How to File a Bank of America Credit Card Dispute

A step-by-step guide to disputing a Bank of America credit card charge, from checking the charge to what happens after you file.

Written: October 5, 2026

When to dispute a Bank of America credit card charge

A Bank of America credit card dispute is the way to fix a charge that is wrong. Federal law calls these billing errors. Regulation Z says a charge not made by you or someone allowed to use the card is a billing error. A charge for the wrong amount counts too. So does a charge for goods or services not accepted or not delivered as agreed.

Bank of America says many disputed charges are real charges that people do not recognize or remember. Check that first. A shop may bill under a different name. Someone else on your account may have used the card.

One thing is not a billing error. Regulation Z does not treat a complaint about the quality of something you accepted as a billing error. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says defective goods or services may need a different dispute process. See valid reasons to dispute a charge for more.

Before you dispute: Check your statement and contact the merchant

Bank of America suggests calling the merchant first, since the merchant may fix the problem faster. Save any reply you get.

Also check that the charge has posted. Bank of America only takes disputes on posted charges, because pending charges may still change. If your charge is still pending, read can you dispute a pending charge.

Do not wait too long to try the merchant. Bank of America says most credit card charges must be disputed within 60 days of the statement date. Regulation Z gives the cardholder 60 days to get a written notice to the card issuer. Regulation Z starts the 60 days when the card issuer sends the first statement that shows the error.

How to file a Bank of America credit card dispute

Bank of America says disputing online is the easiest and fastest way, but you may also write or call. Use the dispute page in your Bank of America account for the exact steps.

Federal law sets what a written dispute must include. Regulation Z says the notice must reach the address the card issuer gives for billing errors. It must let the card issuer identify your name and account number. It should give the error's type, date and amount, and why you think it is wrong. Regulation Z says a notice sent electronically counts as written, if the card issuer says it accepts notices that way.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says to call the card company about a problem charge right away. It says you must also send a written billing error notice to protect your rights. Keep copies of everything you send, and write down the dates of any follow-up calls.

If you have a payment scheduled, Bank of America may lower it so you do not pay the disputed amount. Federal law covers this too. Regulation Z says card issuer autopay must skip a disputed amount if the notice arrives 3 business days before payment.

What Bank of America does after you file a dispute

Bank of America looks into the charge with the merchant and its bank, then contacts you with the results. Bank of America asks you to answer its requests for more information within 12 business days.

Bank of America handles credit card disputes under billing error rules set by federal law. Regulation Z gives the card issuer 30 days after it receives the notice to confirm it in writing. That written reply is dropped if the card issuer resolves the error within those 30 days.

Then comes the decision. Regulation Z gives the card issuer 2 complete billing cycles after it receives the notice to resolve the error. Regulation Z says the card issuer must resolve the error no later than 90 days after it receives the notice. The Fair Credit Billing Act sets the same limit.

If Bank of America finds the charge was posted in error, it corrects your account. Regulation Z says a card issuer that finds the error must fix it, credit the account and send a correction notice.

For more detail on this stage, read what happens after you dispute a charge.

Your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act and Regulation Z

The Fair Credit Billing Act is the federal law on correcting billing errors. It protects you while the dispute runs.

Regulation Z says you need not pay the disputed amount or its related charges during the dispute. It bars the card issuer from trying to collect the disputed amount during the dispute, such as in court. It also bars the card issuer from reporting you as late for not paying the disputed amount. It may report that an amount is in dispute.

Holding back a disputed amount cannot add finance charges to the rest of the balance. The card issuer can still collect the part of the bill not in dispute, and it can count the disputed amount against your credit limit.

Regulation Z bars a card issuer from closing or limiting an account because you used these rights in good faith.

What to do if Bank of America denies your dispute

Regulation Z says a card issuer that finds no error must explain why in writing. It must send copies of its proof if you ask. Ask for those papers and read them.

A denial must rest on a real look at your claim. Regulation Z says a card issuer must do a reasonable investigation before it finds there was no error. It cannot deny a claim only because you did not sign a sworn statement or file a police report. The Fair Credit Billing Act says a card issuer cannot deny a claim of goods not delivered unless it finds they were sent.

If a card issuer never explains in writing why there was no error, Regulation Z says it generally must credit the disputed amount.

Regulation Z gives a cardholder who still owes at least 10 days to pay before a bad credit report. The clock starts when you could be expected to have received notice of the amount owed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I dispute a pending charge with Bank of America?

No. Bank of America only takes disputes on posted charges, because pending charges may still change. Wait for the charge to post first.

What happens to my payment during a Bank of America dispute?

Federal billing error rules do not work like debit card rules. Instead, Regulation Z says you need not pay the disputed amount during the dispute. If you have a payment scheduled, Bank of America may lower it so you do not pay the disputed amount.

Can I cancel a dispute?

Regulation Z lets a cardholder who finds there was no error withdraw the notice by phone, electronically or in writing.

Can I dispute a charge I already paid?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says a charge already paid can still be disputed. It says money already paid likely comes back only after the card company agrees with you.

Can Bank of America reopen the same dispute?

Regulation Z says a card issuer that followed every step need not act again if the cardholder raises the same error. If you have new proof, ask Bank of America how to submit it.

For help getting ready before you file, see what to do before you dispute a charge.