Credit Card Problems

Credit Card Billing Problems
Credit card account users encounter two types of problems:

· errors on the billing
· insufficient notice before a bill is due, and 2) errors on the bill.

Errors
The Fair Credit Billing Act provides specific protection for consumers
who have billing problems. It defines billing errors as:

1. Your payment has not been credited to your account.
2. Purchases that you just have a question about.
3. An incorrect amount charged or a charge for something that you
did not accept.
4. Charges made by an unauthorized person
5. Credit department mistakes.
6. Finance charges added to your bill for late payment when your
bill was not sent to your current address (provided you notified
the company of your address change prior to the end of the
billing period).

Insufficient notice.

If your account allows you to avoid a finance charge by
paying your account in full by a certain date, the company
must mail its billing at least 14 days before the due date.
Check the postmark if you are receiving your statements
shortly before payment is due and complain to the card issuer.

Your payments should be credited the day they are received.
Check with the company to see where the problem is. One way
that you can avoid this is by paying your credit card bill through
your checking account electronically.

What To Do if You Find a Mistake?

Send a letter to the creditor within 60 days of finding the
mistake. Give your name, account number, problem and
the amount involved.

Pay the part of the bill that is not an error. You will not have
to pay finance charges on the amount in error unless it is
found that the bill was truly yours.

If you are responsible for the amount you must pay the
finance charges that accrued during the time the complaint
was being investigated.

A creditor must respond to your letter within 30 days or
correct the bill. Your bill must be corrected within two billing
periods or 90 days or you should receive a statement saying
why the bill is correct.

If the bill is still disputed after the negotiation period is over,
the creditor may report you to the credit bureau. Check your
credit file. You have the right to add your statement to your
file, which will be included in response to all future inquiries.

Most credit card companies have toll-free numbers, others
accept collect calls. Always note the name of the person you
talk to. Follow up your call with a letter to document your
case to preserve your billing rights.

I would also send a certified letter with a return receipt
requested. This shows that you have fulfilled your side of the
card agreement.

Keep copies or records of all letters, documents and calls.

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