Your Credit Rights

When you first received your Visa® card, it was accompanied by a document that outlined some of the benefits and rights that you receive every time you use your card. Read and save it. This document—and the back of your monthly statement—may detail benefits that are unique to your card or may contain contact names and numbers that can be valuable in the future.
 

read the fine print - its there for a reason disputes and errors - it pays to know the law credit bureaus - discover your credit history you've got friends in high places Watch for billing errors If you think your bill is wrong, or if you need information about a transaction on your bill, write to the address shown on your statement. Include your name, account number, transaction number, amount, and date, plus an explanation of why you believe the charge is an error. Note that the billing dispute address may be different than your payment address.   YOUR CARD ISSUER MUST HEAR FROM YOU WITHIN 60 DAYS after they send you the first bill on which the error appeared. You do not have to pay any amount in question during the investigation, but you are still obligated to pay any undisputed charges. Your card issuer is legally obligated to acknowledge your letter within 30 days and must either correct the error or explain it to you in writing within two billing cycles.   How to handle a dispute with a merchant If you are dissatisfied with an item or a service purchased with your card, YOU MUST START BY MAKING AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. If you are unable to reach a resolution, you may not have to pay the amount due on those charges.   Keep in mind that you benefit from this deferred liability only if the purchase price was $50 or more, and if the purchase was made in your home state or within 100 miles of your mailing address. Check your billing statement for complete details; but remember that it is always more difficult (and often impossible) to dispute a charge once you have made payment.   Guard personal information With the exception of telephone and mail-order trans-actions, you should never be required to supply your address, phone number, or other personal information in order to use your credit card. IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO REFUSE SUCH REQUESTS.   If paying by check, never allow someone to write your account number on the check. In fact, this practice is against the law in many states. Offer some other form of identification, like a driver’s license or a student ID.   You have got friends in high places Your rights as a credit user have been established through the EQUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ACT, TRUTH-IN-LENDING ACT, AND FAIR CREDIT BILLING ACT. For more detailed information on your credit rights, contact the Federal Trade Commission at (202) 326-2222 or the National Consumers League at (202) 835-3323   Put it in writing Phone calls to your card issuer’s customer service center may answer your questions but may not guarantee your rights under the law. ALWAYS FOLLOW UP WITH A LETTER confirming the details of your conversation. Keep copies of all statements, receipts, and correspondence.   Know your credit history Information on your credit history is maintained by three national credit bureaus and may also be collected by local credit agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to see a copy of your credit report for free—if you were refused credit because of it within the last 60 days—or for a nominal charge. CHECK YOUR YELLOW PAGES UNDER “CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES” FOR PHONE NUMBERS.