What are my rights if my account was charged without consent?
Last updated: 2026-05-04 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
RA 11765 §4(g) (Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, 2022) requires financial service providers to obtain explicit consent for every fee or recurring charge and to refund unauthorized debits within 15 business days of written demand. BSP Circular 1160 makes failure to refund a recordable consumer-protection violation, and the Anti-Cybercrime Act (RA 10175) and Access Devices Regulation Act (RA 8484) may apply to credit-card or e-wallet charges.
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Frequently asked
Should I dispute with my bank or the merchant first?
Both. Notify the bank or e-wallet in writing within 30 days to preserve chargeback rights, and concurrently demand refund from the merchant. RA 11765 §6 starts the 15-business-day clock at the merchant's receipt of the demand.
What if the charge is recurring?
Revoke the standing authorisation in writing and screenshot the confirmation. Subsequent charges after revocation are unauthorised and must be refunded; persistence may also constitute estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
Where do I file?
Bank or e-wallet — BSP. SEC-registered fintech — SEC. Card-network dispute — your issuing bank's chargeback channel; if denied, escalate to BSP.
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More questions
Should I dispute with the bank or merchant first?
Both. Notify the bank/e-wallet in writing within 30 days to preserve chargeback rights; concurrently demand refund from the merchant. RA 11765 §6 starts the 15-business-day clock at the merchant's receipt of the demand.
What if the charge is recurring?
Revoke the standing authorisation in writing and screenshot the confirmation. Subsequent charges after revocation are unauthorised and must be refunded; persistence may also constitute estafa under RPC Art. 315.
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