Credit Card Fraud
The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors
on your credit card accounts, including fraudulent charges on your accounts.
The law also limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50
per card.
****To take advantage of the law's consumer protections, you must:
write to the creditor at the address given for billing inquiries, NOT the
address for sending your payments. Include your name, address, account
number, and a description of the billing error, including the amount and
date of the error. (Click Here to download a sample dispute letter)
send your letter so that it reaches the creditor within 60 days after the first
bill containing the error was mailed to you. If an identity thief changed the
address on your account and you didn't receive the bill, your dispute letter
still must reach the creditor within 60 days of when the creditor would have
mailed the bill. This is one reason it's essential to keep track of your billing
statements, and follow up quickly if your bills don't arrive on time.
You should send your letter by certified mail, and request a return receipt.
It becomes your proof of the date the creditor received the letter. Include
copies (NOT originals) of your police report or other documents that
support your position. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.
The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days after
receiving it, unless the problem has been resolved. The creditor must resolve
the dispute within two billing cycles (but not more than 90 days) after receiving
your letter.
For more information, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre16.shtm
