Missed the 120-day chargeback window on a UK credit card? You may still have years left — thanks to Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, one of the strongest consumer protections in British law, and one of the least understood.
Section 75 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with the supplier when there's a breach of contract or misrepresentation on a purchase of £100 to £30,000. If the company you bought from goes bust, refuses a refund for faulty goods, or never delivers, you can claim against your card provider instead.
It covers the whole purchase amount — even if you only paid part of it (for example, just the deposit) on the credit card. And it applies to purchases abroad as well as in the UK.
Here's the part most people miss: Section 75 claims are governed by limitation law, not by card-network rules. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you generally have up to 6 years from the breach of contract or misrepresentation to bring a claim. (Scotland has its own time limits.)
Compare that with chargeback's ~120 days. A sofa that falls apart after a year, a travel company that collapses eighteen months after you booked, a kitchen that was never finished — these are Section 75 cases, long after any chargeback window has closed.
One nuance: the 6 years run from the breach — when the problem occurred or became apparent — not necessarily from the purchase date. Keep records of when things went wrong.
| Chargeback | Section 75 | |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit | ~120 days from transaction (or delivery) | Up to 6 years from breach (E/W/NI) |
| Cards | Credit and debit | Credit cards only |
| Amount | No minimum | £100–£30,000 |
| Speed | Usually faster | Slower, more formal |
| Legal basis | Network rules | Statute (Consumer Credit Act) |
Rule of thumb: if you're inside 120 days, chargeback is usually quicker and simpler. If the amount is large, the supplier has vanished, or the chargeback window has closed, Section 75 is the stronger route. You can also pursue Section 75 after a failed chargeback — they're independent processes.
Section 75 is the long game — but if you're still inside 120 days, a chargeback may get your money back faster. Check both.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, generally up to 6 years from the breach of contract or misrepresentation. Scotland has its own time limits.
No — credit cards only. Debit card holders use the chargeback route instead (see our debit guide).
You're still covered for the full purchase amount, as long as the total was £100–£30,000.
Yes — they're independent. A failed or expired chargeback doesn't block a Section 75 claim.
