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Credit card billing error dispute

Consumer protection

Definition

Your federal right to challenge a wrong charge on a credit card statement, in writing, within 60 days of the statement.

What it means

Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, part of the Truth in Lending Act and the CFPB's Regulation Z, you can dispute billing errors on credit cards and other open-end credit. Errors include charges you did not make, wrong amounts, goods or services not delivered as agreed, and math mistakes. Send written notice to the creditor's billing error address so it arrives within 60 days after the first statement showing the error. The creditor must acknowledge it within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles, and no more than 90 days. While the dispute is open, you do not have to pay the disputed amount and the creditor cannot report it as delinquent. Many issuers also accept disputes online, but a written notice preserves your legal rights.

Example

You are charged $480 for a flight that was canceled and never refunded. Sending a written dispute within 60 days of the statement means you do not have to pay the $480 while the issuer investigates.

Illustrative numbers only. Your situation will differ.

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