When a company refuses to refund you?

Asked by: Mr. Drake Stracke I  |  Last update: June 23, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (2 votes)

If a company refuses a refund, first try escalating with the merchant (supervisor/written requests), then dispute the charge with your credit card company (chargeback), and if unsuccessful, file complaints with the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (FTC) to report patterns, before considering Small Claims Court or local consumer affairs reporters. Always keep detailed records (names, dates, emails) of all interactions.

What can I do if a company won't refund me?

If a company won't refund you, first formally contact them again, then dispute the charge with your bank/card issuer, and if needed, escalate by filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), your State Attorney General, and the FTC, or consider small claims court for larger amounts. 

What to do if a company is refusing to refund you?

When a company ignores refund requests, document all communications including emails and calls. Review the purchase terms and any refund policies provided. If informal attempts fail, consider sending a formal demand letter outlining the refund request and deadline.

Can you sue a company that won't give you a refund?

Many unethical and greedy companies, businesses and corporations are withholding your money. You don't have to accept a refund denial. Consumers have legal rights, if you have been denied a refund it may take a lawsuit to get what you deserve.

Is it illegal for a company to not refund you?

Before you buy, know the return and exchange policy.

When a store clearly displays a limited or no-refund policy, however, refunds and exchanges are not required by law.

What do I do if a company won't refund me?

41 related questions found

Do companies legally have to give you a refund?

Generally speaking, when you buy goods you enter into a legally binding contract and you have no right to return them for a refund. However, there are circumstances where a right to return goods may arise.

Is it illegal to refuse a refund in Australia?

Respect consumer rights

Businesses must follow the rules on refunds, repairs or replacements. You can't refuse a refund just because it's against a store policy.

How do I complain about not getting a refund?

Any aggrieved consumer can register his / her grievance by either calling the toll free number 1800-11-4000 or 1915 and talk to an agent or register himself once in the portal, get an userid and password and lodge his grievance himself attaching necessary documents, if any.

What to do if a company is ignoring you?

Complain to the organisation

We recommend that you do this by email, where possible. If you think personal information is missing from the response, you should clearly list what other information you think they also have. This will help them review their records.

How do I report a company to the BBB?

You can file a complaint online at BBB.org. Tell us what happened and what you want the business to do to make it right. Keep in mind, BBB can help with complaints that meet BBB's Complaint Acceptance Guidelines.

Can I dispute a charge if a company won't give me a refund?

If the merchant won't give them a refund, they can simply ask the bank to get them their money back instead. In reality, however, chargebacks come with significant downsides for both the customer and the merchant.

How do you force a company to give you a refund?

Write a Letter

  1. Give your name, mailing address, and email address. ...
  2. Give the basics. ...
  3. Explain the problem. ...
  4. Tell the business what you want. ...
  5. Include copies of relevant documents , like receipts, repair orders, and warranties. ...
  6. Describe your next steps. ...
  7. Make a copy of your letter to keep.

Is it illegal to not refund a customer?

You must offer a full refund if an item is faulty, not as described or does not do what it's supposed to. In some cases you must offer a refund if the customer changes their mind.

What are the laws around refunds?

A refund should be the full amount the consumer paid for the product. The business must not deduct an amount from a refund to take into account the use a consumer has had of the product.

What exactly are consumer rights?

These rights exist to keep the marketplace fair and protect you from bad business practices. Remember the 6 consumer rights: safety, information, choice, being heard, redress, and education.

What to do if a company isn't refunding you?

If a company won't refund you, first formally contact them again, then dispute the charge with your bank/card issuer, and if needed, escalate by filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), your State Attorney General, and the FTC, or consider small claims court for larger amounts. 

How to expose a bad company?

File a complaint with government or consumer programs

The BBB tries to resolve complaints against companies. Report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.

How do I sue a company for not giving me a refund?

Key Steps:

  1. Gather evidence of the transaction and attempts at resolution.
  2. Determine which court has jurisdiction over your claim based on the amount in dispute.
  3. File a complaint with the appropriate court and pay any required fees.
  4. Serve notice of the lawsuit on the company.
  5. Allow time for the company to respond.

What does a consumer court do?

The court mostly decides its verdict based on the violations of consumer rights (if any). The point of having a separate forum for consumer disputes is to ensure that such disputes are speedily resolved and make it less expensive.

How do I write a complaint letter about a refund?

To write a refund letter, follow a clear and formal structure:

  1. Start with your address and the date.
  2. Add the recipient's address.
  3. Include a subject line (e.g., Refund Request for Order #12345)
  4. Politely state the reason for the refund.
  5. Mention the amount, date of transaction, and relevant details.

What is Section 57 of the Australian consumer law?

Section 56 of the ACL provides that goods supplied in trade or commerce must correspond with their description. Section 57 provides that goods sold by reference to a sample must match that sample and that consumer must be given a reasonable chance to compare the goods with the sample.

Can you force a company to give you a refund?

Consumers seeking refunds can contact organizations like the Better Business Bureau, state consumer protection offices, or the Federal Trade Commission. Start by documenting your purchase and communication with the company. File a formal complaint with these agencies if direct resolution fails.