Disputing a charge on your Shopify Credit account
As a Shopify merchant, it's important to maintain oversight of your financial transactions, including those on your Shopify Credit account. If you encounter a transaction you believe is incorrect, then you have the option to dispute it.
If you suspect that your Shopify Credit card has been compromised, lost, stolen, or fraudulently used, then you should cancel the card and request a replacement immediately to safeguard your account and prevent any further unauthorized activity.
On this page
- Understanding the difference between a dispute and a refund
- Eligibility for disputing a charge on your Shopify Credit business card account
- Compromised Shopify Credit business cards
- Pre-dispute actions
- Dispute a charge
- Dispute a fraudulent charge
- Canceling a dispute
- Resolution timeline and final decisions
- Understanding different types of card disputes
Understanding the difference between a dispute and a refund
A dispute arises when you identify an error or issue with a specific charge on your account, declaring that either the billing was incorrect, or the vendor failed to meet the agreed terms of service. This could involve cases of incorrect billing amounts, dissatisfaction with the quality of goods or services, or non-delivery of goods or services. The dispute process involves you formally contesting the charge through Shopify Credit (card issuer), who then investigates and mediates with the vendor to resolve the issue.
In contrast, a refund is a straightforward request made directly to the vendor for the return of money on a purchase, typically due to your change of plans, dissatisfaction with the purchase, or a decision to return the goods based on the return policy. Unlike disputes, refunds don't involve the card issuer in the initial stages and are handled directly between you and the seller.
The key difference lies in the how each type of dispute is resolved. Disputes involve an intermediary (the card issuer) and are based on claims of billing errors or failure to fulfill service terms. Refunds are direct transactions with the seller based on customer satisfaction or returns policies, without questioning the legitimacy of the initial transaction itself.
Eligibility for disputing a charge on your Shopify Credit business card account
Before initiating a dispute, it's important to understand the eligibility criteria:
- Transaction status: Only posted transactions can be disputed.
- Time frame: You must immediately report any disputes.
- Dispute categories: Eligible disputes fall into specific categories.
You can only dispute a purchase. Refunds can't be disputed.
Eligible dispute categories for Shopify Credit card transactions
You can dispute a charge on your Shopify Credit account for the following reasons:
- canceled
- duplicate
- fraudulent
- merchandise not as described
- not received
- service not as described
- other reasons
Compromised Shopify Credit business cards
If you believe that your Shopify Credit business card has been compromised, lost, stolen, or used fraudulently, then you should cancel the card and order a new one immediately upon detection.
Learn how to replace or lock your Shopify Credit business card.
Pre-dispute actions
Before disputing a charge, consider contacting the vendor and reviewing the transaction details:
- Contact the vendor: In many instances, reaching out to the vendor directly can lead to a quicker resolution. Consider attempting to resolve the issue with the vendor prior to filing a dispute. If you need a transaction ID, then you need to contact Shopify Support.
- Review transaction details: Ensure the transaction has been posted and verify that the transaction date is within the eligible dispute window (not older than 60 days except in the case of unauthorized use).
Dispute a charge
- From your Shopify admin, go to Finance > Credit.
- In the Transactions section, click the transaction that you want to dispute.
- Collect relevant documentation that supports your claim. For example, receipts, correspondence with the vendor, proof of return, and service agreements.
- Contact Shopify Support and provide details about the transaction, the reason for the dispute, and any additional evidence requested.
- Confirm that all information is accurate and ask Shopify Support to submit your dispute.
Dispute a fraudulent charge
If you detect a fraudulent transaction, then you can report it directly through your Shopify admin. This process allows you to handle the matter without the need to contact a Shopify Support Advisor.
When you report a transaction, your Shopify Credit card is immediately canceled and a replacement is issued. Virtual replacement cards are issued immediately. For physical cards, you can expect your replacement card to arrive within 5-8 business days. After you receive your new card, you should update any recurring payments with your new card details. You can also monitor the status of your fraudulent transaction report by viewing the transaction details.
Steps:
- From your Shopify admin, go to Finance > Credit.
- In the Transactions section, click the transaction that you believe is fraudulent.
- Click Report suspicious transaction.
- Optional: If you suspect multiple transactions are fraudulent, then you can click Add more to include additional transactions in your report.
- Review all of the transactions that you selected and then click Continue.
- Optional: Click Add a file to attach any relevant evidence that supports your claim, such as police reports or correspondence with vendors. Ensure that you exclude any sensitive information such as credit card numbers or personal passwords. Click Continue after attaching your documents.
- Optional: For physical cards, confirm your shipping address and then click Continue.
- Confirm your report by selecting I confirm that I did not authorize the selected transaction(s) and then click Submit report.
- In the Submit report and replace card dialog, click Continue.
Canceling a dispute
If you want to cancel a dispute, then you have 24 to 48 hours of the dispute being created to request that the dispute be canceled. After the dispute has been canceled, you can't attempt to dispute this transaction at a later date.
The option to cancel a dispute isn't available when you report a fraudulent charge through your Shopify admin.
Resolution timeline and final decisions
Disputes can take up to 90 days to be resolved, depending on the complexity and the specifics dictated by network rules (for example, Visa).
After you submit your dispute, it's reviewed by Shopify Credit's banking partners. You will receive email updates regarding the status and outcome of the dispute investigation. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, then your account will be adjusted accordingly.
The decision made at the conclusion of the dispute process is final.
Understanding different types of card disputes
The following table categorizes various types of card disputes, describes each dispute type, outlines the required documentation that may be required for processing, and provides examples of situations where disputes are acceptable or unacceptable.
Dispute type | Description of dispute type | Required documentation | Acceptable dispute examples | Unacceptable dispute examples |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fraudulent | Charges made without the cardholder's consent. |
| Unrecognized transaction appearing on statement. | Dispute on a transaction you forgot about. |
Not received | Goods or services paid for but not delivered as agreed. |
| Paid for a product that was never delivered. | Dispute for a delay when the delivery has occurred. |
Duplicate | Same transaction charged more than once. |
| Two identical charges appearing on a statement. | Charges for two similar transactions made on purpose. |
Merchandise not as described | Items received are different from what was described at the time of purchase. |
| Item ordered is a different color, model, or size than what was ordered. | Dispute due to buyer's remorse or change of mind after receiving item as described. |
Service not as described | Service provided is different from what was purchased. |
| Service significantly deviates from advertised quality or content. | Service complaints based on subjective experiences not promised by merchant. |
Canceled | Charges for services or goods canceled according to merchant policies. |
| Charged after order was canceled in accordance with the cancellation policy. | Dispute after canceling the service or product outside the cancellation policy window. |
Other | Disputes that do not fit into the standard categories. |
| Unexpected charges without a clear description or category. | Not applicable as the other dispute category covers a broad spectrum, each case needs specific review. |