When a crypto scam was paid with a UK credit card, there is a law many victims miss. Section 75 can make the card provider share liability for the loss. This guide explains where it helps, where it fails, and how to put in a claim.
What Section 75 actually covers
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes your credit card provider jointly responsible with the seller when something goes wrong. It applies to a single item that cost more than 100 pounds and no more than 30,000 pounds. If you paid for a service that turned out to be a scam, this joint liability can be a real route to a refund.
Paid a crypto scam by credit card?
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The link that decides your claim
The protection depends on a direct link between you, the card and the trader. If your card paid the scam platform directly, the link is strong. If your card first bought crypto at a genuine exchange, and you then sent that crypto on to the scammer, the chain is broken, because the exchange delivered exactly what you bought. This single point decides most claims.
| How you paid | Section 75 chance |
|---|---|
| Card paid the scam platform directly | Stronger |
| Card bought crypto, then you sent it on | Weak, the chain breaks |
| Debit card or bank transfer | Section 75 does not apply |
If you used a debit card or transfer
Section 75 is for credit cards only. If you used a debit card, ask about chargeback instead, which is a scheme rule rather than a law. If you sent a bank transfer, look at the reimbursement rules your bank follows for authorised push payment fraud. Different route, same goal.
How to make the claim
- Gather card statements showing the payments to the platform.
- Write a short timeline of the scam from first contact to loss.
- Tell the card provider you are making a Section 75 claim and why.
- Keep every reply and reference number in one place.
- If refused unfairly, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
What strengthens your case
- Statements that name the scam platform
- Messages that show what you were promised
- Proof the service was never delivered
- A crime reference from your report
Does Section 75 cover debit cards?
No. It is credit cards only. Debit cards use chargeback, which is a scheme rule, not a law.
Why was my claim refused? Often because the card bought crypto first, which broke the direct link to the trader. You can still escalate to the Ombudsman.
section 75 claims credit card crypto: A real example
A man paid 4,000 pounds by credit card straight to a fake investment site. Because the card paid the platform directly, his Section 75 claim had a clear link and his provider refunded him. A friend who first bought crypto on a real exchange, then transferred it on, was refused, because the exchange had delivered what he asked for. Same scam, two outcomes, decided by how the money moved.
⚠ In short
- Section 75 can share liability on credit card losses.
- It needs a direct link between you, the card and the trader.
- Buying crypto first usually breaks that link.
section 75 claims credit card crypto: Key takeaways
- Section 75 can share liability on credit card losses.
- It needs a direct link between you, the card and the trader.
- Buying crypto first usually breaks that link.
- Refused unfairly, escalate to the Ombudsman.
section 75 claims credit card crypto: Keep reading
- Were You Used as a Money Mule Without Knowing?
- How Long Do You Have to Claim a Scam Refund?
- Crypto Scam Claims: What Your Bank Must Check
- Crypto Chargeback on a Debit Card: Does It Work?
- Tricked Into a Bank Transfer? Can You Get a Refund?
Search ReclaimDC section 75 credit card crypto refund on Google, Bing, YouTube, TikTok or ask ChatGPT.
#section75 #chargeback #creditcard #scamhelp #reclaimdc
General information only. ReclaimDC does not promise any recovery outcome.
Want help preparing a Section 75 claim?
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