If you paid for goods or services using a credit card (or another qualifying form of credit, such as a point-of-sale loan), you may have protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 as well as rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

These two laws work together. The Consumer Rights Act sets out what standards goods, services, and digital content must meet. Section 75 gives you an additional way to recover your money if those standards are breached.

In simple terms: the Consumer Rights Act defines your rights against the trader. Section 75 makes your credit card provider equally responsible when those rights are broken.

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What the Consumer Rights Act Does

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. Services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Digital content must work properly and match its description.

If these standards are not met, you may be entitled to remedies such as:

You can enforce these rights against the trader and, where Section 75 applies, against the lender too.

What Section 75 Does

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes the credit card provider jointly and severally liable with the trader for breaches of contract or misrepresentation.

This applies where:

  • You paid some or all of the cost with a credit card, a point-of-sale loan (finance arranged by the retailer) or certain catalogue shopping accounts. It doesn’t apply to debit cards.
  • The cash price of the item is more than £100 and not more than £30,000. It’s the item’s price that counts, not the amount you put on credit.
  • There’s a qualifying debtor–creditor–supplier arrangement linking you, the lender and the business you bought from.

You can claim from the lender as well as, or instead of, the trader. It often makes sense to contact the trader first, because that can be the quickest fix, but you don’t legally have to wait for them to refuse or go bust before claiming under Section 75. Claiming from the lender is especially useful if the trader refuses to refund you, has gone out of business or ignores your complaint.

You can read the statutory wording of Section 75 on the official legislation site: Consumer Credit Act 1974, Section 75.

How They Work Together

Section 75 does not replace your rights under the Consumer Rights Act — it strengthens enforcement.

Example:

You buy a £1,200 sofa using your credit card. After two weeks, it collapses due to a manufacturing defect. Under the Consumer Rights Act, you may exercise your short-term right to reject and request a full refund.

You can claim the same refund from your credit card provider under Section 75, whether or not you’ve asked the retailer first.

The credit card company steps into the shoes of the trader.

When Section 75 Is Especially Important

  • The trader has gone bankrupt.
  • The trader refuses to engage.
  • The trader disputes obvious faults.
  • The trader is based overseas but the credit card agreement is UK-based.

Section 75 can be easier and faster than pursuing court action against the business.

How to Use Both Laws in Practice

  1. If you choose, complain to the trader first, citing the Consumer Rights Act. It’s often the quickest fix, but it’s optional.
  2. Contact your credit card provider or lender. You can do this at any time; you don’t need the trader to refuse first.
  3. State that you are making a claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  4. Provide evidence: receipts, correspondence, photos, and details of the breach.

If the credit card provider refuses your claim, you can escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Section 75 vs Chargeback

Section 75 is a legal right. Chargeback is a voluntary banking scheme. If you paid by debit card, Section 75 does not apply — but you may be able to use Chargeback.

For a full explanation of how Section 75 works on its own, see What Is Section 75?.

Key Takeaway

The Consumer Rights Act gives you the right to a refund, repair, or replacement. Section 75 gives you a second route to enforce that right if the trader fails to comply.

Used together, they form one of the strongest consumer protection combinations in UK law.