Challenging a Charge on a Credit Card
- 1). Gather all the documentation you have related to the charge you want to dispute. Examples of documentation include copies of your sales receipt, the incorrect statement and any correspondence with the merchant or credit card company about the charge.
- 2). Bring your documentation to the merchant. Ask the merchant to reverse the charge for you. Merchants usually do this if you can show the charge is a mistake, or if you can bring back merchandise that clearly is defective or not what you ordered.
- 3). Write a formal complaint to your merchant if he initially refuses to issue you a refund for the credit card charge. Be specific in the letter: Describe the charge and items or services related to it, as well as the date of the charge, the dates shown on the billing statement on which the incorrect charge is found, an explanation of why the charge is wrong and basic information like your name and contact data. Include copies of supporting documentation.
- 4). Send a letter similar to your merchant complaint letter to the billing inquiries department of your credit card company to alert the company about the disputed charge. You have 60 days from the date of the statement with the disputed charge to send this letter.
- 5). Keep paying your credit card bill. You are entitled to withhold payment related to the disputed charge, but if the credit card company determines the charge is valid, you may be responsible for the charge later, as well as any finance fees.
- 6). Check your mail for a response about the disputed charge. The credit card company must respond to your letter within 30 days, and they have to settle the issue within 90 days.
- 7). Appeal the credit card company's decision, if necessary, within 10 days of receiving a response from the company.
- 8). File a lawsuit if your appeal fails.
