When you see an erroneous charge on your credit card bill, your first response might be to call up your credit card company to dispute it. The good news is, you’re already taking care of your finances by keeping a watchful eye on your credit card statements. The bad news is, your credit card company might not take your side in the dispute.
To maximize your chances of success, follow these 3 tips when disputing credit card charges:
1. Make a strong case for yourself. If you can prove that the merchant violated the law or their own written contract by charging your credit card, you’ll have a better chance of success. Some charges turn out to be clauses that were hidden in the fine print of legal contracts. Needless to say, those charges aren’t typically refunded.
2. Try to work with the merchant first. They might be willing to fix the mistake and credit the charge back to you without getting the credit card company involved.
3. Know your rights and responsibilities. The Fair Credit and Billing Act protects cardholders against fraudulent charges, but you’ll need to provide documentation backing up your claim. You’ll also need to file your dispute shortly after the charge occurs.
If your credit card company does not rule in your favor, you can complain to the FTC and file a lawsuit to recover your money. If you feel that your credit card company sides with merchants much more often than it sides with you, don’t hesitate to take your business to a competitor.
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