Debit Card Fraud Claims
Debit card fraud claims have different protections depending on how the payment was made. If it was a bank transfer from your current account, PSR rules apply. If it was a card payment, chargeback is your main route.
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Protection coverage
Maximum recovery: Varies — chargeback has no cap / PSR £85,000 if bank transfer
Time limit: 120 days (chargeback) / 13 months (PSR if bank transfer)
Key points
Bank transfer from a debit card account → PSR rules apply (up to £85,000)
Card payment → chargeback available (120-day window, no minimum)
Unauthorised transactions must be refunded under Payment Services Regulations
Section 75 does NOT apply to debit cards — only credit cards
The Financial Ombudsman can review any complaint about how your bank handled it
The protections available for debit card fraud depend on exactly how the payment left your account.
If you made a bank transfer (Faster Payment or CHAPS) from the account linked to your debit card, the PSR mandatory reimbursement rules apply — your bank must refund up to £85,000.
If it was a card payment (chip and PIN, online, contactless), chargeback through Visa or Mastercard is your main route. There’s no minimum amount, but you have 120 days to dispute the transaction.
For unauthorised transactions (where someone used your card without permission), your bank must refund you under the Payment Services Regulations — this is different from APP fraud and has separate rules.
Common Questions
Debit Card Fraud Claims — your questions answered
A bank transfer (Faster Payment) moves money directly from your account to another account. A debit card payment processes through Visa/Mastercard networks. They have different protections — bank transfers are covered by PSR rules, while card payments use the chargeback system.
This is unauthorised fraud, not APP fraud. Your bank must refund you unless they can prove you acted with gross negligence or were involved in the fraud. Report it to your bank immediately and to Action Fraud.
We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis under a Damages-Based Agreement. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing. If we recover funds for you, our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered. The exact percentage is clearly explained before you sign anything, as required by SRA regulations.
The PSR mandatory reimbursement scheme applies to payments made within 13 months. For older cases, the Financial Ombudsman can consider complaints up to 6 years from the event, or 3 years from when you became aware. We can assess your eligibility during the free initial review.
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