You filed the dispute. Now comes the hard part: waiting. Days or weeks pass, the temporary credit is sitting in your account, and you have no idea what's actually happening with your case.
Here's how to check your dispute status, what each status actually means, and when silence from your bank is normal — versus when it's time to chase them.
Where to check: your issuer's dispute tracker
Nearly every major issuer now lets you track disputes online. Look for one of these (names vary by bank):
In the app or website: a "dispute center," "claims tracker," or a status line on the transaction itself. This is the fastest route — it shows the current stage and any requests for documents.
Secure message / chat: useful if the online status is vague; ask for a plain-English update and quote your reference number.
Phone: the fallback when online tracking shows nothing. Have your dispute or case reference number ready — it was issued when you filed.
Whatever channel you use, have your reference number handy. Without it, even the bank's own staff can struggle to find your case quickly.
Information to have ready before you check
A two-minute prep makes every status check more productive. Have these to hand:
Your dispute or case reference number — issued when you filed. Without it, even the bank's staff can struggle to locate your case.
The transaction details: date, amount, and merchant name exactly as they appear on your statement.
When you filed — so you can tell at a glance whether the timeline is normal or stalling.
Your evidence file: receipts, screenshots, photos. If the status shows "information requested," you want to respond immediately, not go hunting for documents.
If you filed by phone and never received a reference number, call back and ask for one before doing anything else — it's the key to every future interaction about the case.
What the statuses mean
Exact wording differs between issuers, but most disputes move through the same stages:
Submitted / received — your dispute is logged and queued. Nothing has been decided; this stage usually lasts days.
Under review / investigating — the issuer is examining your claim and evidence under the card network's rules. This is the longest stage and can run for weeks. Silence here is normal.
Awaiting merchant response — the dispute has been sent to the merchant's bank, and the merchant has a limited window (usually weeks) to accept it or fight back with evidence.
Provisional credit issued — you've been given a temporary refund while the investigation continues. Remember: it's reversible until the case closes.
Resolved in your favor — the credit is now permanent and the case is closed. This is the finish line.
Denied / resolved in merchant's favor — the charge stands and any provisional credit is reversed. You may still have options, such as reopening with new evidence.
Information requested — the issuer needs more from you (receipts, photos, a written statement). Treat this as urgent: your reply can have its own deadline.
When to follow up — and when to sit tight
A dispute commonly takes 30 to 90 days from filing to a final decision, so no movement for two or three weeks is not a problem. Checking the tracker weekly is plenty. Follow up proactively when:
Nothing has changed in about 30 days. A polite status request keeps your case from stalling silently.
The issuer asks you for anything. Respond the same day if you can — document requests can carry short deadlines, and a missed one can sink an otherwise winnable dispute.
Your provisional credit disappears unexpectedly. That usually means a decision was made; ask for the outcome in writing.
You're approaching 90 days with no decision. Ask for a timeline and escalate to a supervisor or the bank's formal complaints process if needed.
Keep a simple log: dates you checked, who you spoke to, and what was said. If the dispute ever needs reopening — or a regulator complaint — that log becomes evidence of your diligence.
Know your deadline before you file
A chargeback is only useful if you file it in time. Enter your card network and dates to get your exact deadline.
In your issuer's app or website — look for a dispute center, claims tracker, or a status line on the transaction. Phone and secure message work as backups; have your reference number ready.
Your issuer is investigating the claim under the card network's rules. It's the longest stage, often lasting weeks, and silence during it is normal.
Commonly 30 to 90 days from filing to a final decision. If you've heard nothing after about 30 days, a polite follow-up is reasonable.
Probably not — disputes spend most of their life in “under review” or waiting on the merchant. Check weekly; escalate only if a month passes with zero movement.
In most cases, yes — and you should, as soon as possible. Send it through the same channel you filed in, quoting your reference number.
General information only — not legal advice. Statutes and network rules change; your cardholder agreement may differ. Verify deadlines with your issuer.
