Credit Card Late Fees Because of Disputed Charge

Posted On: April 12, 2005

Post subject: late charges & interest on credit cards

Gill Jeffries
Date: 12/1/2000 10:13 pm CDT

I withheld paying about $200 on a $2500 paid for furniture that arrived with damage and paid for by VISA. I sent many letters to both the furniture supplier and VISA detailing the damages and reason for withholding. No reply from supplier nor rational response from VISA– except they keep adding a $30 late fee each month plus interest.

I doubt they would get a judgment in their favor in court, but if they did, would I be liable for all the extra late fees and interest added to the $200?

Gill:

How you tried sending a certified letter to Visa disputing the charges? Any charges that you dispute on your bill, Visa has either 30 or 60 days to respond to you. During this time you do not have to pay the disputed balance, but must pay for all other transactions on the card. Personally, I would contact the furniture company and speak with a supervisor concerning the damaged furniture. Make sure you get names and extensions though. No decent company wants to lose a good customer. Explain the suitation and ask them to refund you for a portion of the damaged product, if not you will be returning it for a full refund. Call them everyday if you need to until you get a response. Good luck.

Dani

You must file a “dispute” with your credit card issuer. You have a limited time frame in which to do this to protect your rights under law.

During the time in which the charge is in dispute, you are not responsible for paying the disputed amount or any finance charges that may accrue on that amount.

In order to properly file a dispute, contact your credit card issuer and let them know you need to have a charge put into dispute. Be sure you follow up in writing. You should detail why you feel this charge should not be paid and what you have personally done to try to remedy the situation with the merchant. The credit card company will investigate, and if they find in your favor they will “charge back” the merchant and you will not have to pay the amount found in your favor.

Again, it’s very important that in order to protect your rights, you must file an official dispute. Not paying the bill will not accomplish this.

Hope this helps,
Kat
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