US consumers are disputing card purchases at a record pace, as online fraud, confusing billing practices, and sneaky subscription charges drive a surge in chargebacks.
Bloomberg cites new data from research firm Juniper Research on consumers' aggressive use of chargebacks. Last year alone, US consumers filed 158 million transaction disputes, up 29% from 2021 and outpacing overall growth in card spending. Global disputes jumped 46% over the same period.
The increase may reflect not only more legitimate fraud but also subscription traps, unfamiliar merchant names, poor service, and "friendly fraud," in which shoppers mistakenly or knowingly challenge legitimate purchases.
The report continued:
Some of this growth in reported fraud is indeed a reflection of growth in real fraud. More people are getting scammed, especially online.
But according to Michael Greenwood, a senior research analyst at Juniper who focuses on digital payments, that's not the main source of dispute rates. Instead he points to two other phenomena responsible for the ballooning number of chargebacks: growing confusion among consumers over how the transactions on their monthly statements correspond to their actual purchases, as well as an increasing willingness, especially among younger shoppers, to engage in a little bit of fraud of their own.
Rising chargebacks may also signal growing consumer stress, as online fraud and distrust of merchants increase. This appears to be one of the drawbacks of going cashless for some people in the era of e-commerce. Some shoppers are struggling with subscription traps, unclear billing, and deteriorating service, while a growing share are also using disputes to reverse legitimate purchases.
The spike in chargebacks is also hurting retailers, resulting in higher fraud losses and processing costs.
Business revolt?
Meanwhile, consumers are carrying near-record credit card balances as inflation remains elevated. The average credit card interest rate is hovering near a record high of 22%.
The good news is that consumer credit figures in May fell for the first time since Nov. 2024 as interest rates spiked.
So one drawback of e-commerce and an increasingly cashless economy is the rise in chargebacks. Digital transactions create more opportunities for fraud, billing confusion, and subscription disputes.
Tyler Durden Mon, 07/13/2026 - 15:05Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,
Mick Jagger is pushing back against the trend of rock stars turning stages into campaign rallies, offering a refreshing contrast to Bruce Springsteen's repeated anti-Trump outbursts.
In a recent New York Times podcast interview, Jagger made his position crystal clear. While contrasting his approach with Springsteen's, he stated: "My job in the live music world is for those people that come to have the best time ... And you don't want to lecture them."
Mick Jagger Says It's Not His Job to Lecture Rolling Stones' Fans on Politics
NYT: "Bruce Springsteen clearly sees his job as engaging in a meaningful back and forth."
MICK JAGGER: "My job in the live music world is for those people that come to have the best time ... And you... pic.twitter.com/PmNaTgLjs7
This comes as Springsteen has made a habit of injecting leftist political commentary into his shows, often targeting President Trump and his administration.
From calling Trump "treasonous and corrupt" during his European tour to labeling America itself a "reckless, unpredictable, predatory, untrustworthy, rogue nation" in a DC concert, the so called Boss has turned performances into platforms for activism.
Grammy-winning musician Bruce Springsteen began his European tour by calling President Donald Trump a "treasonous and corrupt" leader.
Springsteen urged the crowd to rise up, speak out against authoritarianism, and "let freedom ring."
Springsteen has supported every Democratic... pic.twitter.com/eSRpQuFGQl
Bruce Springsteen goes on anti-Trump tirade mid-concert.
pic.twitter.com/6LKM0MuZXg
Leftist activist Bruce Springsteen went on an unhinged anti-Trump rant during his recent DC concert, calling America a "reckless, unpredictable, predatory, untrustworthy, rogue nation." pic.twitter.com/wkolcjuh5S
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 29, 2026Springsteen has relied on a teleprompter for his anti-Trump and anti-billionaire rants, scripting attacks on the "richest men in America" and claims about a president who "cannot handle the truth."
Billionaire Bruce Springsteen uses a teleprompter to read a script bashing Trump and billionaires.
"The richest men in America have abandoned the world's poorest children to death and disease...We have a President who cannot handle the truth." pic.twitter.com/VJPm443zst
His latest efforts include an angry 'look at my serious playing face' anti-ICE music video titled "Streets Of Minneapolis," railing against the Trump administration.
JUST IN: Singer Bruce Springsteen releases angry, highly political new anti-ICE music video titled "Streets Of Minneapolis," which was uploaded to YouTube.
Springsteen raged against the Trump administration and called some out by name in the song.
The Hollywood clown... pic.twitter.com/wRGlqRccU9
Trump has continually clapped back at Springsteen's criticisms.
Trump goes off on Bruce Springsteen: pic.twitter.com/CQurpihfvZ
— johnny maga (@johnnymaga) April 2, 2026Never forget that Springsteen was among those pushing strict COVID-era restrictions, endorsing concerts limited to the fully masked and vaccinated.
@springsteen is a pedantic tool of govt oppression pic.twitter.com/7k90sMYXZg
— David Dougherty (@Nahanchi7068) July 11, 2026Fans and commentators have taken notice of Jagger's stance, with many applauding the decision to prioritize the audience's enjoyment over boring lefty sermons.
He gets it. pic.twitter.com/nQFv6sAqyL
— Dennis Michels (@lonecavalryman) July 11, 2026Springsteen is not engaging in a meaningful back and forth, he's engaging in lies and propaganda.
— Matt Marsden (@matt_marsden123) July 12, 2026Jagger's been around the block enough times to know how that sort of thing plays out. He's witnessed first hand what happens when musicians lose themselves in political messaging. Good on him for not stepping in it.
— ConquestBarbie (@DParadisio43137) July 12, 2026Too bad more musicians and actors don't heed Jagger's advice. I have zero interest in supporting any entertainment personality who thinks they have some moral high ground obligation to tell me who I can support politically. It's none of their GD business.
— Sherry Kerdman (@sherry_kerdman) July 11, 2026Mick knows. I was at a private event where U2 played and the entire show they used the monitors and interstitial comments to tell me to give all my money to Democrats and eradicate the evil that is Trump. Fuck them. pic.twitter.com/5WEhW5pcpU
— Todd Ensz (@EnszTodd) July 11, 2026Jagger's comments strike a chord in an era where many entertainers seem more focused on pushing ideology than delivering the escapist joy fans pay for.
While Springsteen sees his role as political engagement, Jagger understands that most concertgoers want to rock out, not endure lectures - especially from multimillionaire performers far removed from everyday struggles.
This divide highlights a broader fatigue with celebrities who lecture from their bubbles while ignoring their own inconsistencies. America First means putting fans and freedom first, not turning every stage into a partisan soapbox. Jagger gets it. More should follow.
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Tyler Durden Mon, 07/13/2026 - 14:45