Start a dispute within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement
Discover gives you 60 days from the date a charge appears on your statement to report it as fraudulent, unauthorized, or incorrect. This is longer than the federal minimum of 60 days, and it starts from when the charge shows up, not when you receive your bill. If you wait past 60 days, Discover will not investigate the charge.
You do not need to wait for a bill to arrive in the mail. Charges appear in your online account within one to two business days of the transaction, so you can spot and report problems quickly. The sooner you report, the sooner Discover can freeze the card and begin their investigation.
Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days from the date a charge appears on your statement to report it to Discover, either online, by phone, or by mail.
- Discover will send you a temporary credit within two business days while they investigate, even if they have not yet confirmed the charge was wrong.
- The investigation itself takes 30 to 90 days, and Discover will contact the merchant to verify whether the charge was legitimate.
- If Discover rules in your favor, the temporary credit becomes permanent and the charge is removed; if they rule against you, they will take the credit back.
- Keep records of all communication with Discover and the merchant, including confirmation numbers, dates, and what was discussed.
Report the charge to Discover by phone, online, or mail
The fastest way is to call Discover's fraud department at the number on the back of your card. Have your card number, the disputed charge amount, the merchant name, and the transaction date ready. The representative will ask why you are disputing the charge — whether it was unauthorized, fraudulent, or billed incorrectly — and will create a case number on the spot.
You can also report online through your Discover account. Log in, find the transaction, and select "Report as Disputed" or "Report Unauthorized Charge." Discover will walk you through the reason and create a case number that you can reference later. If you prefer to put it in writing, send a letter to Discover's dispute address (listed on your statement or the back of your card) with your account number, the transaction details, and an explanation of why you are disputing it.
Whichever method you use, write down the date, time, and name of the representative you spoke with, or save your confirmation number. You will need this if Discover asks follow-up questions during the investigation.
Discover will issue a temporary credit while they investigate
Within two business days of your report, Discover will place a temporary credit on your account for the disputed amount. This credit is not a final decision — it is a placeholder while Discover contacts the merchant and reviews the transaction. You can use this credit immediately, but understand that if Discover later determines the charge was legitimate, they will remove it.
The temporary credit appears as a separate line item on your account, labeled as a dispute credit or provisional credit. Your available balance increases by that amount, so you can spend it or pay down your balance. However, do not assume the dispute is resolved just because the credit arrived.
Discover investigates the charge with the merchant
Once you report the dispute, Discover contacts the merchant to ask whether they processed the charge and whether it matches their records. The merchant has a set time to respond — usually 10 to 30 days — with proof that the charge was authorized and delivered, or to admit the charge was an error on their end.
During this time, Discover may also ask you for additional information. If you claimed the charge was unauthorized, they may ask whether anyone else had access to your card or account. If you claimed the item never arrived or was not as described, they may ask for order confirmation, shipping tracking, or photos. Respond to any requests from Discover as quickly as you can, because delays can slow the investigation.
The full investigation takes 30 to 90 days. Discover will notify you in writing — by mail or email, depending on your account settings — once they have reached a decision.
Understand what happens if Discover rules in your favor or against you
If Discover determines the charge was fraudulent, unauthorized, or an error, the temporary credit becomes permanent. The charge is removed from your account, and you owe nothing. Discover will also send you a new card if the original card was compromised.
If Discover determines the charge was legitimate and authorized, they will remove the temporary credit from your account. You will owe the full amount again. Discover will explain their reasoning in writing, including what the merchant provided as proof. At that point, your only remaining option is to contact the merchant directly and try to resolve the issue with them — for example, by requesting a refund for an item that arrived damaged or did not match the description.
Dispute a charge that involves a billing error or wrong amount
If the merchant charged you the wrong amount — for example, you were supposed to be charged $50 but were charged $500 — report it the same way you would report fraud. Discover will contact the merchant to verify the correct amount and ask them to issue a credit for the difference. These disputes are often resolved faster because the merchant can usually confirm the error in their own records.
If you were charged twice for the same purchase, report both charges as duplicates. Discover will ask the merchant to confirm whether the second charge was an error. Most merchants can spot duplicate charges immediately in their system and will request a refund on their own.
Protect your card after disputing a charge
If the dispute involved fraud or an unauthorized charge, Discover will issue a new card with a new number. Destroy the old card once you receive the replacement. Update any recurring charges — subscriptions, automatic bill payments, gym memberships — to use the new card number so those payments do not fail.
If the dispute involved a merchant error rather than fraud, you do not automatically get a new card. However, if you are concerned about the merchant having your information, you can request a new card from Discover at any time. Review your account regularly for the next few months to make sure no other unauthorized charges appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss the 60-day deadline to report a dispute?
Discover will not investigate charges reported after 60 days from the statement date. You can still contact the merchant directly to request a refund, but Discover cannot force them to issue one. Always check your statement within the 60-day window.
Can I dispute a charge if I authorized it but changed my mind about the purchase?
No. A dispute is for unauthorized, fraudulent, or incorrect charges. If you authorized the purchase but regret it, contact the merchant directly to request a refund or return. Discover cannot override a legitimate transaction just because you changed your mind.
What happens to my credit score while a dispute is being investigated?
The temporary credit protects your available balance and payment history during the investigation. The disputed charge does not appear as delinquent or unpaid on your credit report while Discover is reviewing it. Your credit score should not be affected by the dispute itself.
Do I have to pay the disputed amount while Discover investigates?
No. The temporary credit counts toward your balance, so you do not owe the disputed amount during the investigation. If Discover later rules against you and removes the credit, you will then owe the charge again.
Can I dispute a charge if the merchant is out of business?
Yes. Report the charge to Discover the same way you would for any other dispute. Discover will attempt to contact the merchant, and if they cannot reach them, Discover will review the transaction details and your account history to make a decision. Merchants that are no longer operating often result in disputes being ruled in the cardholder's favor.