How to Dispute Credit Card Charges

Sometimes things just don’t go your way and items show up on your credit card statement that shouldn’t be there. It could be an item was charged twice or a company charged you when they shouldn’t have. You may even be looking at identify theft. But whatever the reason, if you’ve got erroneous credit card charges, you need to know how to dispute them.

Examine Your Statement Monthly

American and Canadian credit cards handle disputes in the same way. When you receive your credit card statement online or in the mail, you must examine it thoroughly. What are the charges on the statement? Are the amounts correct? According to credit card companies, although not officially, it is your responsibility to find the kinds of errors that would be settled in a dispute.

Be Proactive

If you see something on your statement that seems suspicious, be proactive. If there is a phone number listed by the charge, which there often is, call the number to see what company charged your card. The odd charge may be legitimate, and this is an excellent way to find out.

If the charge turns out to be in error, speaking with someone at the charging company may be enough to straighten things out. You may discover, however, that your credit card is being used without your permission which means you have more than a dispute on your hands.

File a Dispute

If you are unable to contact the charging entity or the company doesn’t take steps to fix the issue on their end, you should file a dispute with your credit card company. Instructions for filing a dispute are often on the back of your billing statement or can be found in your online account. It may help a great deal to speak to a representative on the phone who can walk you through the process.

A dispute will almost always be in writing and can take days or weeks to resolve. Be sure to keep a copy of all the paperwork and notes of your dispute even after it is resolved. Write down the names and titles of the individuals you spoke with at each company or organization. If the dispute bogs down and it is for a sizable amount, you may even consider involving a lawyer. Hopefully the dispute will be resolved quickly and easily.

Credit Card Fraud

 If you discover you are the victim of identity fraud, filing a dispute is not necessary for many traditional or no fee credit cards in Canada and America. If you suspect such a thing has occurred, contact customer service immediately to discuss your findings, close the account and start the legal paperwork necessary to clear your name from the illegal purchases.

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