Credit cards – refunds and protection 

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act is a law that protects credit card users from paying off debt for something they never received (or isn't quite right). It means BOTH your credit card provider and the person you bought from have to take responsibility for issues with your purchase.

If you pay for something using your credit card that didn’t get delivered, was damaged or not as advertised, and the retailer is refusing to refund you, Section 75 means you could get your money back from your credit card provider instead.

When can I use Section 75?

Section 75 can be used in most cases where you've paid using credit, and the product or service you bought must have cost more than £100, and less than £30,000. 

It's great protection when you've not got what you paid for, from holidays, to computers to pretty much anything you use a credit card (or other types of credit) to buy.

It can be particularly helpful if a company goes bust after they take your money, but before delivering the product or service you bought - because your credit card provider equally responsible for the amount you're owed, you're more likely to get your money back.

There are some exceptions, for example buying something using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), or a third party seller - but in these cases, you'll often get protection from chargeback. We have a complete list of what's covered (and what's not) in our full Section 75 rights guide. 

Am I covered if I just pay a deposit with my credit card? 

Yes, you get Section 75 protection for the whole cost of an item or service, even if you only pay for part of it on your credit card (and it meets the conditions for protection).

So, if you're planning a large purchase, its a good idea to pay at least a small deposit with your credit card. For example, you could pay just £10 of a £2,000 purchase on your credit card and still be covered for the whole amount.

What’s not covered by Section 75?

While Section 75 is great protection on credit card purchases, it only applies in certain circumstances. You won't be covered for:

• Products or services costing less than £100 or more than £30,000.
  
  
• Multiple items that come to a total of more than £100, but each individually cost less - for example, a suit where the trousers and jacket both individually cost £60 wouldn't be covered, BUT a suit sold as one item costing £120 would be. If in doubt, check how it's listed on your receipt.
  
  
• Products or services purchased through a third party seller, such as Amazon, a travel agent or PayPal (which credit card providers sometimes consider a third-party).
  
  
• Purchases made through a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) service, like Klarna, or Afterpay.
  
  
• Purchases made using your debit card, or in cash (even if you took the cash out using your credit card). 

The good news is that Section 75 is just one of the ways your purchases are protected when you use your credit card. The other credit card protection in your arsenal is chargeback.