---
title: "Accel & STAR chargebacks"
description: "Learn about the Accel & STAR chargeback process and the guidelines to defend a chargeback."
url: "https://docs.adyen.com/risk-management/chargeback-guidelines/accel-star-chargebacks"
source_url: "https://docs.adyen.com/risk-management/chargeback-guidelines/accel-star-chargebacks.md"
canonical: "https://docs.adyen.com/risk-management/chargeback-guidelines/accel-star-chargebacks"
last_modified: "2026-06-01T15:33:16+02:00"
language: "en"
---

# Accel & STAR chargebacks

Learn about the Accel & STAR chargeback process and the guidelines to defend a chargeback.

[View source](/risk-management/chargeback-guidelines/accel-star-chargebacks.md)

The timeframe for an issuing bank to initiate a chargeback for an Accel or STAR transaction varies based on the reason code:

* **75 days** from the transaction date for [Authorization](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes?tab=chargeback_0_1#star-authorization-chargebacks) reason codes.
* **90 days** from the transaction date for [Processing error](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes?tab=chargeback_0_1#star-processing-error-chargebacks) reason codes.
* **120 days** from the transaction date for other reason codes.

When Accel or STAR opens a dispute, the disputed funds are debited from your account. You then have **30 days** to defend or accept the dispute.

Accel and STAR have two dispute resolution flows:

* [Fraud dispute flow](#fraud-dispute-flow) (for [Fraud](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes?tab=chargeback_0_1#accel-star-fraud-chargebacks) reason codes)
* [Non-fraud dispute flow](#non-fraud-dispute-flow) (all other reason codes)

## Fraud dispute flow

The Accel and STAR resolution flow for disputes with [Fraud](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes?tab=chargeback_0_1#accel-star-fraud-chargebacks) reason codes is as follows:

1. [Notification of Chargeback](#noc-fraud-flow)
2. [First Chargeback](#1st-chargeback-fraud-flow)
3. [Information Supplied](#information-supplied-fraud-flow)
4. [Pre-arbitration](#pre-arbitration-fraud-flow)
5. [Chargeback Reversed](#chargeback-reversed-fraud-flow)

![Accel and STAR resolution flow for disputes with Fraud reason codes](/user/pages/docs/10.risk-management/21.chargeback-guidelines/accel-star-chargebacks/accel-star-fraud-dispute-flow.png)

### Notification of Chargeback

The issuing bank initiated a Notification of Chargeback (NoC). The NoC can occur immediately after the payment status changes to Settled or Refunded. We send you a [NOTIFICATION\_OF\_CHARGEBACK](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/NOTIFICATION_OF_CHARGEBACK) webhook. The dispute process has started, and money will be withdrawn from your account.

The chargeback debit usually occurs a few days after you receive the NoC.

The 30-day period in which you can defend the dispute starts now.

### First Chargeback

The issuing bank initiates the first chargeback on behalf of the cardholder by sending a chargeback notification to Adyen stating the [dispute reason](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes#star-chargebacks).

We assign the dispute to you for review in your [Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) > **Revenue & risk** > **Disputes**. The **NotificationOfChargeback** and **Chargeback** journals are booked, and we send you a [CHARGEBACK](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/CHARGEBACK) webhook. At the same time, your account is debited for the chargeback amount.

After your review, you can decide to either:

* Accept the chargeback in your [Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) or using the [Disputes API](/risk-management/disputes-api). The case will be closed for defense.

* Defend the dispute. You need to upload the relevant defense documents in your [Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) or using the [Disputes API](/risk-management/disputes-api).\
  See [Defense requirements](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes#defense_requirements) for file formats and for defense documents per dispute type. Be sure to address the dispute reason and provide information that supports your position. An overview of the order details is not enough.

  You must provide your defense documents within **30 days after receiving the NoC**. There is no opportunity later in the process to provide information or to update information you provided.

### Information Supplied

Adyen received your defense documents and forwarded them to the scheme. It is no longer possible to change these documents. The **InformationSupplied** journal is booked and we send you an [**INFORMATION\_SUPPLIED** ](/risk-management/disputes-api/dispute-notifications/#information_supplied)webhook.

### Pre-arbitration

Adyen automatically creates a pre-arbitration case containing your documents and forwards them to the issuing bank. The bank has **30 days** to review the documents and respond by accepting or declining the case.

