How to Dispute Bank Charges in California (2026)

Call your bank within 2 business days to preserve the $50 liability cap. Then send a written dispute within 60 days of the statement date via certified mail, citing Regulation E (15 USC § 1693f). The bank must investigate within 10 business days and provide provisional credit if it takes longer. If denied, file a CFPB complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint and consider a formal demand letter.

60 days from the statement date under Regulation E (debit) and FCBA (credit card). Report within 2 business days for $50 max liability. Between 2-60 days, liability caps at $500. After 60 days, you may lose federal protections entirely — but California's UCL has a 4-year statute of limitations for unfair practices.

Yes. Common winning arguments: you never opted into overdraft coverage, the bank reordered transactions to maximize fees, the charge should have been declined, or the bank failed to provide Reg E disclosures. Call first, then follow up in writing. The CFPB has found most major banks reverse fees when customers formally dispute them.

Yes. Under Reg E, if the investigation takes longer than 10 business days, the bank must provisionally credit your account. They have 45 days total (90 for new accounts or foreign transactions). Failure to provide timely provisional credit is itself a Reg E violation that strengthens your case.

Reg E: up to $1,000 statutory + actual damages + attorney fees per violation. FCBA: forfeiture of disputed amount (up to $50). FCRA: $100–$1,000 statutory (willful) + punitive damages. RESPA: up to $2,000 statutory (pattern/practice). CA UCL: restitution of all improper charges. Many consumer attorneys take these cases on contingency.

Go to consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Select your product type (bank account, credit card, credit reporting, mortgage). Describe the issue and desired resolution. The CFPB forwards the complaint to the bank, which must respond within 15 days. Banks take CFPB complaints seriously because regulators track response rates and use them for enforcement priorities.

Dispute with the bank first — federal law requires giving them the opportunity to investigate. Document everything in writing via certified mail. If denied or ignored, file a CFPB complaint. If still unresolved, consult an attorney. Many consumer protection attorneys offer free consultations and handle FCRA, Reg E, and RESPA cases on contingency (no upfront cost).

Banks can close accounts per the account agreement, but retaliating for exercising federal rights under Reg E or FCBA can expose the bank to additional damages. If your account is closed after a dispute, document the timeline — retaliation significantly strengthens your legal position.

A bank dispute (Reg E) covers debit cards and EFTs — governed by federal law with mandatory investigation deadlines. A chargeback is the credit card network's dispute process (Visa, Mastercard) — governed by network rules plus FCBA. Credit cards generally offer stronger consumer protections, including the right to withhold payment during investigation.

Account details, specific transactions/fees disputed, dates and amounts, legal basis (cite specific code sections — Reg E § 1693f, FCBA § 1666, etc.), supporting evidence, specific dollar amount demanded, 14–30 day deadline, and a statement that you will pursue legal remedies including statutory damages and attorney fees if unresolved.