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.

Maryland 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 processing disputes and the timeline for resolution.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 12-704 - Credit Card Disclosures (Maryland Commercial Law § 12-704)

  Requires credit card issuers in Maryland to provide clear disclosures regarding billing dispute rights and procedures to cardholders.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 12-1001 - Credit Grantor Protection (Maryland Commercial Law § 12-1001)

  Establishes additional consumer protections for Maryland residents regarding credit transactions, including dispute resolution procedures that complement federal FCBA provisions.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 14-1901 - Consumer Protection Act (Maryland Commercial Law § 14-1901)

  Prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices in consumer transactions, including credit billing, providing additional state-level 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 credit card disputes involving electronic payments.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1666j - Relation to State Laws (15 U.S.C. § 1666j)

  Clarifies that the FCBA does not preempt state laws that provide greater consumer protections, allowing Maryland's additional protections to apply alongside federal requirements.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 12-313 - Retail Credit Accounts (Maryland Commercial Law § 12-313)

  Regulates retail credit accounts in Maryland, providing additional state-specific requirements for billing dispute resolution for retail credit transactions.

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

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

• Maryland Commercial Law § 13-301 - Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices (Maryland Commercial Law § 13-301)

  Defines unfair or deceptive trade practices under Maryland law, which includes misrepresentations or failures to honor billing dispute rights.

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

  Requires creditors to provide periodic statements and disclosures for open-end credit plans, including information about billing dispute rights.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 12-501 - Interest and Usury (Maryland Commercial Law § 12-501)

  Regulates interest rates and charges in Maryland, providing state-specific protections regarding interest charges during billing disputes.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1691 - Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. § 1691)

  Prohibits discrimination in credit transactions, ensuring fair treatment during billing dispute resolution regardless of protected characteristics.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 14-3801 - Identity Fraud (Maryland Commercial Law § 14-3801)

  Provides protections against identity fraud that may be relevant in unauthorized charge disputes under the FCBA in Maryland.

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

  Establishes requirements for clear and conspicuous disclosures in credit transactions, including information about billing dispute rights and procedures.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 12-1001 - Credit Grantor Closed End Credit Provisions (Maryland Commercial Law § 12-1001)

  Establishes requirements for closed-end credit transactions in Maryland, including provisions related to billing disputes for installment loans.

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

  Requires furnishers of information to credit bureaus to investigate disputes and correct inaccurate information, complementing FCBA dispute procedures.

• Maryland Commercial Law § 14-1212.3 - Credit Report Security Freezes (Maryland Commercial Law § 14-1212.3)

  Provides Maryland consumers with rights regarding credit report security freezes, which may be relevant during extended billing disputes that could affect credit reporting.