If the bank accepts the pre-arbitration, we book the **PreArbitrationWon** and **ChargebackReversed** journals. **ChargebackReversed** is the final status.

If the bank declines the pre-arbitration, we book a **PreArbitrationLost** journal. The status of the dispute remains **Chargeback**.

### Chargeback Reversed

Because the pre-arbitration was resolved in your favor, the disputed amount is transferred back to your account. The **ChargebackReversed** journal is booked and we send you a [CHARGEBACK\_REVERSED](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/CHARGEBACK_REVERSED) webhook. **ChargebackReversed** is the final status of the dispute.

## Non-fraud dispute flow

The Accel and STAR resolution flow for non-fraud disputes is as follows:

1. [Notification of Chargeback](#noc-non-fraud-flow)
2. [First Chargeback](#1st-chargeback-non-fraud-flow)
3. [Information Supplied](#information-supplied-non-fraud-flow)
4. [Chargeback Reversed](#chargeback-reversed-non-fraud-flow)
5. [Pre-arbitration](#pre-arbitration-non-fraud-flow)
6. [Second Chargeback](#2nd-chargeback-non-fraud-flow)

![Accel and STAR resolution flow for non-fraud disputes](/user/pages/docs/10.risk-management/21.chargeback-guidelines/accel-star-chargebacks/accel-star-non-fraud-dispute-flow.png)

### Notification of Chargeback

The issuing bank initiated a Notification of Chargeback (NoC). The NoC can occur immediately after the payment status changes to Settled or Refunded. We send you a [NOTIFICATION\_OF\_CHARGEBACK](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/NOTIFICATION_OF_CHARGEBACK) webhook. The dispute process has started, and money will be withdrawn from your account.

The chargeback debit usually occurs a few days after you receive the NoC.

The 30-day period in which you can defend the dispute starts now.

### First Chargeback

The issuing bank initiates the first chargeback on behalf of the cardholder by sending a chargeback notification to Adyen stating the [dispute reason](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes#star-chargebacks).

We assign the dispute to you for review in your [Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) > **Revenue & risk** > **Disputes**. The **NotificationOfChargeback** and **Chargeback** journals are booked, and we send you a [CHARGEBACK](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/CHARGEBACK) webhook. At the same time, your account is debited for the chargeback amount.

After your review, you can decide to either:

* Accept the chargeback in your [Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) or using the [Disputes API](/risk-management/disputes-api). The case will be closed for defense.

* Defend the dispute. You need to upload the relevant defense documents in your [Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) or using the [Disputes API](/risk-management/disputes-api).\
  See [Defense requirements](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes#defense_requirements) for file formats and for defense documents per dispute type. Be sure to address the dispute reason and provide information that supports your position. An overview of the order details is not enough.

  You must provide your defense documents within **30 days after receiving the NoC**. There is no opportunity later in the process to provide information or to update information you provided.

### Information Supplied

Adyen received your defense documents and forwarded them to the scheme. It is no longer possible to change these documents. The **InformationSupplied** journal is booked and we send you an [**INFORMATION\_SUPPLIED** ](/risk-management/disputes-api/dispute-notifications/#information_supplied)webhook.

### Chargeback Reversed

The disputed amount is temporarily transferred back to your account while the issuing bank reviews your defense. The **ChargebackReversed** journal is booked and we send you a [CHARGEBACK\_REVERSED](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/CHARGEBACK_REVERSED) webhook.

If the issuing bank accepts your defense, this becomes the final status and the case is closed.

### Pre-arbitration

After reviewing your defense, the cardholder can challenge your evidence. If this occurs, the issuing bank initiates a pre-arbitration case and sends it to Adyen within **30 days** of the **ChargebackReversed** date.

### Second Chargeback

If Adyen accepts their pre-arbitration case, a second chargeback occurs.

The chargeback amount that was previously returned to your account is debited from your account again. The **SecondChargeback** journal is booked, and we send you a [SECOND\_CHARGEBACK](https://docs.adyen.com/api-explorer/Webhooks/latest/post/SECOND_CHARGEBACK) webhook. This is the final status.

## See also

* [Accel & STAR dispute reasons](/risk-management/understanding-disputes/dispute-reason-codes?tab=chargeback_0_1#accel-star-chargebacks)
* [Dispute webhooks](/risk-management/disputes-api/dispute-notifications/)
* [Manage disputes](/risk-management/manage-disputes/)
* [Disputes API](/risk-management/disputes-api/)
