How to Report a Double Charge on a Credit Card

Imagine waking up one day, checking your credit card statement, and discovering you've been charged twice for a single purchase. It’s frustrating, unsettling, and can even lead to more serious financial troubles if left unresolved. The good news is, resolving a double charge is straightforward, though it requires your attention and a few steps.

But what exactly should you do if you notice a duplicate transaction on your credit card? The following guide will walk you through how to handle this frustrating situation, ensuring you minimize the impact on your finances and protect yourself from further errors.

1. Verify the Charge on Your End

Before jumping to conclusions, it’s important to verify that the charge was indeed made twice. Review your receipts, order history, or any other proof of the purchase to confirm whether the same amount has been billed twice for the same item or service. It might not always be a case of fraud or error—sometimes merchants split payments or place a hold, which can appear as a second charge temporarily. Contact the merchant directly if in doubt.

Pro Tip: Some online transactions, especially from travel or hotel services, might show pending holds which will disappear once processed. Keep an eye on your account for a couple of days to see if the double charge resolves itself.

2. Contact the Merchant First

After confirming that the charge is indeed duplicated, your first call should be to the merchant. They often have internal records that can help identify any billing errors. In most cases, they will issue a refund or correct the issue swiftly if it's confirmed to be a duplicate charge. Be sure to have all your transaction details ready, including the transaction date, time, amount, and any order or confirmation numbers you may have received.

Pro Tip: Always ask for written confirmation or an email that acknowledges your request for a refund or correction. This can be important if you need to dispute the charge with your bank or card issuer later on.

3. