Refund and consumer rights: United States

Key points

• No general right to return goods. Most returns depend on the store's own policy, so check it before you buy. Some states have their own rules on how refund policies must be displayed.
• Credit card billing disputes. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute billing errors, including charges for goods or services you didn't accept or that weren't delivered as agreed. Write to your card issuer within 60 days of the statement showing the charge being sent to you.
• Unauthorized debit and electronic transfers. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act limits how much you can lose from unauthorized transfers. The limit depends on how quickly you report the problem, so report it as soon as you notice.
• Cooling-off rule. The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you three days to cancel certain sales made at your home or at temporary sales locations.
• Airline refunds. Department of Transportation rules entitle you to a refund when a flight is cancelled or significantly changed and you don't accept the alternative. See US airline refund rules.
• Subscriptions and automatic renewals. Many states have automatic-renewal laws that require clear disclosure and a straightforward way to cancel. The details vary by state.

Where to get help

1. Contact the company in writing first and keep copies.
2. For card or bank problems, dispute the charge with your card issuer or bank.
3. Report banking, credit and payment problems to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
4. Report fraud and scams to the FTC, and contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office.
5. For airline problems, file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation.