Consumer error notice
Section 1693f ties the error-resolution framework to notice within 60 days after the institution transmits the periodic statement reflecting the alleged error.
15 U.S.C. § 1693fElectronic Fund Transfer Act
Select any section to read the current official text. The briefing beside each citation is a short educational orientation only; applicability, exceptions, dates, and remedies must be confirmed in the linked source and with qualified counsel when needed.
Scope at a glance
- Electronic fund transfers involving covered consumer accounts
- Debit cards, ATMs, preauthorized transfers, and specified remittances
- Consumers and covered financial institutions or service providers
Key protections
- Required terms and transfer documentation
- Error-resolution procedures
- Limits and conditions involving consumer liability for unauthorized transfers
- Rules for preauthorized transfers, access devices, remittances, and waiver of rights
Report an electronic-transfer error
Act quickly. Liability and investigation rules can depend on when the consumer learns of and reports the problem.
- 01
Contact the financial institution using a verified number and secure the account or access device if needed.
- 02
Identify each transfer by date, amount, merchant or recipient, and why you believe it is an error or unauthorized.
- 03
Save statements, alerts, receipts, correspondence, and the report confirmation number.
- 04
Follow any oral report with a clear written notice when appropriate and use the address designated for errors.
- 05
Track provisional-credit and investigation communications and read the official statute plus Regulation E.
- 06
For scams, account takeover, or significant loss, consider law-enforcement, identity-theft, and legal-assistance resources.
Timeline reference
Initial investigation
The statute provides an initial investigation period and a longer process when provisional recredit requirements are met; exceptions apply.
15 U.S.C. § 1693fRead before acting
Important information
- Unauthorized-transfer liability can depend on prompt notice and the type of loss.
- Wire transfers and some payment services may involve different laws or exceptions.
- Do not send account credentials, PINs, or full account numbers through an ordinary contact form.
Subchapter VI
§§ 1693–1693rAll sections
15 U.S.C. § 1693
Congressional findings and declaration of purpose
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning congressional findings and declaration of purpose. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693 at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693a
Definitions
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning definitions. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693a at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693b
Regulations
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning regulations. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693b at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693c
Terms and conditions of transfers
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning terms and conditions of transfers. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693c at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693d
Documentation of transfers
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning documentation of transfers. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693d at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693e
Preauthorized transfers
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning preauthorized transfers. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693e at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693f
Error resolution
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning error resolution. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693f at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693g
Consumer liability
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning consumer liability. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693g at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693h
Liability of financial institutions
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning liability of financial institutions. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693h at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693i
Issuance of cards or other means of access
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning issuance of cards or other means of access. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693i at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693j
Suspension of obligations
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning suspension of obligations. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693j at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693k
Compulsory use of electronic fund transfers
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning compulsory use of electronic fund transfers. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693k at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693l
Waiver of rights
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning waiver of rights. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693l at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693l-1
General-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693l-1 at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693m
Civil liability
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning civil liability. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693m at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693n
Criminal liability
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning criminal liability. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693n at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693o
Administrative enforcement
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning administrative enforcement. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693o at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693o-1
Remittance transfers
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning remittance transfers. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693o-1 at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693o-2
Reasonable fees and rules for payment card transactions
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning reasonable fees and rules for payment card transactions. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693o-2 at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693p
Reports to Congress
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning reports to Congress. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693p at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693q
Relation to State laws
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning relation to State laws. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693q at the official U.S. Code ↗15 U.S.C. § 1693r
Exemption for State regulation
Provides the federal statutory framework concerning exemption for State regulation. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.
Read 15 U.S.C. § 1693r at the official U.S. Code ↗