a Section 75 claim?
The process is straightforward:
- Contact your credit card provider. Call or write to the customer service team and state clearly that you are making a Section 75 claim. Quote the Act.
- Set out the facts. Explain what went wrong: the item you bought, the cost, when you paid, and why you believe there was a breach of contract or misrepresentation.
- Provide evidence. Attach order confirmations, receipts, delivery notices, correspondence with the retailer, and anything showing the item or service was not as described.
- Keep records. Note the date and name of anyone you speak to. Follow up in writing.
The provider must acknowledge your complaint and respond within eight weeks. If it rejects the claim or does not respond in time, you can refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service at no cost to you.
What to check before you claim
- Confirm the item price sits between £100 and £30,000.
- Check that payment was made by a personal credit card, not a debit card or a third-party wallet.
- Identify the specific breach: non-delivery, misrepresentation, or company failure.
- Try to contact the retailer first where practical. Card providers may ask whether you have done so, though you are not legally required to exhaust this route before claiming under Section 75.
- If the retailer is still trading, a formal complaint to them in writing can sometimes resolve things faster.
For independent guidance on how to phrase your claim, Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper both publish step-by-step templates.
Frequently asked questions
Does Section 75 apply if I only paid part of the purchase on my credit card?
Yes. You only need to pay part of the cost on your credit card to get the full Section 75 protection, as long as the item costs between £100 and £30,000. The rest can have been paid by any other method.
Is Section 75 the same as a chargeback?
No. Section 75 is a legal right under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and makes your card provider jointly liable. A chargeback is a voluntary scheme run by card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. Chargeback has no lower purchase limit but is not a statutory right and can be refused.
Does Section 75 cover purchases made through PayPal or a third-party payment service?
Generally not. If a third party processes the payment between you and the retailer, the direct link between your card provider and the supplier may be broken, removing the Section 75 protection. MoneyHelper has further guidance on this.
How long do I have to make a Section 75 claim?
There is no fixed statutory deadline in the Consumer Credit Act itself, but the general six-year limitation period for contract claims in England and Wales typically applies. It is worth acting promptly rather than waiting.
Can I make a Section 75 claim against a debit card?
No. Section 75 applies to credit cards and some store cards issued under a credit agreement. Debit cards are not covered. For debit card purchases you may be able to use the chargeback scheme instead.
What if my credit card provider rejects the claim?
You can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) free of charge if your provider has not resolved the complaint within eight weeks. The FOS can direct the provider to pay if it finds in your favour.
Sources and further reading
- MoneyHelper, guidance on Section 75 and chargeback: moneyhelper.org.uk
- Citizens Advice, how to use Section 75 and template letters: citizensadvice.org.uk
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), consumer credit regulation: fca.org.uk/consumers
For the wider picture on credit cards, see our credit cards guide.
- Does Section 75 apply if I only paid part of the purchase on my credit card?
Yes. You only need to pay part of the cost on your credit card to get the full Section 75 protection, as long as the item costs between £100 and £30,000. The rest can have been paid by any other method.
- Is Section 75 the same as a chargeback?
No. Section 75 is a legal right under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and makes your card provider jointly liable. A chargeback is a voluntary scheme run by card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. Chargeback has no lower purchase limit but is not a statutory right and can be refused.
- Does Section 75 cover purchases made through PayPal or a third-party payment service?
Generally not. If a third party processes the payment between you and the retailer, the direct link between your card provider and the supplier may be broken, removing the Section 75 protection. MoneyHelper has further guidance on this.
- How long do I have to make a Section 75 claim?
There is no fixed statutory deadline in the Consumer Credit Act itself, but the general six-year limitation period for contract claims in England and Wales typically applies. It is worth acting promptly rather than waiting.
- Can I make a Section 75 claim against a debit card?
No. Section 75 applies to credit cards and some store cards issued under a credit agreement. Debit cards are not covered. For debit card purchases you may be able to use the chargeback scheme instead.
- What if my credit card provider rejects the claim?
You can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) free of charge if your provider has not resolved the complaint within eight weeks. The FOS can direct the provider to pay if it finds in your favour.