How to Write a Letter to a Credit Card Company About Unfair Charges
If you have been unfairly charged by a merchant for a credit card purchase, you have recourse under the law. The Fair Credit Billing Act is a federal statute which states that consumers have the right to dispute inaccurate charges on credit cards. By following the proper steps, you have a better chance of having a credit card dispute settled in your favor.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Dispute address for credit card company
- Merchant address for transaction disputes
- Payment receipts
- Dated copy of bill
- Phone log
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain the address for disputes from the merchant. The website for the merchant will frequently provide this information. If you cannot find the address elsewhere, call the customer service department for the merchant and request the address for dispute resolution.
-
2
Gather supporting evidence. This can include copies of canceled checks and copies of bank statements listing payment for the charge. In the case where the amount of the charge is disputed, evidence that the amount charged was incorrect could include a copy of an advertisement listing the correct charge. Include copies of this evidence with your dispute letter.
-
-
3
Draft the complaint letter. The letter should contain the transaction date--and the date the charge was posted to your credit card, if it is different--along with the amount of the disputed charge and the reason for your dispute--for example an unauthorized charge. Include a statement in your letter that you are writing in accordance to your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
-
4
Obtain the customer service address for your credit card company. This information can usually be found on your credit card billing statement or on the website for the credit card company. If you cannot find the information elsewhere, contact the credit card company and request the address for transaction disputes.
-
5
Request a chargeback for the disputed amount from the credit card company. Address your letter to the customer service department. Include a statement that you have attempted without success to resolve the dispute in good faith, and include copies of any correspondence between you and the merchant and the dates of any telephone conversations.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You have 60 days from the date of the first appearance of a disputed charge to file a dispute with a merchant.
If the credit card company owns the merchant or you made the purchase as a result from a solicitation received from the credit card company, there are no limits on your rights to request a chargeback.
Once your dispute is filed, you must receive a final resolution within 30 days. During this period, no collection activity can occur and you cannot be charged a late fee.
Requests for chargebacks can only be initiated after a good faith attempt to resolve the dispute with the merchant.
Credit card companies are only required to grant chargebacks for purchases of $50 or more made on a credit card (not a debit card) when the purchase took place in the customer's home state or within 100 miles of her home.
If the charge is found to have been accurate, you will be required to pay the amount of the charge plus any finance charges but not late fees.
