It happens more often than people realize… Either a merchant charges you more than they were supposed to or you become a victim of Identity Theft.
The FBI named Identity Theft the FASTEST growing crime in America.
Because this has become such a terrible and devastating crime, I wanted to give some tips for how to dispute a credit card charge.
Credit Card Disputes
- Always photo copy both sides of your credit cards and other important items in your wallet/purse. This way if someone where to steal that info, you would have the phone numbers and account numbers to quickly cancel everything. This way, you also know exactly which accounts are in your wallet/purse.
- To improve the speed of removing or disputing a charge on your credit card, use their online banking system that all major credit card companies have.
- This tip may seem simple, but by checking your statement and contacting your credit card company before your statement period closes, can allow you to have the item removed quicker. If it is a large charge amount, the minimum payment can increase if it is not caught until after the statement period closes.
- When an item you do not recognize or did not authorize shows on your credit card statement, always call the number that is normally provided with the charge details for your credit card dispute. Do this quickly because it could be the first sign of Identity Theft. You will verify if it was done by you and if it was not, you can ask them to remove it. The Fair Credit Billing Act is one of the credit laws that gives consumers some protection with merchant and credit card disputes.
- If the company will not remove the charge, your next step is to contact your credit card company so they can walk you through how to dispute your credit card charge. Most times they can walk you through it in 5 minutes.
- Many Americans don’t realize that if a consumer disputes the charge and the merchant says it is an authorized transaction, the credit card company can utilize their arbitration process to make the final decision…
- The faster you find the error, and report it, the better chance you have to get it removed.
- Another reason for finding the error quickly: If a merchant has a 30 day return policy and you realize the merchant charged you more than they had said (additional add on products, misleading pricing, etc.) by the time you get your paper bill in the mail, (then open, read it and scan all purchases) it might be past the 30 day point.
- A great way to be notified of a late charge, regardless of what type of the credit card or bank account you have is with mint.com. Mint.com allows consumers to sign up for free and receive alerts directly to their email any time they have a credit card fee or bank fee. This allows for immediate notification and faster credit card disputes.
As you can see, there are many credit laws that protect consumers, especially when identity theft is involved. Credit Card Disputes do not have to be a difficult process.
You always want to review your credit card bill online as soon as it is available so that you have a jump on any credit card disputes. Now a days, most credit card companies will email you as soon as your bill is generated and ready to view!
I hope this helps!