A merchant double-charged me — how do I get a refund?
Last updated: 2026-07-11 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
The duplicate is money you never owed, so you are entitled to its return. Under the Civil Code's rule on solutio indebiti (Article 2154), anyone who receives something not due to them, delivered by mistake, must return it. First ask the merchant to reverse the duplicate in writing; if you paid by card, also file a billing-error dispute with your card issuer under RA 10870 §18 (within 30 days of the statement, issuer acts in 10 business days). If neither resolves it, escalate to the BSP under RA 11765, or file small claims for the amount.
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Frequently asked
What is solutio indebiti in plain terms?
Civil Code Article 2154 says that if something is received when there is no right to demand it, and it was delivered by mistake, the obligation to return it arises. A duplicate charge is exactly that — the merchant holds money it has no right to keep.
Card payment or cash — does it change what I do?
If you paid by card, use the RA 10870 §18 billing dispute with your issuer in parallel with demanding the merchant refund. If you paid cash or transfer, your claim is directly against the merchant under solutio indebiti; keep the receipts showing the two identical charges.
What if the merchant stalls?
Send a written demand with a deadline, then escalate: to the BSP under RA 11765 if a card/bank is involved, or file a small-claims case (for ₱1,000,000 or below) to recover the duplicate amount without a lawyer.
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