How to Handle Billing Errors and Disputes

Always read your monthly statement promptly and carefully. Review it for errors or unauthorized charges.

It is essential that you write to the creditor within 60 days of receiving the inaccurate statement. Do not send your dispute letter along with your statement. Some creditors provide an address used specifically for disputes that differs from their regular billing address. Make sure you use the address provided specifically for disputes.

In your signed letter, include your name, account number, specifics on the disputed charge(s) and an explanation about why you believe the statement is inaccurate. Additionally, send in any supporting documents like copies of receipts showing the merchant name and date of the transaction.

For disputes on quality, the purchase must have been made in your home state, or if not within your home state, within 100 miles of your current mailing address; and (b) the purchase price must be of at least $50.00. You can only file these disputes if you have made a good faith attempt to resolve it with the merchant first.

If you follow the proper steps in filing your dispute, the creditor must acknowledge your letter in writing within 30 days of receipt and an investigation must be conducted within 90 days. If your credit card is lost or stolen, contact the creditor immediately. By law, once your account is reported lost or stolen, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. Your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.