Can I Dispute A Charge On My Credit Card?

Have you encountered this scenario? After reviewing your credit card history, you noticed a charge that you didn’t authorize. Or did your credit card company notice an unfamiliar charge from out of state? Maybe you take some time to contact the merchant that made the charge and ask them to remove it. But in this case, the merchant either isn’t helpful or trying to give you the runaround?

What happens when the merchant is unresponsive or giving you a hard time? That’s when you contact your credit card company to investigate. It’s called filing a dispute. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know about disputing a charge on your credit card. 

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When you initiate a credit card dispute with your credit card company, the company will begin their investigation. The company’s first step will be to remove the amount you’re disputing from your bill and send the merchant a written notice of why. The merchant will then have the opportunity to review your dispute in writing and can respond within a given window of time. The merchant needs to prove the charge is valid by providing the credit card company a signed receipt or proof of delivery of the product in question. If they fail to do so, you will win the dispute.

After collecting all of the necessary documentation, your credit card company will then review the paperwork to determine if they must remove the charge or determine if it’s truly valid.

Credit card disputes can sometimes be lengthy, depending on the grace period, and time it takes for the merchant to provide proper documentation. So it’s important to review your credit card statements every month, just in case something unfamiliar pops up.

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In summary, if you see something out of the ordinary on your credit card:

  • Get in contact with your credit card company.
  • Provide the reason for your dispute and any evidence you have to support it.
  • The card provider will keep you updated on the progress.

Author: Luke Peters