How to Dispute a Bill in New York: A Guide for Consumers

The first step is to contact the service provider or merchant in writing. Send a detailed letter explaining why you're disputing the bill, including any relevant account numbers, dates, and amounts. Keep copies of all correspondence and send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested to create proof of your dispute. Many New York consumer protection laws require that you first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the business before pursuing other remedies.

Time limits vary depending on the type of bill. For credit card charges, under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, you must dispute within 60 days of the statement date containing the error. For medical bills in New York, you typically have at least 30 days from receipt to dispute. For utility bills, you generally have 20 days from the bill date to dispute charges with the provider. It's always best to act quickly, as waiting too long may limit your legal options.

For credit card disputes, you can withhold payment on the disputed amount (but not the entire bill) while the investigation is pending. For utility services in New York, you generally cannot have your service disconnected while a bill is in legitimate dispute. For medical bills, you can request that the provider not send the bill to collections while under dispute. However, for most other types of bills, withholding payment could result in late fees, negative credit reporting, or collection actions, even during a dispute.

New York offers several resources: The New York State Department of Consumer Protection (800-697-1220), the New York Attorney General's Consumer Frauds Bureau, or the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (for NYC residents). For utility disputes, contact the New York Public Service Commission. For medical bills, the NY State Department of Financial Services can help. For banking or credit issues, contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Free legal assistance may be available through Legal Aid Society or local bar association referral services.

Keep copies of: the original bill or statement showing disputed charges; all correspondence with the company (letters, emails, notes from phone calls including dates, times, and names of representatives); proof of mailing or delivery of dispute letters; any evidence supporting your position (receipts, contracts, photos, etc.); records of payments you've made; and any responses from the company. New York courts will require documentation if your dispute escalates to legal action.

Yes. First, verify the bill against your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company to identify discrepancies. If you find errors, contact both the medical provider and your insurance company. New York's Surprise Bill Law protects consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges in emergency situations or when at in-network facilities. Additionally, the No Surprises Act (federal) provides further protections. You can file a complaint with the NY Department of Financial Services if insurance disputes aren't resolved satisfactorily.

In New York, the statute of limitations for most consumer debts is six years from the date of default (last payment). For oral contracts, it's six years; for written contracts, it's six years; for credit card debt, it's six years. However, making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock. Even if a debt is past the statute of limitations, collectors can still attempt to collect, but they cannot successfully sue you for the debt. The statute of limitations is an affirmative defense you must raise if sued.

Unfortunately, yes, in most cases. Unless specifically prohibited by law (as with some medical billing disputes under certain circumstances), companies can send accounts to collections even while a dispute is pending. However, under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, if you dispute a debt in writing within 30 days of first being contacted by a collection agency, they must cease collection efforts until they verify the debt. New York's Consumer Credit Fairness Act provides additional protections regarding debt collection practices.

If direct negotiation fails, you have several options in New York: 1) File a complaint with the appropriate regulatory agency (e.g., Department of Consumer Protection, Public Service Commission for utilities); 2) Contact the New York Attorney General's Consumer Frauds Bureau; 3) Consider small claims court for disputes up to $10,000 ($5,000 in town and village courts); 4) For credit card disputes, follow up with your card issuer and the CFPB; 5) Consider mediation through community dispute resolution centers; or 6) Consult with a consumer rights attorney.