If an incorrect charge was made with your Visa card, whether due to human error, fraud, or bad business, you have a right to dispute the charge. Start by verifying the transaction to be sure it's an error and not something you forgot. Next, ask the merchant to correct the charge but if they don't resolve the dispute in a week, involve your card provider. As you wait for the resolution, keep paying your bills.
As a consumer, you have a right to dispute an incorrect credit card charge. When you disagree with a specific charge on your card, so you'll need to dispute the transaction to remove the error so you no longer owe the money. The charge can result from human error, bad business, fraudulent activity or failure by a merchant to provide satisfactory services or goods.
In case the charge is fraudulent in nature, you should challenge the charges immediately. For other errors, you can file a dispute within the 60-day threshold once you've made an effort to resolve the issue with the merchant. Keep reading to know the steps to follow when disputing a charge with Visa.
First, make sure you verify the error to ensure the charge is truly wrong and understand it. In some cases, you may find that the charge is a legitimate transaction you forgot.
Some reasons why you should dispute a charge include:
Contacting a merchant should be the next step when resolving a charge dispute. Merchants can resolve the dispute within a few days, whereas banks can take weeks. Besides, many businesses are altering their policies to allow more flexibility. Some allow clients to cancel or change their plans at no extra fee or with a promise of receiving a credit for future services.
Therefore, you can call the merchant and inform them of the error in your Visa credit card and agree on how they will settle the dispute. You can call them through their customer service number or send them a message. In your text, make sure you state the products or service you paid for, the exact amount paid, and on which date. Also, indicate the amount you would like to be refunded, and include any relevant copies that highlight the error that led to your claim. You can also look through a merchant's website to see the most appropriate solution for your situation.
If the merchant doesn't resolve the dispute on time, involve the card issuer. Always keep in mind the time limit for filing a charge dispute. If you don't get any feedback from the merchant with a week or it rejects your request, you should involve your credit card provider.
The Federal Trade Commission states that you should submit a written notice to the banking department of your card company within 60 days. In your submission, provide copies of your receipts alongside any other necessary documents.
Although you aren't responsible for paying the disputed error during the investigation, these amounts can still apply against your credit limit. If you don't pay the other portions of your bill, it can lead to negative reporting or late fees. You may need to contact Visa's customer service as well.
If the investigations find that the charges were inaccurate, you will receive a written notification about the imminent changes in your account. You may also receive refunds for late fees, finance charges, and other charges.
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