Can I recover a charge I don't recognise on my card?
Yes, if the charge wasn't authorised. The payment-services rules (PSD2) protect you against unauthorised charges. If you spot a transaction you don't recognise or a fraudulent one on your card, you have the right to a refund from the bank, generally quickly (by the next day at the latest after reporting it), unless there was fraud or gross negligence on your part. You must notify the bank as soon as you spot it (and block the card). For direct debits (SEPA), you can reverse the charge without giving reasons within 8 weeks, and up to 13 months if the debit wasn't authorised. Keep the evidence and claim in writing.
📋 The rules
- Right to a refund of unauthorised charges from the bank
- Quick refund (by the next day after reporting at the latest)
- Except fraud or gross negligence by the customer
- SEPA direct debits: reverse within 8 weeks (no reason needed)
- Up to 13 months if the debit wasn't authorised
🔓 Exceptions
- Fraud or gross negligence by the holder (sharing the PIN, ignoring alerts)
- Transactions you did authorise: not 'unrecognised'
- Deadlines: report without undue delay once you spot the charge
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A bank that refuses to refund an unauthorised charge without proving fraud or gross negligence by the customer breaches the rules: you can complain to its customer-service department and then to the Bank of Spain. For you, the key is to act fast: report without delay as soon as you spot the transaction, block the card and report it if there's fraud. The sooner you notify, the greater the protection. Check your transactions often, never share your PIN or verification codes, and beware of emails and texts asking for your data (phishing).
📎 Official sources
- Bank of Spain · Unauthorised transactions and complaints →
- BOE · Royal Decree-law 19/2018 on payment services (PSD2) →
- Administración · Banking services →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I recover a fraudulent charge on my card?
Yes. For an unauthorised or fraudulent transaction, you have the right to a refund from the bank, generally by the next day at the latest after reporting it, unless there was fraud or gross negligence on your part. Notify the bank and block the card as soon as possible.
What do I do if I see a charge I don't recognise?
Notify your bank immediately, block the card and, if there are signs of fraud, file a report. Reporting it without delay is key to your protection. Keep the evidence and, if the bank doesn't respond properly, claim in writing to its customer-service department.
Can I reverse a direct debit?
Yes. For SEPA direct debits you can reverse the charge without giving reasons within 8 weeks of the charge. If the debit wasn't authorised (you didn't give the mandate), the deadline to claim extends to 13 months.
When won't they refund the charge?
When the bank proves there was fraud or gross negligence on your part, e.g. if you shared the PIN or verification codes, or if you actually did authorise the transaction. In those cases, the protection against unauthorised transactions doesn't apply.
What if the bank refuses to refund it?
Complain first to the bank's customer-service department and, if you don't get a satisfactory answer, to the Bank of Spain's conduct department. The bank must prove fraud or gross negligence not to refund an unauthorised charge.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “unrecognised card charge refund”
- “unauthorised transaction bank psd2”
- “reverse direct debit 8 weeks”
- “fraudulent card charge claim”
- “bank won't refund charge complaint”
- “reverse sepa debit 13 months”