If a store refuses to refund you, you may be able to dispute the charge with your credit card company — and federal law gives you that right.

Here’s something worth knowing before you spend a single dollar: paying with a credit card gives you a backup plan that cash often doesn’t. It’s called a chargeback, and it means your credit card company may be able to reverse a charge on your behalf.

Federal law — specifically something called the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) — gives you the right to dispute certain charges on your credit card. This applies in situations like being billed for something you never received, being charged twice for the same thing, or being charged for something that doesn’t match what was described. The process is straightforward: contact your credit card company, explain what happened, and ask to dispute the charge. The FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) both confirm this is a real, legal option available to you.

Here’s how to actually use it: if a store refuses to give you a refund and you paid by credit card, don’t just walk away frustrated. Call the number on the back of your card or log into your account online and look for a way to dispute a charge. Explain what happened — for example, that you never received the item or were charged the wrong amount — and the credit card company will typically open an investigation. Keep in mind that filing a dispute doesn’t automatically mean you’ll win; the company investigates and makes a decision.

One important thing to keep in mind — this federal protection under the FCBA applies specifically to credit cards and revolving charge accounts. Debit cards are governed by different rules (the Electronic Fund Transfer Act) and generally offer less protection in purchase disputes, which is one real reason credit cards can be more protective than debit when you’re making purchases.

The single most important takeaway: before you give up on getting money back, contact your credit card company. Federal law exists specifically to help consumers in exactly this situation — but acting quickly matters, since disputes typically must be filed within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement.