RefundThis's AI can't write about the law on its own. It can only choose from the short summaries below, which we wrote from official U.S. government pages (checked Oct 15, 2026). They're general information, not legal advice, and state law may give you more rights.
Under the U.S. Department of Transportation's airline refund rule, an airline must refund the ticket when a flight is cancelled or significantly changed and the passenger does not accept the alternative offered (such as rebooking, travel credit or a voucher). The refund is due within 7 business days for credit card purchases and within 20 calendar days for other payment methods, to the original form of payment.
Used when: A US flight (or a flight to/from the US) was cancelled or significantly changed, and the traveler did not accept the alternative offered. · Source: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/what-airline-passengers-need-know-about-dots-automatic-refund-rule
Under the FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, a seller must ship when it said it would, or within 30 days of the order if it gave no shipping time. If it can't, it must tell the buyer and offer the choice of agreeing to the delay or cancelling for a prompt, full refund.
Used when: Goods ordered online, by mail or by phone did not ship or arrive on time. · Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/12/what-do-if-your-online-order-never-arrives
The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives a buyer until midnight of the third business day after certain sales made at home, at work, in a dormitory or at a seller's temporary location to cancel for a full refund (sales of $25 or more at home, or $130 or more at a temporary location). After a valid cancellation, the seller has 10 days to refund the money.
Used when: The sale was made at the buyer's home, workplace or dorm, or at a seller's temporary location (hotel, fair, convention), and the buyer wants to cancel. Not for online, mail or phone sales. · Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buyers-remorse-ftcs-cooling-rule-may-help
If you paid by credit card, the Fair Credit Billing Act lets you dispute billing errors, including charges for goods or services you didn't accept or that weren't delivered as agreed. Write to the card issuer at its address for billing inquiries so the letter reaches it within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you. The issuer must acknowledge your letter within 30 days and resolve the dispute within two billing cycles (no more than 90 days). You may withhold payment of the disputed amount while it's investigated, but keep paying the rest of your bill.
Used when: Paid by CREDIT card and the charge is wrong, unauthorized, or for goods/services not delivered or not accepted as agreed. · Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/using-credit-cards-and-disputing-charges
For a problem with the quality of goods or services bought with a credit card, you may be able to ask the card issuer for help and withhold payment if the purchase was over $50, was made in your home state or within 100 miles of your billing address, and you first made a good-faith effort to resolve the problem with the seller. (The dollar and distance limits don't apply when the seller is also the card issuer, such as a store card.)
Used when: Paid by CREDIT card and the problem is the quality of goods or services (not a billing error). · Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-X/part-1026/subpart-B/section-1026.12
For unauthorized debit card charges or electronic transfers, tell your bank right away. If you report a lost or stolen card within 2 business days, your liability is generally limited to $50; after that it can be up to $500. Report unauthorized transfers that appear on a statement within 60 days after the statement was sent. The bank generally must investigate within 10 business days.
Used when: Paid by DEBIT card or electronic bank transfer and the charge was not authorized by the account holder. · Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-my-money-back-after-i-discover-an-unauthorized-transaction-or-money-missing-from-my-bank-account-en-1017/
Federal debit card protections focus on unauthorized transfers and errors, so a dispute about what a seller delivered depends more on your bank's own policies. Contact your bank or credit union as soon as possible and ask whether it can help.
Used when: Paid by DEBIT card and the problem is with what the seller delivered (not an unauthorized charge). · Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/12/what-do-if-your-online-order-never-arrives
Security deposit rules are set by state (and sometimes city) law, including how long a landlord has to return a deposit and whether deductions must be itemized. Check your state's rules with your state or local consumer protection office or your state attorney general before you send the letter, and add the rule to the letter yourself if it applies.
Used when: A landlord kept some or all of a security deposit. · Source: https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer
If a bank, card issuer or other financial company doesn't resolve your dispute, you can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Used when: A bank, credit card issuer or payment company won't fix a dispute. · Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
If an airline or ticket agent doesn't resolve your problem, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.
Used when: An airline or ticket agent won't fix the problem. · Source: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint
Your state or local consumer protection office, or your state attorney general, takes complaints about businesses and may help resolve them. Some state laws give you more rights than federal rules.
Used when: Any business that won't resolve a consumer problem. · Source: https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer
If you suspect a scam or a bad business practice, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC doesn't resolve individual complaints, but reports help it take action.
Used when: The seller seems to be a scam, or kept money without delivering. · Source: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
If the company won't resolve it, small claims court is a lower-cost way to ask a judge to decide, usually without a lawyer. Limits, fees and procedures vary by state; check your local court's website or clerk.
Used when: The company refuses and the amount is worth pursuing. · Source: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/air-travelers-tell-it-judge
If the matter is serious or complicated, talk to a lawyer. Legal aid organizations offer free help to people who qualify.
Used when: Serious, high-value or complicated matters. · Source: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help