A vendor took your deposit and disappeared: dispute the credit card charge within 60 days

When a wedding vendor takes your deposit and then disappears, whether you get it back depends mostly on how you paid. If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with the card issuer, and your written notice has to arrive within 60 days after the first bill containing that charge was sent. If you paid through a payment app like Zelle or Venmo, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it's "like sending cash," and it's hard to get back.

Below, in order: confirm what happened, report it according to how you paid, write the dispute letter, small claims court, and filing a report. The clock starts from the billing or payment date, so the sooner you act, the better.

Confirm first, and keep evidence

• Save the contract, receipts, payment records and every email and text exchanged in one folder; screenshots should show the dates.
• By email or certified mail, state clearly: the contract date, how much you paid, which obligation the vendor hasn't met, and your deadline for a refund or for them to deliver. Whether you later dispute the charge or sue, this letter is evidence.
• Confirm whether the vendor has really vanished, or whether the business has closed or changed its contact details. Check their website, social media accounts and business registration.

Report it right away, according to how you paid

What the FTC says to do for each payment method (checked 2026-10-22):

The FTC also states that once the money is gone, you may not be able to get it back, but it's still worth asking the payment provider whether there's a way to get a refund. On payment apps, the FTC's 2023 alert says paying with a payment app is like sending cash and is hard to get back, so confirm who you're paying before you pay (FTC, checked 2026-10-22).

How to write a credit card dispute

The FTC's explanation of credit card billing errors (checked 2026-10-22):

• Goods or services on your bill that were "not delivered as agreed" count as a billing error you can dispute.
• Your written notice must reach the card issuer within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was sent.
• Send it to the "billing inquiries" address on your bill, not the payment address.
• Disputes over unsatisfactory quality have extra conditions: the amount must be over US$5, the purchase must have been made in your home state or within 100 miles of your billing address, and you must first try to resolve it with the merchant.
• This process applies to credit cards and other revolving credit.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends calling the card issuer first and then sending written notice; keep copies, note the date of every follow-up call, and keep all the paperwork together (checked 2026-10-22).

In the letter, include: your name, the last few digits of the card number, the transaction date and amount, the merchant's name, and why the charge is wrong (the vendor didn't deliver and has disappeared), and attach copies of the contract and the demand letter you sent the vendor.

Small claims court

If the dispute fails, or you paid in cash or by transfer and can't get it back, consider small claims court. Limits and fees vary by state. Taking California as an example (California Courts Self-Help Guide, checked 2026-10-22):

• Individuals can generally claim up to US$12,500, and businesses up to US$6,250.
• Filing fees are about US$30–100, and you can apply for a fee waiver if you can't afford them.
• You can consult a lawyer before the hearing, but a lawyer can't go to court with you at the hearing.

For limits and procedures in other states, check your county court's website. Winning a judgment doesn't mean you'll get the money; if the other side has vanished or has no assets, collecting is hard.

Report it to the FTC

The FTC recommends reporting scammers at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. A report puts it on record; it doesn't recover the money for you. To get the money back, you still need the dispute or small claims court above.

How to pay the next deposit

• Get a written contract before you pay; the contract should spell out what will be delivered, the dates, and the cancellation and refund terms.
• Pay by credit card whenever you can, so you keep the right to dispute.
• Deposits are mostly non-refundable, so before signing, work out "what's the most we lose if we cancel" (see item 125 of the checklist).
• For the clauses in a venue contract to go through one by one, see 12 points to check before signing a venue contract.

This site doesn't recommend any particular lawyer or agency.

Common questions

If a wedding vendor disappears, can I still dispute the credit card charge?

You can try. The FTC lists goods or services "not delivered as agreed" as a billing error you can dispute, and your written notice must reach the card issuer within 60 days after the first bill containing that charge was sent.

Can I get back a deposit I paid with Zelle?

It's hard. The FTC says paying with a payment app is like sending cash. Still, contact your bank right away, ask them to reverse it, and keep all the records.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims court?

Taking California as an example, you can consult a lawyer before the hearing, but a lawyer can't go to court with you at the hearing; other states have different rules.

Deposits, contracts and payment methods are planning-stage pitfalls, and the wedding planning chapter of My Wedding Plan lists when to deal with each and what happens if you get it wrong. The checklist has a free version, and you can start without giving an email address.

Sources (checked 2026-10-22)

• FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed (checked 2026-10-22)
• FTC: Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this (checked 2026-10-22)
• FTC: Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges (checked 2026-10-22)
• CFPB: How do I dispute a charge on my credit card bill (checked 2026-10-22)
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Small Claims in California (checked 2026-10-22)

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