If you notice an incorrect charge on your Bank of America credit card, you can file a dispute directly through the mobile app. Whether the charge involves a product you never received, a billing error, or a duplicate transaction, the process is straightforward when you know what to expect.
This guide explains how to dispute a credit card transaction on Bank of America and highlights two important requirements that many cardholders overlook.
Before You Dispute a Card Transaction
Before you begin the process to dispute a credit card transaction, make sure the following conditions are met:
The Transaction Must Be Posted
Bank of America does not allow you to dispute a credit card transaction while it is still pending. Pending charges are temporary and may change, disappear, or be adjusted before they officially post to your account.
Check your recent transactions and verify that the charge has a posted status before attempting to file a dispute.
You Need a Valid Reason
You should only dispute a credit card transaction when there is a legitimate issue, such as:
- An unauthorized charge
- A product that was never delivered
- A service that was not provided
- An incorrect billing amount
- A duplicate charge
- A recurring subscription charge after cancellation
Simply regretting a purchase is not a valid reason and may result in your claim being denied.
Open Your Credit Card Account
Start by opening the Bank of America mobile app.
From the main account screen:
- Scroll past your banking accounts.
- Locate the Credit Cards section.
- Select the credit card associated with the transaction in question.
This will open the account details page for that specific card.
Find the Transaction You Want to Dispute
Scroll down to the Recent Transactions section and locate the posted charge you want to challenge.
Tap the transaction to open the details page. Here you’ll see information such as:
- Transaction amount
- Posted date
- Transaction date
- Merchant information
Scroll down and tap Dispute Transaction.
Review the Merchant Information
The next screen displays details about the merchant, including:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
Bank of America may encourage you to contact the merchant first. In some situations, this can lead to a quicker resolution. However, if you prefer, you can proceed directly with the dispute process.
Tap Proceed to continue.
Start the Dispute Process
You’ll be shown a brief overview of the dispute process. Read through the information and tap Continue when you’re ready.
Next, Bank of America will ask an important question:
Do you recognize this transaction?
You will typically see two options:
Yes, But There Is a Problem
Choose this option if you recognize the purchase but experienced an issue with the product, service, or billing.
This is the most common scenario when customers need to dispute a credit card transaction.
No, I Don’t Recognize This Transaction
Select this option if you believe the charge is fraudulent.
If you suspect fraud, immediately lock your card through the Bank of America app and contact Bank of America’s fraud department. Fraud claims are handled differently from standard disputes and require additional security measures.
Answer the Follow-Up Questions
Once you select the appropriate dispute category, Bank of America will ask several follow-up questions to determine exactly what happened.
The questions vary depending on your situation and may cover issues such as:
- Merchandise not received
- Service not provided
- Incorrect billing amount
- Partial delivery
- Duplicate transactions
Answer every question accurately and honestly.
Provide a Detailed Explanation
One of the most important parts of the process is the explanation section.
When asked to describe the issue:
- Explain what you purchased
- Describe what went wrong
- Mention any steps you’ve already taken to resolve the problem
- Include relevant details and dates
The more specific your explanation, the easier it is for the dispute team to understand your claim.
Bank of America requires information in this field before allowing you to proceed.
Review and Submit Your Claim
After completing all required questions, you’ll arrive at the review screen.
Take a moment to verify:
- Account information
- Merchant details
- Dispute reason
- Transaction amount
- Relevant dates
If everything looks correct, tap Submit Dispute.
This final step officially files your claim.
What Happens After You Submit?
Once you dispute a credit card transaction, Bank of America begins an investigation with the merchant and the merchant’s bank.
You can monitor updates through your communication inbox within the app.
During the review process, you generally won’t be charged interest on the disputed amount while the investigation is ongoing.
Conclusion
Learning how to dispute a credit card transaction on Bank of America can help you quickly address billing errors and unauthorized charges. Remember that the transaction must be posted, not pending, and you must have a legitimate reason for filing a dispute.
When you dispute a credit card transaction correctly and provide detailed information, Bank of America handles the investigation process and works toward a resolution on your behalf.
