Updated
Mar 10, 2023 Millions of consumers use credit cards for everyday purchases as well as big-ticket items each day. While most card payment transactions happen without a glitch, there are times where mistakes are made or illegitimate charges take place.
When a purchase or other transaction is not correct, it is important to take certain steps to ensure it gets corrected with the merchant or the credit card company. This saves you money over the long run, and it is up to you as the cardholder to pay close attention to your account details.
Always be sure to check your credit card account periodically, taking time to review purchases and other transactions for accuracy. With Bank of America, the process is simple, either online or via paper statements.
When a billing error occurs, unauthorized charges appear, or another illegitimate transaction shows up, whether it is due to a lost card, a merchant mistake, or purchases you did not authorize, you have the opportunity to dispute it in a few ways. Here’s what you need to know about the process of disputing unauthorized charges or a billing error with your Bank of America credit card.
Contact the Merchant
Your first action item when you believe your credit card or debit card from Bank of America has been compromised is to secure the card. This may mean locking it through the bank. This process is done either through a phone call or online through Bank of America’s online banking platform. Once the card is locked, no more purchases or transactions can take place.
Next, contacting the merchant where the disputed charge or unauthorized charge originated is your best, and quickest, action. Merchant information and the contact phone number is listed next to each transaction on your credit card statement, making it easier to get in touch with the business to clarify charges.
Call the merchant to discuss the incorrect purchase or transaction and ask for details about the charge. There are some cases when you simply forget you made the purchase in the first place. Be sure the charge you think is inaccurate really is, and work directly with the business to resolve the issue if the amount is wrong or you did not authorize the purchase at all.
If you are initiating transaction disputes where you did indeed make the purchase but were unsatisfied with the product or service you received, it helps to go back to the receipt or talk to the merchant directly.
Dissatisfaction may not be enough to reverse a charge on your credit card or debit card, especially for purchases that mention that all sales are final. However, it cannot hurt to get in touch with the business to see if there is an exception that can be made.
If you are going to file a Bank of America dispute, under federal law and the Fair Credit Billing Act, you usually have to have made a good faith effort with the merchant to resolve the issue before you try to work with your credit card financial institution.
Contact Bank of America
If you cannot get the help you need for an incorrect charge on your credit card with the merchant, your next best option is to get in touch with Bank of America directly. You can do this by phone, online, or in writing.
By Phone
To dispute a credit card transaction over the phone, call Bank of America at 1-866-266-0212. You need to have information relating to the charge or credit card dispute in question, including the billing statement on which it appears, the amount, and the merchant.
It is also helpful to have the receipt from the transaction if possible. Provide this information to the Bank of America customer service representative on the phone. They will then investigate the charge within 30 days and provide a response to you in writing.
Online
The same information is provided to Bank of America via its online banking platform when a dispute for unauthorized or incorrect transactions is made. To make a Bank of America credit card dispute online, simply visit the Information and Services tab on your account home page and follow the prompts on the screen. Bank of America will pursue an investigation based on the charge you dispute and the information you provide about why it is being challenged.
In Writing
You may also submit a dispute for a credit card or debit card charge in writing. In the letter, you will need to include the following details:
- Your name and account number for your credit or debit card
- The amount of the error
- The posting date of the transaction in question
- A description of why you believe an error has been made
Your letter of dispute should be sent to the Billing Inquiries Department of Bank of America at PO Box 982234, El Paso, Texas, 79998-2234. Once received, Bank of America will investigate your claim.
For each claim type, online transactions that have posted to your account can be disputed, not charges that are still pending.
However, you also have a limited amount of time—60 days—to dispute charges you think are incorrect.
Also, it is important to note the difference between fraudulent and inaccurate charges on your credit card. Inaccurate charges are dealt with through the methods above, while fraudulent charges due to identity theft or a lost or stolen card are managed differently. For inaccurate transactions and billing errors, the process above is the route you should take.
Bottom Line
Although credit cards and debit cards offer convenience for making purchases, it is your responsibility to protect your accounts by periodically reviewing transactions or statements. There are instances where errors take place, and while the dispute process may seem daunting, it can be easily managed.