What to Expect if Credit Card Charges Are Disputed

I have made two attempts to present my position on why I think I am being treated shabbily by a major corporation. Twice I have been told nicely to 'pound sand.' There are no options presented to me. The corporation has stated that it is a take it or take it situation. To me, my only recourse is to dispute the cc charges. What can I expect if I go this route, I think this is the first time I have contemplated this course of action. The corporation's representatives agree that I am not seeking an outrageous compromise. Without getting into legal jeopardy, what can I expect if I put the payment on hold?

Rexedgar said:

I have made two attempts to present my position on why I think I am being treated shabbily by a major corporation. Twice I have been told nicely to 'pound sand.' There are no options presented to me. The corporation has stated that it is a take it or take it situation. To me, my only recourse is to dispute the cc charges. What can I expect if I go this route, I think this is the first time I have contemplated this course of action. The corporation's representatives agree that I am not seeking an outrageous compromise. Without getting into legal jeopardy, what can I expect if I put the payment on hold?

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I don't think there is anything legally they can do to you while it's in dispute. I have disputed a couple of things, and it always worked in my favor. I always got my money back.

Basically, the way I understand it is that you have to prove that you were defrauded by the company. Like I disputed a $150 charge from a dog groomer when I got my dogs back and they were still dirty and had dirt under their nails. I disputed a parking charge in New Orleans because the charge wasn't clearly posted until you got inside the gate, and then once inside, you couldn't leave until you paid.

They halt the payment, and in some cases (at least with Navy Fed), they will reverse the money back to your card. They will research using what you tell them, and what the company tells them, and decide if you've been defrauded. If you have, you keep the money. If not, the money is pulled out again and sent to the company. Usually they give you a few days' advance notice before they pull the funds again, so you aren't surprised at the withdrawal.

These were both with debit cards, though. Not sure if it's different with credit cards.

Rexedgar said:

I have made two attempts to present my position on why I think I am being treated shabbily by a major corporation. Twice I have been told nicely to 'pound sand.' There are no options presented to me. The corporation has stated that it is a take it or take it situation. To me, my only recourse is to dispute the cc charges. What can I expect if I go this route, I think this is the first time I have contemplated this course of action. The corporation's representatives agree that I am not seeking an outrageous compromise. Without getting into legal jeopardy, what can I expect if I put the payment on hold?

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You can expect the credit card company to be happy to assist, and you have a decent possibility of a reasonable resolution with the offending entity if your compliant is legit.

I've done this several times, to my satisfaction. As long as you have a reasonably legit gripe, you should get it resolved in your favor no problem.

I call the cc company, state how I got ripped-off, and then refuse to pay the charge. I throw it into dispute. I declare it a fraudulent charge. For added leverage, I do not pay the disputed amount. The cc company will (should?) let the disputed amount remain in limbo until it's resolved, without forcing you to pay. And since you've explained how you've incessantly tried to resolve the issue with the private company to absolutely no avail, they (the cc company) will handle all communications, and get back to you when it's resolved.

My several experiences have all been pleasant, and resolved to my satisfaction in a short period of time - a matter of days.

Good luck!

Superfly said:

I don't think there is anything legally they can do to you while it's in dispute. I have disputed a couple of things, and it always worked in my favor. I always got my money back.

Basically, the way I understand it is that you have to prove that you were defrauded by the company. Like I disputed a $150 charge from a dog groomer when I got my dogs back and they were still dirty and had dirt under their nails. I disputed a parking charge in New Orleans because the charge wasn't clearly posted until you got inside the gate, and then once inside, you couldn't leave until you paid.

They halt the payment, and in some cases (at least with Navy Fed), they will reverse the money back to your card. They will research using what you tell them, and what the company tells them, and decide if you've been defrauded. If you have, you keep the money. If not, the money is pulled out again and sent to the company. Usually they give you a few days' advance notice before they pull the funds again, so you aren't surprised at the withdrawal.

These were both with debit cards, though. Not sure if it's different with credit cards.

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I don't know, but I suspect cc companies might be even more eager to help than debit card banks. A debit card problem loses your money. A cc problem loses their money! Which is why I always use a cc, rather than a debt card, for large purchases or purchases where I prefer extra safety.

Quite honestly, I was a little blown away with how well I was treated by my cc company, and how hard they were willing to fight for me. It was a surprisingly easy & pleasant process, each time.

Rexedgar said:

I have made two attempts to present my position on why I think I am being treated shabbily by a major corporation. Twice I have been told nicely to 'pound sand.' There are no options presented to me. The corporation has stated that it is a take it or take it situation. To me, my only recourse is to dispute the cc charges. What can I expect if I go this route, I think this is the first time I have contemplated this course of action. The corporation's representatives agree that I am not seeking an outrageous compromise. Without getting into legal jeopardy, what can I expect if I put the payment on hold?

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Depends on the credit card or what the situation is. Without knowing specifics (and no I'm not asking you to provide that), there are different things they can do. For instance I had a credit card dispute with a company I thought was shady and disputed the charges. The credit card company placed the charges in "pending" but it was clear they had some knowledgeable lawyers because the credit card company said my dispute was insufficient and the charges were applied to my balance.

from the business side of the deal

we will get notice that someone is disputing a bill

sometimes we get more...why they feel they dont owe the money, or what the problem is....

we have to send in a copy of the signed receipt where the customer agreed to the charge, and a copy of the invoice/bill

rarely do WE lose a dispute....once in a while, a part we send is defective, and we will replace it. Or a repair that we did, had to be redone elsewhere...with those, i will work with the customer towards a resolution. Sometimes a replacement part, sometimes a refund.

If the company has their i's dotted and t's crossed though, you better have a good reason for the dispute

Only had to dispute 1 charge, also Navy Federal Credit Union, they just took care of it. Amount returned back to my account. Whatever investigation they did I never heard a thing about it.

Chomsky said:

I don't know, but I suspect cc companies might be even more eager to help than debit card banks. A debit card problem loses your money. A cc problem loses their money! Which is why I always use a cc, rather than a debt card, for large purchases or purchases where I prefer extra safety.

Quite honestly, I was a little blown away with how well I was treated by my cc company, and how hard they were willing to fight for me. It was a surprisingly easy & pleasant process, each time.

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Same here. Was pleasantly surprised that they were so willing to help me. To trust me. It was like shopping at Target after you've been a lifelong shopper of Walmart. :lol: