Learn how to fix a mistake on your credit card bill and a few tips for catching mistakes. Mistakes happen. When they do, knowing how to fix them can save you money and time. Follow the below step-by-step to dispute incorrect charges or fees.
Special thanks to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for their contribution to this article.
What do I do when I spot a mistake on my credit card statement?
You should first try speaking with the vendor or merchant and try clearing up the mistake without having to involve the credit card company.
What do I do if the vendor or merchant doesn’t want to fix the mistake?
Contact your credit card company by calling their customer service number, usually found on the statement or the back of your card, or filing a dispute online. Explain what is wrong with your bill. The credit card company should listen to what you say and look into the problem.
Do I have to contact my credit card company within a certain time?
Yes. You must reach out to your credit card company within 60 days of receiving your statement.
Does the credit card company have to answer me within a certain time?
Yes. The credit card company has 30 days from the date you submit a dispute to respond to you.
How long do they have to investigate my dispute?
The credit card company has two billing cycles to investigate your dispute and make a decision.
Do I have to pay my bill while they investigate?
Yes. You must pay the undisputed charges. However, you do not have to pay the disputed fees or charges.
Step-by-step instructions
Try to resolve the error with the merchant.
Collect and prepare all of your documentation in order to prove the error.
If the merchant does not want to resolve the dispute, contact your credit card company. It is very important to do this within 60 days of receiving your credit card statement.
Follow up with a letter. Also, send a written notice to the credit card company as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. Your bill contains instructions on how and where to send this notice.
Confirm the address for billing disputes. The address is not always the same as the one you send your payments to.
Include your name, address, account number, and a clear explanation of what you believe the error is and why. Keep a copy of your letter.
Do you have any tips?
Review your credit card statement closely every month. The only way to find mistakes is to review your charges and fees carefully.
Compare your starting balance with the previous month’s bill.
Look for anything unfamiliar, including “add-on,” or optional, fee-based products.
FAQs
If you believe an error has been made on your credit card bill, you should send your credit card company a written letter within 60 days of the charge appearing on your billing statement. The letter should include information that identifies yourself and what you are disputing.
What's the best way to correct a mistake on my credit card bill? ›
Contact your credit card company by calling their customer service number, usually found on the statement or the back of your card, or filing a dispute online. Explain what is wrong with your bill. The credit card company should listen to what you say and look into the problem.
Are errors on a credit card easy to fix? ›
Luckily, credit card errors are usually correctable. However, it's critical to identify them quickly and take the right steps to address the problem. Left unchecked, it's easy for mistakes to remain on your statement and affect your balance, potentially leading to higher payments or a lower credit score.
How do I fix my credit card error? ›
Call your credit card issuer (the phone number is usually on the back of your card) to resolve the issue. Call your credit card issuer (the phone number is usually on the back of your card). Re-submit your credit card, in case you entered your card number incorrectly, or use a different credit card.
How should a card holder begin to correct a mistake on a credit card bill? ›
How do I correct errors? You have 60 days from the date of the statement with the billing error, to write to your credit card company. Send your letter to the address listed on your credit card statement for billing errors and inquiries. Include your name, account number, and the date and amount of the error.
What is the 609 loophole? ›
Specifically, section 609 of the FCRA gives you the authority to request detailed information about items on your credit report. If the credit reporting agencies can't substantiate a claim on your credit report, they must remove it or correct it.
What is a 623 dispute letter? ›
A 623 dispute letter is a written communication submitted to a credit bureau, typically by a consumer, to dispute inaccuracies or discrepancies in their credit report.
Who is responsible for correcting an error in a credit score? ›
If you raise a dispute with CIBIL, it might take up to 30 days for issue to be resolved. You can get your errors rectified by raising an issue with the concerned credit bureau. It will then verify this information with the credit institution and changes will be made after authentication.
How can I raise my credit score 100 points overnight? ›
10 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score
- Review Your Credit Report. ...
- Pay Your Bills on Time. ...
- Ask for Late Payment Forgiveness. ...
- Keep Credit Card Balances Low. ...
- Keep Old Credit Cards Active. ...
- Become an Authorized User. ...
- Consider a Credit Builder Loan. ...
- Take Out a Secured Credit Card.
3 Most Common Credit Report Errors
- Incorrect Accounts. One of the top mistakes seen on credit reports is incorrect accounts. ...
- Account Reporting Mistakes. Another common credit report bureau mistake is account reporting errors. ...
- Inaccurate Personal Information.
Missed a Payment? Try Writing a Goodwill Letter to Remove It From Credit Reports. A goodwill letter explains why you had a late payment and asks the creditor to take it off your credit reports.
Can I cancel a credit card payment made in error? ›
Reverse a payment that was already made.
Contact the seller first and request a refund. If unsuccessful, follow through with your credit card issuer as described above. If the credit card company deems your complaint to be valid, they will permit the reversal and issue a refund to your account.
Can there be a mistake in credit card statement? ›
If your credit card statement shows an incorrect amount due, or wrong fees charged, what should you do? Contact the card issuer and let them know of the issue. I had a situation where even though the balance was paid in full, they would tack on a small interest charge. This was going on for a few months.
What credit mistakes are the most serious? ›
Credit Mistakes That May Be Costing You Money
- Not reviewing your credit card and bank statements in full each month.
- Closing a paid-off credit card account.
- Taking a loan offer without shopping around.
- >Not checking your credit reports regularly.
- Not checking your credit scores.
Not checking your credit score often enough, missing payments, taking on unnecessary credit and closing credit card accounts are just some of the common credit mistakes you can easily avoid.
What is the most common mistake consumers make when paying their credit card bills? ›
Making minimum payments only and using cards for everyday purchases are two of the most common mistakes. The benefits of rewards can be small, while cash advances can be costly.
Can I cancel a credit card payment that I made by mistake? ›
Reverse a payment that was already made.
Contact the seller first and request a refund. If unsuccessful, follow through with your credit card issuer as described above. If the credit card company deems your complaint to be valid, they will permit the reversal and issue a refund to your account.
What is the best reason to put when disputing a collection? ›
You should dispute a debt if you believe you don't owe it or the information and amount is incorrect. While you can submit your dispute at any time, sending it in writing within 30 days of receiving a validation notice, which can be your initial communication with the debt collector.
