DTC SOPs/Chargeback Dispute
Operations

Chargeback Dispute SOP

AY
Anand Yadav · Founder, ReccordSOP
·Last reviewed June 1, 2026

Chargebacks happen. Some are fraud, some are friendly fraud (customer doesn't recognize charge), some are legitimate complaints that bypassed support. Each requires different response. This SOP defines the dispute workflow.

Who needs this SOP

Every DTC brand processing card payments. Most acute above 0.5 percent chargeback rate.

Why this matters

Above 1 percent chargeback rate triggers card network penalties and potentially loss of merchant account. Below that, every chargeback is recoverable revenue if you respond well.

Step-by-step SOP

  1. 1

    Set up chargeback alert from Stripe/Shopify Payments

    Slack notification to ops team within minutes of chargeback filed.

  2. 2

    Categorize chargeback reason within 24 hours

    Fraud, item not received, item not as described, duplicate charge, friendly fraud. Each has different response strategy.

  3. 3

    Collect evidence based on reason

    Item not received: tracking with delivery confirmation. Item not as described: product photos + reviews + spec sheet. Fraud: AVS + CVV verification + IP location.

  4. 4

    Submit dispute response before 7-day deadline

    Late responses are automatic loss. Calendar block the deadline.

  5. 5

    Use Stripe Radar evidence if applicable

    Radar provides device fingerprint, behavioral signals. Submit alongside transaction data.

  6. 6

    Track dispute outcome

    Win or loss, document the reason. Patterns inform fraud detection improvements.

  7. 7

    Monitor chargeback rate weekly

    Above 0.5 percent triggers preventive action. Above 1 percent is emergency.

  8. 8

    Update fraud detection rules from patterns

    Each lost chargeback teaches you a pattern. Update detection rules to catch similar future attempts.

Tools involved

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ×Missing the 7-day response window (automatic loss)
  • ×Submitting same evidence regardless of reason (low win rate)
  • ×Not tracking outcomes, lose the learning
  • ×Reactive instead of proactive (responding to high chargeback rate after it spikes)
  • ×Not feeding patterns back into fraud detection

Make this SOP a living document

Record your screen while running this procedure. ReccordSOP captures every step with screenshots, then alerts you when the actual process drifts from documentation.

Try ReccordSOP free

FAQ

What chargeback win rate should I expect?

40-60 percent for legitimate disputes with good evidence. Lower for friendly fraud (customer disputes their own purchase).

When does chargeback rate become critical?

Above 0.9 percent triggers Visa/Mastercard monitoring. Above 1.5 percent is account-loss risk.

Should I dispute every chargeback?

Yes for fraud and item-not-received. Skip if customer has legitimate complaint you can't refute. Focus energy on winnable disputes.

AY
Anand YadavFounder, ReccordSOP

I built ReccordSOP after watching too many DTC ops teams lose months to undocumented workflows. These SOPs are battle-tested with Shopify operators running $1M to $50M brands.

Last reviewed June 1, 2026

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