This site is an independent educational resource. We are not a bank, card issuer, payment processor, financial advisor, or affiliate of any merchant or issuer mentioned. Information about Regulation E (12 CFR 1005), Regulation Z (12 CFR 1026), Regulation II (12 CFR 235), the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and the Truth in Lending Act is sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve, and the Federal Trade Commission as of April 2026. Rules change; verify with your card issuer or a licensed advisor before acting. Nothing on this site is personalised legal, tax, or financial advice.

creditcardvsdebitcard.com

Updated April 2026

Credit vs Debit Card Fraud Liability Calculator in 2026

How much could you lose if your card is compromised? Enter the card type, how many days since you noticed the problem, and the total unauthorised amount. The calculator shows your maximum statutory liability under Regulation Z (credit, 12 CFR 1026.12) and Regulation E (debit, 12 CFR 1005.6).

Calculate your fraud liability

$

Enter your card type, unauthorized amount, and reporting timeline above to calculate your liability.

The liability gap visualised

Credit card (any point)12 CFR 1026.12(b)
$50 max
Debit (within 2 business days)12 CFR 1005.6(b)(1)
$50 max
Debit (2 business days to 60 days)12 CFR 1005.6(b)(2)
$500 max
Debit (after 60 days from statement)12 CFR 1005.6(b)(3)
Unlimited liability

Note: Visa and Mastercard both offer voluntary zero-liability policies that reduce the statutory cap further. These network policies are not guaranteed and may have conditions (e.g., timely reporting, account in good standing). The statutory caps above are the legal floor.