Overseas Credit Card Protected

In a case against a High Street Bank, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that consumers who use their credit cards to purchase goods abroad will be protected by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 in the same way as they are if they purchase goods in the UK.

This means that if the merchant selling the goods is in breach of contract or misrepresents the goods in any way, the credit card company is required to compensate the customer.

This will apply when:

  • a consumer uses a UK credit card to buy goods while abroad;
  • a consumer orders goods from a foreign supplier while abroad for delivery into the UK;
  • a consumer in the UK buys goods by telephone, mail order or over the Internet which are delivered to a UK address from overseas; or
  • there are face-to-face pre-contract dealings with a foreign supplier who is temporarily in the UK, or with a UK agent of a foreign supplier, but the contract is not completed in the UK.

With the holiday season now in full swing, holiday makers who use their credit cards abroad will be relieved to know they are still protected under UK law. The decision will also protect those who buy goods using the Internet.

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.
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