Does Section 75 protect online purchases?
Section 75 of the UK Consumer Credit Act gives you a joint liability claim against your credit card provider for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 — it applies to online purchases if you paid by credit card.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Section 75 is a powerful UK consumer protection that many people are unaware of or underuse. Under this law, your credit card provider is jointly and severally liable with the seller for a misrepresentation or breach of contract on purchases between £100 and £30,000. This means if the seller disappears, the goods are not as described, or the service is not delivered, you can claim directly from your credit card company — even if the seller is insolvent or based overseas.
For online purchases, Section 75 applies when: the purchase is made directly with a credit card (not through a third-party service like PayPal), the transaction is for a single item or service costing over £100, and the purchase falls within the £30,000 ceiling. Note that the full purchase must be over £100 — you cannot buy a £90 item and charge part to a credit card to bring it into scope.
One common misunderstanding: Section 75 does not apply to debit cards or charge cards. It specifically covers credit cards under the Consumer Credit Act. It also does not apply to purchases made through PayPal, because PayPal is the contracting party with the seller — not your card issuer.
For purchases under £100, Chargeback is still available as a scheme-level protection offered by Visa and Mastercard, though it is a voluntary scheme rather than a statutory right like Section 75. Both mechanisms are worth pursuing for any purchase where the seller has failed to deliver.
Common red flags
- UK online seller that delivers nothing after payment
- Item arrives significantly different from what was advertised
- Seller is insolvent or unreachable after payment
- Service contract breached with no refund offered
What to do now
- Contact your credit card provider and specifically mention Section 75 — use this language so it is processed correctly
- Provide evidence of the purchase, the seller's breach, and any correspondence
- For purchases under £100, request a Chargeback — also available on debit cards through Visa/Mastercard schemes
- Report the seller to Trading Standards and to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk)
- Visit /payments for a full UK and US comparison of payment protections
Frequently asked questions
Does Section 75 apply if I paid through PayPal?
No. When you pay via PayPal, the contract is between you and PayPal, not between your card and the seller. Section 75 requires a direct creditor-supplier relationship. Use PayPal Goods and Services protection instead.
Does Section 75 apply to purchases from overseas sellers?
Yes. The law applies based on where the card is issued, not where the seller is based. If you paid with a UK credit card for a purchase over £100 from an overseas seller, Section 75 applies.