money · v1
How to Dispute Fraudulent Credit Card Charges
This guide explains how to report unauthorized transactions to your issuer. You will learn the steps to protect your account and secure your legal rights.
Verify the Transaction
Check your statement to ensure the charge is not a legitimate purchase under an unfamiliar merchant name or a forgotten subscription 1. If the card was stolen or cloned, proceed directly to the next step 1.
Notify Your Card Issuer
Call the customer service number on the back of your card or use the official mobile app to report the fraud 1. Request that the issuer freeze your account and issue a replacement card immediately 1.
Submit a Formal Written Dispute
Send a written notice to the billing inquiry address on your statement to trigger full Fair Credit Billing Act protections 1. Include your name, account number, the fraudulent charge details, and a statement that the transaction is unauthorized 1. Send this via certified mail with a return receipt requested within 60 days of the statement date 1.
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Manage Payments and Records
You are not required to pay the disputed amount or associated interest during the investigation 1. Continue paying the undisputed portion of your bill to avoid late fees 1. Retain copies of your dispute letter, the return receipt, and all related correspondence 1.
Secure Your Identity
If you suspect identity theft, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov 3. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report, which will automatically notify the other two 2.
Sources
Every step cites the sources below. Facts are rechecked automatically every 90 days or whenever a reader flags an error.
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