How can a customer dispute a transaction on their payment card?

When a customer wishes to dispute a transaction on their payment card, the most valid approach is to submit a chargeback to their card issuer. A chargeback is a formal request to reverse a transaction, initiated by the cardholder through their bank or credit card issuer. This process allows the customer to seek a remedy for unauthorized or incorrect charges and is governed by various regulatory frameworks designed to protect consumers.

When the customer submits a chargeback, the card issuer investigates the claim, which may involve communicating with the merchant as well. If the investigation supports the cardholder's claim, the transaction amount is refunded to the customer, and the merchant may bear the cost of the chargeback. This process ensures that consumers have recourse to resolve discrepancies and fraudulent activity on their accounts.

While contacting the merchant directly may sometimes resolve a dispute, it is not always effective or sufficient, especially in cases of fraud or when the merchant is uncooperative. Canceling a card can help prevent further unauthorized charges but does not address the disputed transactions already posted. Reporting to the police may be relevant in cases of fraud, but it does not directly facilitate the reversal of a transaction through the card issuer. Thus, submitting a chargeback to the card issuer is the proper channel for disput