Getting help
What if things go wrong?
When you use a credit card to buy something, both the lender (your card issuer) and the supplier (the people you're buying from) are responsible for your purchase. This means that if anything goes wrong with the supplier you can get your money back from the lender. For example, if the goods are not delivered or are faulty, you can claim your money back from either the lender or the supplier. This could be useful if, say, the supplier goes bust.
You are entitled to this protection by law (under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974), but there are exceptions. The credit card company is only liable for goods or services costing more than £100 and up to £30,000. This protection only covers credit cards. It doesn't apply to other types of plastic card (such as charge cards and debit cards).
If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may be able to take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service – see Making a complaint.
Can't keep up with your payments?
If you're having difficulty keeping up with your payments, don't ignore it. No matter how bad things may seem, the good news is that you can get free and expert help. Specially trained advisers can explain where you stand and your legal rights, as well as arranging the help of a debt adviser to suggest a way forward to your lenders – see Get to grips with your money.
Top tips
- Remember the protection that credit cards can give you if things go wrong with a larger purchase.
- Don't struggle alone if you have money problems. There are expert people who can help you for free.