Credit Card Solution

In most cases, making a purchase with a credit card is as safe, if not safer than using cash. In fact, credit cards provide fraud protection and other security measures that a wallet or piggy bank simply cannot offer.

However, there are cases in which merchants or credit card companies make mistakes and overcharge the cardholder. Sometimes the card is charged for a transaction that never occurred, and in other cases it may be charged twice for a single transaction. When this happens, disputing the transactions can be a complicated process, especially when it’s not clear whether a dispute is warranted. The following information should help in deciding whether a charge dispute is advisable or warranted.

Unauthorized Charges

Unauthorized charges are perhaps the most common form of disputable charge that cardholders encounter. These charges can occur because of someone using the card unlawfully, or they can be the result of a merchant mistake. Some companies, especially those with monthly subscriptions. charge a credit card after the cardholder has canceled their service, which in some cases is also considered an unauthorized charge, depending on the service contract terms.

Returned and Unreceived Goods

Anytime the card is used for online or telephone purchases and the items never arrive, the charge is considered to be unlawful and should be disputed. In most cases, these disputes are credited to the cardholder’s account only when adequate documentation is provided, which is why it’s important to keep receipts and any other proof of purchase. If the item was returned and the money was never credited back to the card, this is another reason to dispute the charge, and with proof of tracking and shipping information these disputes are usually honored.

Erroneous Products, Services, or Amounts

Anytime an item or service is not as described a dispute is warranted, especially when the merchant will not honor an exchange or refund. Some card companies will only honor these disputes for certain cards, so it’s important to check the account’s terms and conditions before filing a dispute.

As well, anytime a merchant fails to fulfill their end of a contract in regards to a service purchased with the card, a dispute is warranted. Sometimes the error can be as simple as an incorrect amount on the statement. For example, instead of being charged $20, the cardholder may be charged $200.

Regardless of the circumstances, any mysterious charges that appear on the monthly statement should be disputed immediately.

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