To dispute a charge on a credit card, start by contacting the merchant to try to resolve the issue directly. If that does not work, submit a dispute to your credit card company. For official disputes:
- Send a written letter to your credit card company's billing inquiries address within 60 days of the bill showing the charge to preserve your legal rights.
- Include your name, credit card number, charge amount, date, merchant’s name, reason for dispute (e.g., unauthorized charge, item not received or not as described), and any supporting evidence like receipts or communication records.
- Use certified mail or tracked shipping and keep copies of everything.
- The credit card company typically investigates the claim and must resolve it within 30 days for billing errors.
- Sometimes, you can dispute claims up to one year if you meet certain conditions, such as the amount being over $50 and attempts to resolve with the seller have failed.
- If the dispute is resolved in your favor, the charge will be removed or corrected; otherwise, you will be notified why the charge stands.
You can also often file disputes online or via your bank's app by selecting the transaction and reporting a problem. Filing disputes within 90 days digitally or contacting the issuer by phone are common guidelines. The exact process and timelines may vary by issuer, but documenting everything and disputing early is critical for success.
