Guide · Credit card protection

Paid by credit card?
The card company is on the hook.

Fifty years old and still the strongest consumer protection most people never use: pay by credit card for something over £100 and the card company stands behind the purchase exactly as the seller does. Seller gone bust, ghosting you, refusing a valid claim? Claim from the bank instead.

1.Equal liability, in the Act's words

Consumer Credit Act 1974 · s.75 · Liability of creditor for breaches by supplier.
"has, in relation to a transaction financed by the agreement, any claim against the supplier in respect of a misrepresentation or breach of contract, he shall have a like claim against the creditor, who, with the supplier, shall accordingly be jointly and severally liable to the debtor. (2)Subject t"…
In plain English: If you buy something using credit arranged by the seller, and there's a problem with the goods or service, you can claim against the credit provider as well as the seller. This applies to purchases between £100 and £30,000.
§ Read the full text on legislation.gov.uk →

2.The conditions

The item or service must cost over £100 and up to £30,000 (the credit card only needs to have paid part of it, even the deposit), on a credit card or point-of-sale credit, for a breach of contract or misrepresentation by the supplier.

3.What to do

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This guide covers England and Wales; Scottish and Northern Irish rules can differ. This is guidance to help you understand your rights, not formal legal advice, and we're entirely independent: no affiliation with Citizens Advice, GOV.UK or any law firm. Every quotation above links to the official text so you can check us. Law verified current at July 2026.