What Is Section 75?

Section 75 is one of the strongest consumer protections in UK law. It forms part of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and makes 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 credit card company — 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.

When does Section 75 apply?

Section 75 applies when:

You pay using a credit card (not a debit card).
The purchase costs between £100 and £30,000.
You buy from a business (not a private seller).
There is a direct relationship between you, the lender, and the supplier.

The protection applies even if you only paid part of the purchase 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.

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

Purchases under £100.
Purchases over £30,000.
Debit card payments (these may be covered by Chargeback).
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

Normally, if something goes wrong, you must pursue the retailer. But if the retailer:

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

You can go directly to the credit card provider and demand repayment.

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).
Evidence of attempts to resolve with the retailer.

Step 2 – Write to your credit card provider

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.

In summary

Section 75 gives you double protection when you use a credit card. If a supplier breaches contract or misleads you, the credit card provider is equally responsible.

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