Updated April 2026
State Consumer-Protection Laws for Credit and Debit Cards in 2026
Federal law sets the floor: Regulation Z (12 CFR 1026) for credit cards, Regulation E (12 CFR 1005) for debit. Every state has a UDAP statute (Unfair / Deceptive Acts and Practices law) that can go further. Find your state below for the citation, AG complaint portal, and small claims court limit.
51
Jurisdictions covered
51
UDAP statutes cited
51
AG complaint portals
Apr 2026
Last verified
Click any state for the full page: UDAP statute text, AG complaint link, small claims court limit, any protections stronger than Reg E, and notable card issuers headquartered in that state.
Alabama
SC: $6,000
Alaska
SC: $10,000
Arizona
SC: $3,500
Arkansas
SC: $5,000
California
SC: $12,500
Colorado
SC: $7,500
Connecticut
SC: $5,000
Delaware
SC: $15,000
Florida
SC: $8,000
Georgia
SC: $15,000
Hawaii
SC: $5,000
Idaho
SC: $5,000
Illinois
SC: $10,000
Indiana
SC: $10,000
Iowa
SC: $6,500
Kansas
SC: $4,000
Kentucky
SC: $2,500
Louisiana
SC: $5,000
Maine
SC: $6,000
Maryland
SC: $5,000
Massachusetts
SC: $7,000
Michigan
SC: $7,000 ($10,000 for consumer protection claims)
Minnesota
SC: $15,000
Mississippi
SC: $3,500
Missouri
SC: $5,000
Montana
SC: $7,000
Nebraska
SC: $3,600
Nevada
SC: $10,000
New Hampshire
SC: $10,000
New Jersey
SC: $5,000 (or $20,000 for specific claims)
New Mexico
SC: $10,000
New York
SC: $10,000
North Carolina
SC: $10,000
North Dakota
SC: $15,000
Ohio
SC: $6,000
Oklahoma
SC: $10,000
Oregon
SC: $10,000
Pennsylvania
SC: $12,000
Rhode Island
SC: $2,500
South Carolina
SC: $7,500
South Dakota
SC: $12,000
Tennessee
SC: $25,000
Texas
SC: $20,000
Utah
SC: $11,000
Vermont
SC: $5,000
Virginia
SC: $5,000
Washington
SC: $10,000
West Virginia
SC: $10,000
Wisconsin
SC: $10,000
Wyoming
SC: $6,000
District of Columbia
SC: $10,000
+ badge indicates states with protections stronger than Reg E for debit-card disputes. SC = Small Claims Court limit. All UDAP citations verified against state statutes as of April 2026. AG portal URLs subject to change; verify before submitting a complaint.
How state UDAP laws interact with Reg E and Reg Z
Federal preemption does not fully displace state consumer-protection law for credit and debit card disputes. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) set minimum federal standards; states may provide additional protections so long as they do not directly conflict with federal law.
In practice, this means two things for consumers. First, you can file a complaint with your state AG even if your federal Reg Z or Reg E claim is unresolved or denied, because the state UDAP statute may provide an independent cause of action based on the same facts. Second, some states (notably New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, California, and Washington) provide mandatory treble damages and attorney-fee shifting that federal law does not.
Small claims court is a frequently underused remedy. If your issuer denies a debit-card dispute for $1,000, and you have documentary evidence (cancellation confirmation, correspondence), a small claims filing in most states costs $30-$100 and requires no attorney. The small claims limit in your state determines whether the full disputed amount can be heard.
Sources: State AG websites (verified April 2026); National Consumer Law Center, Consumer Credit Regulation (2026 ed.); individual state statutory texts via Westlaw/state legislature websites. Nothing on this page is legal advice; consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.