Chargeback vs Merchant Refund

A refund is a merchant transaction. A billing dispute asks the issuer to investigate under card rules and applicable law.

Start with the merchant when practical

For a cancellation, return, or service problem, ask the merchant for the stated refund and save the policy and messages.

Use the right dispute reason

Unauthorized use, duplicate billing, wrong amount, missing credit, and goods not delivered are different claims. State facts rather than choosing the closest dramatic label.

Do not double recover

If a merchant refund arrives while a dispute is pending, tell the issuer. You are entitled to correction, not two credits.

Track provisional credit

A temporary credit can be reversed after investigation. Do not treat it as final until the issuer closes the case.