Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form: Your Guide to Resolving Billing Errors

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   You must submit your dispute within 60 days of the first bill containing the error—not from when you discovered the error.

2. 2

   Always send dispute forms via certified mail with return receipt requested and keep copies of all correspondence.

3. 3

   You can withhold payment on the disputed portion of your bill during the investigation, but you must pay any undisputed amounts.

4. 4

   Creditors must acknowledge your dispute within 30 days and resolve it within two billing cycles (maximum 90 days).

5. 5

   If you're disputing a credit card charge for goods or services, it's often helpful to also contact the merchant directly to try resolving the issue.

6. 6

   For medical billing disputes, request an itemized bill and explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurance to help identify specific errors.

7. 7

   Utility billing disputes may also be addressed through your state's public utility commission if the company is unresponsive.

8. 8

   If your creditor violates FCBA procedures, they may forfeit the right to collect up to $50 of the disputed amount, even if the charge was correct.

Louisiana Requirements for Fair Credit Billing Act Dispute Form

• 15 U.S.C. § 1666 - Correction of Billing Errors (15 U.S.C. § 1666)

  Establishes the consumer's right to dispute billing errors and requires creditors to acknowledge disputes within 30 days and resolve them within 90 days. During investigation, consumers cannot be charged interest or penalties on disputed amounts.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1666a - Regulation of Credit Reports (15 U.S.C. § 1666a)

  Prohibits creditors from reporting disputed amounts as delinquent to credit bureaus while the dispute is under investigation. Creditors must also report the resolution of disputes to credit bureaus.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1666i-1 - Limits on Interest Rate Increases (15 U.S.C. § 1666i-1)

  Restricts creditors from increasing interest rates on existing balances except under specific circumstances, providing protection during billing disputes.

• 12 C.F.R. § 1026.13 - Regulation Z Billing Error Resolution (12 C.F.R. § 1026.13)

  Implements the FCBA's billing error resolution procedures, detailing the specific steps creditors must follow when handling disputes, including timeframes and required communications.

• Louisiana Consumer Credit Law - Billing Disputes (La. R.S. 9:3510 et seq.)

  Louisiana's state-specific consumer credit protections that supplement federal FCBA requirements, including additional consumer rights for Louisiana residents during billing disputes.

• Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (La. R.S. 51:1401 et seq.)

  Prohibits unfair and deceptive practices in consumer transactions, including credit billing, providing additional state-level protections for Louisiana consumers.

• Louisiana Debt Collection Practices Act (La. R.S. 9:3534 et seq.)

  Regulates debt collection activities in Louisiana, including those related to disputed credit card charges, providing additional protections during billing disputes.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1693f - Error Resolution for Electronic Fund Transfers (15 U.S.C. § 1693f)

  Establishes error resolution procedures for electronic fund transfers that may be relevant to certain credit billing disputes involving electronic payments.

• Louisiana Electronic Funds Transfer Act (La. R.S. 6:1351 et seq.)

  State-level regulations for electronic funds transfers that may apply to credit billing disputes involving electronic payments in Louisiana.

• 15 U.S.C. § 45(a) - FTC Act Unfair or Deceptive Practices (15 U.S.C. § 45(a))

  Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce, providing additional federal protection for consumers in billing disputes.

• Louisiana Civil Code Art. 1953 - Fraud (La. Civil Code Art. 1953)

  Defines fraud under Louisiana law, which may be applicable in cases of intentionally deceptive billing practices by creditors.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1637 - Open End Consumer Credit Plans (15 U.S.C. § 1637)

  Establishes requirements for disclosure of terms for open-end credit plans, including information that must be provided on periodic statements that may be subject to disputes.

• Louisiana Credit Card Solicitation Act (La. R.S. 9:3551 et seq.)

  Regulates credit card solicitations and disclosures in Louisiana, which may impact billing dispute rights and procedures for Louisiana residents.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2 - FCRA Furnisher Responsibilities (15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2)

  Requires furnishers of information to credit reporting agencies to correct inaccurate information, which is relevant during billing disputes that may affect credit reports.

• Louisiana Credit Reporting Legislation (La. R.S. 9:3571 et seq.)

  State-specific requirements for credit reporting that supplement federal FCRA provisions, providing additional protections during billing disputes for Louisiana consumers.

• 12 C.F.R. § 1026.5 - Regulation Z General Disclosure Requirements (12 C.F.R. § 1026.5)

  Sets forth general requirements for disclosures related to open-end credit, which may be relevant to determining whether proper disclosures were made in disputed transactions.

• Louisiana Prescription Periods for Debt (La. Civil Code Art. 3494-3498)

  Establishes time limitations for debt collection in Louisiana, which may impact the timeframe for disputing certain charges or debts.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1692e - FDCPA False or Misleading Representations (15 U.S.C. § 1692e)

  Prohibits debt collectors from using false, deceptive, or misleading practices when collecting debts, including those that may be subject to billing disputes.

• Louisiana Notification Requirements for Data Breaches (La. R.S. 51:3071 et seq.)

  Requires businesses to notify consumers of data breaches that may lead to unauthorized charges, which could be relevant in certain billing disputes involving fraudulent charges.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1643 - Liability for Unauthorized Use (15 U.S.C. § 1643)

  Limits consumer liability for unauthorized use of credit cards to $50, which is relevant for billing disputes involving unauthorized charges.