March 5, 2010
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The Billing Dispute Process for MasterCard and Visa, Pt.1
Fraud vs. dispute.As a MasterCard and / or Visa credit card consumer, there are procedures in place in case a consumer has a billing error on their monthly statement. Often times, consumers that use credit cards think they have fraud issues if the merchant has billed them incorrectly (after having given the merchant their card number). Once a consumer gives a merchant their credit card number, it is not considered fraud if they have a complaint. In this case, it becomes a billing dispute issue.
Fraud occurs only when someone else without the consumer’s knowledge or permission uses the credit card. The credit card company cannot close the account just because of an error made by a merchant. There is a billing dispute form listed on the back of every monthly billing statement for this use.
In addition, there are time limits involved. The first time limit requires that the credit card company must receive the signed dispute, along with any supporting documentation, within 60 days. Supporting documentation can include things like: sales receipts, check copies, etc.
The issuing bank or credit card company will suggest that you contact the merchant involved first for resolution (that is usually the quickest way to get a dispute resolved).
Some examples of billing issues that a consumer using MasterCard and/or Visa credit card can dispute are as follows:
Ø Being double-billed by the same merchant;
Ø Being billed for a different dollar amount on the account then showing on the credit card receipt.
Ø Product or service received being very different from expectation.There are, of course, other dispute types but these are just a sample of what a consumer can dispute. There is also a space on the form to dispute any type that may not be listed on the billing dispute form.