About The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) And Your Consumer Rights
Created in 1975, the FCBA is a consumer protection statute that provides rights to consumers when they have disputes over their regular monthly credit card bill. Your credit card reporting agency is responsible for submitting accurate information to be included in your credit report.
If you want to dispute a bill, you have that right. Get more information on the FCBA through this link. SmithMarco, P.C., is a source of both information and advocacy. As credit lawyers based in Sacramento and Chicago, we work with clients nationwide.
What Does The FCBA Cover?
The FCBA can diagnose your consumer rights difficulties and point the way to remedies if you have struggled with any of the following regarding your credit card bills: :
- Being billed for merchandise that was never received
- Being charged twice by your credit card company for the same item, or the failure to credit a payment to your account
- Seeing unauthorized charges appear on your credit card
- Finding charges on your credit card bills that list the wrong date and amount
- Detecting mathematical errors
- Missing your credit card bill because of a company’s failure to send your bill to your current address (provided that the creditor has received notice of the change of address within 20 days of the billing period)
The FBCA applies to “open-end accounts” including credit cards and revolving charge accounts, like department store cards. However, the regulations do not cover installment contracts, like car loans or credit lines repaid on a fixed schedule.
FAQs: Fair Credit Billing Act Issues
While the FCBA gives you significant protections as a consumer, you may have questions about how this applies or what to expect as you navigate the process. Our experienced team is more than happy to provide the answers you are seeking.
How long does a company have to resolve a billing issue under the Fair Credit Billing Act?
Once the company has received notification, they typically have 30 days to acknowledge the complaint. They also have two billing cycles to find a resolution. Since billing cycles can be different from one case to the next, this is capped at a maximum of 90 days.
Regardless of the outcome, the case should be closed and you should have your response within this time frame, preventing companies from simply ignoring these complaints in an effort to encourage consumers to drop them. Additionally, you should never be charged interest until the investigation has concluded.
What are my options if a billing issue is not resolved to my liking?
You may not agree with the results of the investigation or the resolution that is provided to you after the 90-day window has closed. If you disagree, you have 10 days to challenge the investigation and appeal the decision, making it essential to act quickly.
It can be advantageous to work with an experienced attorney if you plan to dispute the outcome. They can guide you in strengthening your legal position and help ensure you do not miss any important deadlines.
Does the Fair Credit Billing Act apply to business credit cards?
No, the Fair Credit Billing Act protects only consumer credit accounts used primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
Business credit cards fall outside the statute, meaning issuers are not legally required to follow the FCBA’s dispute, billing‑error or liability‑limitation rules. Some lenders voluntarily offer similar protections, but these are contractual rather than guaranteed by federal law.
Because coverage varies by issuer, it is wise for business owners to review their card agreement carefully and understand what dispute rights, fraud protections and error‑resolution procedures their specific account provides.
How To Dispute Your Credit Card Bill With The Fair Credit Billing Act
The FCBA contains a dispute procedure that must be followed in order to take advantage of the protections of this law. If properly done, the creditor must acknowledge your dispute in writing within 30 days of receiving it. The Federal Trade Commission provides the public with the full text of the FCBA through its website and per other requests for copies.
If you discover inaccurate information on your credit card bill, you have the right to dispute it. Reach out to experienced FCBA attorneys today. Reach us online or call us at 888-915-0836 for a free case review.