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.

Pennsylvania 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 - Rights of Credit Card Users (15 U.S.C. § 1666i-1)

  Provides consumers with the right to withhold payment on defective goods or services purchased with a credit card if certain requirements are met, including good faith attempts to resolve with the merchant.

• 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, defining what constitutes a billing error and establishing the timeline and process for disputes.

• 73 P.S. § 201-1 et seq. - Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (73 P.S. § 201-1 et seq.)

  Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in consumer transactions, providing additional state-level protections for Pennsylvania consumers in billing disputes.

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

  Sets forth requirements for clear and conspicuous disclosures in credit card statements, including how to submit billing error notices.

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

  Establishes error resolution procedures for electronic fund transfers that may be relevant when credit card disputes involve electronic payments.

• 73 P.S. § 2270.1 et seq. - Pennsylvania Credit Card Number Protection Act (73 P.S. § 2270.1 et seq.)

  Regulates how businesses can collect, use, and store credit card information, which may be relevant in unauthorized charge disputes.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1681i - Fair Credit Reporting Act Dispute Procedures (15 U.S.C. § 1681i)

  Establishes procedures for disputing inaccurate information on credit reports, which may be relevant if disputed charges are reported to credit bureaus.

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

  Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce, providing a federal backstop for consumer protection in billing disputes.

• 73 P.S. § 2188 et seq. - Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act (73 P.S. § 2188 et seq.)

  Regulates debt collection practices in Pennsylvania, providing additional protections for consumers in billing disputes that may go to collections.

• 12 C.F.R. § 1026.12 - Regulation Z Special Credit Card Provisions (12 C.F.R. § 1026.12)

  Establishes special rules for credit cards, including limitations on liability for unauthorized use that may be relevant in billing disputes.

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

  Establishes requirements for credit card statements and disclosures, including information about billing rights that must be provided to consumers.

• 73 P.S. § 2501 et seq. - Pennsylvania Plain Language Consumer Contract Act (73 P.S. § 2501 et seq.)

  Requires consumer contracts, including credit agreements, to be written in clear, understandable language, which applies to dispute forms and related disclosures.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1692e - Fair Debt Collection Practices Act False Representations (15 U.S.C. § 1692e)

  Prohibits debt collectors from making false representations in connection with debt collection, which may be relevant if disputed charges are sent to collections.

• 12 C.F.R. § 1026.27 - Regulation Z Language Requirements (12 C.F.R. § 1026.27)

  Establishes requirements for the language used in disclosures, including that they must be clear and conspicuous to the consumer.

• 18 Pa.C.S. § 4107 - Pennsylvania Deceptive or Fraudulent Business Practices (18 Pa.C.S. § 4107)

  Criminalizes deceptive business practices, which may provide additional remedies for consumers facing fraudulent billing practices.

• 15 U.S.C. § 1643 - Liability of Holder of Credit Card (15 U.S.C. § 1643)

  Limits cardholder liability for unauthorized use of credit cards to $50, providing important protections in disputes involving unauthorized charges.

• 73 P.S. § 2241 et seq. - Pennsylvania Telemarketer Registration Act (73 P.S. § 2241 et seq.)

  Regulates telemarketing practices, which may be relevant in disputes involving charges from telemarketing transactions.

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

  Prohibits discrimination in credit transactions, ensuring that dispute resolution processes are applied equally regardless of protected characteristics.