How Refunder.ai Works
From mysterious charge to successful dispute in four straightforward steps. No legal expertise required.
Search your charge descriptor
Find the unfamiliar charge on your bank or credit card statement. Copy the transaction descriptor text (e.g., "AMZN MKTP US*2K7X1" or "PAYPAL *INST XFER") and paste it into our search tool. We maintain a database of over 50,000 known transaction descriptors and continuously add more.
Our AI-powered search uses fuzzy matching to identify charges even when the descriptor is abbreviated or truncated. You do not need to type the exact text -- partial matches work too.
Review merchant info and refund policy
Once we identify the merchant, you will see their official name, website, customer service contact information, and their refund/cancellation policy. This helps you understand who charged you and whether you can resolve the issue directly with the merchant before escalating to your bank.
Contacting the merchant first is recommended by all major banks and card networks. Having a record of your merchant communication significantly strengthens a chargeback case.
Follow our bank-specific dispute guide
Select your bank or credit card issuer to get a step-by-step guide tailored to their specific chargeback process. Each guide covers deadlines, required documentation, online vs. phone filing options, and tips for your specific institution.
Every bank has different chargeback procedures, time limits, and documentation requirements. Our guides cover major institutions including Chase, Bank of America, Citi, Wells Fargo, Capital One, American Express, and more.
Submit dispute with AI-generated documents
Use our dispute wizard to generate professional chargeback documents. Our AI analyzes your situation, selects the correct dispute reason code, and produces a ready-to-submit dispute letter and supporting documentation package for your bank.
AI-generated dispute documents include the correct Visa or Mastercard reason code, a formal dispute letter, a timeline of events, and a checklist of supporting evidence to attach. You can download everything as a PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about chargebacks and dispute resolution
What is a transaction descriptor?
A transaction descriptor is the short text that appears on your bank or credit card statement identifying a charge. It typically includes an abbreviated merchant name, location, or transaction reference code. These descriptors can be confusing because they often do not match the merchant name you recognize.
How long do I have to dispute a charge?
Under most card network rules, you have 120 days from the transaction date to initiate a chargeback. However, some banks have shorter windows (60-90 days), and certain dispute types may have different deadlines. We recommend acting as soon as you notice an unauthorized or incorrect charge.
Do I need to contact the merchant first?
While not always legally required, contacting the merchant first is strongly recommended by banks and card networks. Many disputes can be resolved faster through a direct refund. If the merchant refuses or does not respond, that communication record strengthens your chargeback case significantly.
Is Refunder.ai free to use?
Searching our descriptor database and reading bank guides is completely free. Our dispute wizard generates professional chargeback documents with AI assistance. We believe everyone should have access to the tools needed to dispute unfair charges.
What types of charges can I dispute?
You can dispute fraudulent/unauthorized transactions, charges for products never received, services not rendered, duplicate charges, billing after cancellation, charges for defective goods, and refunds not processed. Each dispute type has specific evidence requirements that our wizard helps you prepare.
Will filing a chargeback hurt my credit score?
Filing a chargeback does not directly affect your credit score. The disputed amount may appear as pending during the investigation, but it is not reported as missed payment. However, if a merchant sends an unpaid balance to collections after a failed chargeback, that could impact your credit.
Ready to get your money back?
Start the dispute wizard and we'll guide you through every step. AI-generated documents included.
Start Dispute Wizard