Your free instant copy of a credit report can make you aware of any problems with your credit.
But it's good to know how to handle common credit situations so you can eliminate problems
before they show up. The Fair Credit Billing Act(FCBA) offers certain procedures that protects
your rights when handling credit billing disputes. And by knowing how to deal with disputes,
you can prevent unwelcome surprises on your free instant copy of a credit report.
To dispute billing-error-related entries in your free instant copy of a credit report, you
need to know what's considered an error. The FCBA defines the following situations to be
"billing errors":
- an unauthorized charge. Your responsibility for unauthorized charges is limited to $50;
- a charge with an incorrect date or amount;
- a bill for goods or services that weren't accepted or weren't as agreed (the quality of goods
or services aren't "billing errors,");
- math errors;
- the failure to issue an account credit;
- the failure to send bills to your current address;
- and charges which you asked for further details.
The FCBA says that if you have a billing error on your credit card you should write to the
card issuer within 60 days of getting a bill with the error. The letter should go to the "billing
inquiries" address and be sent by certified mail with the return receipt requested. Include with
the letter copies of any documents that support your dispute. And keep a copy of everything
you mail so if the error shows up on your free instant copy of a credit report, you'll keep your
rights protected.
The credit card issuer must respond to your letter within 30 days of receiving it. And it
must resolve the problem within 90 days. While the dispute is being investigated you can
withhold payment of the disputed amount. And the credit card issuer isn't allowed to take
any legal action to collect the payment while it's in dispute. Nor can he report the bill
delinquent on your free instant copy of a credit report while it's in dispute. However, if the
dispute isn't resolved in your favor, you may later be liable for any late fees or penalties.
To get your free instant copy of a credit report and free 30 days of credit monitoring,
please go to
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