Section 75 is one of the strongest consumer protections in UK law. It forms part of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and makes your lender (usually your credit card provider) jointly responsible if something goes wrong with a purchase.

This means that if a retailer breaches contract or misrepresents goods or services, you can claim your money back from the lender, not just the seller.

Section 75 works alongside the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which sets out your rights when goods, services, or digital content are faulty or not as described.

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When does Section 75 apply?

Section 75 applies when:

  • 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.
  • You buy from a business (not a private seller).
  • There’s a qualifying debtor–creditor–supplier arrangement linking you, the lender and the supplier.

It’s the cash price of the item that counts, not the amount you put on credit. So the protection applies even if you only paid part of the price on your credit card. For example, if you paid a £200 deposit on a £5,000 holiday using your credit card, Section 75 can still cover the full £5,000. But a £90 item doesn’t qualify, even if it was part of a bigger basket.

Official legislation: Consumer Credit Act 1974, Section 75 – legislation.gov.uk

What problems does it cover?

Section 75 covers:

  • Faulty goods.
  • Goods not as described.
  • Services not carried out properly.
  • Misrepresentation (false claims made before purchase).
  • Company insolvency (for example, if a retailer goes bust).

If the supplier has breached your rights under the Consumer Rights Act, the credit card provider shares legal responsibility.

To understand how these two laws work together, see: How Section 75 and the Consumer Rights Act Interact.

What Section 75 does NOT cover

  • Items with a cash price of £100 or less.
  • Items with a cash price over £30,000 (though a lender may still be responsible under section 75A for some linked loans).
  • Debit card or charge card payments (these may be covered by Chargeback).
  • Credit from an overdraft or a general-purpose bank loan.
  • Payments by cash, bank transfer or credit card cheque, and cash withdrawals.
  • Private sales.
  • Indirect payment processors in some situations.

If you paid using PayPal or certain third-party intermediaries, Section 75 may not apply because the required “debtor–creditor–supplier” chain can be broken.

Why Section 75 is so powerful

Under Section 75 the lender is jointly liable with the retailer. You can claim from the lender as well as, or instead of, the retailer. You don’t have to wait until the retailer has refused before you claim.

Contacting the retailer first is often the quickest way to sort things out, and that’s fine to do. But Section 75 is especially valuable when the retailer:

  • Refuses to cooperate.
  • Ignores your complaint.
  • Has gone into liquidation.

The lender cannot simply tell you to deal with the retailer. They are equally liable under the law.

How to make a Section 75 claim

Step 1 – Gather evidence

  • Receipt or contract.
  • Credit card statement.
  • Proof of the problem (photos, emails, reports).
  • Any correspondence with the retailer, if you have it. It helps, but you don’t have to have complained to them first.

Step 2 – Write to your card provider or lender

State clearly:

“I am making a claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The supplier has breached contract / misrepresented the goods or services.”

Explain the issue and state the amount you are claiming.

Step 3 – Escalate if necessary

If the card provider rejects your claim or fails to respond within 8 weeks, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). This is free.

Section 75 vs Chargeback

Section 75 is a legal right. Chargeback is a voluntary banking scheme.

Section 75 is stronger because:

  • It is written into statute.
  • The lender is jointly liable.
  • It applies even if the retailer has gone out of business.

Read more here: What Is a Chargeback?

In summary

Section 75 gives you double protection when you pay with a credit card or other qualifying credit, for an item with a cash price over £100 and up to £30,000. If a supplier breaches contract or misleads you, the lender is equally responsible.

It is one of the strongest financial consumer protections in UK law and is especially valuable for large purchases.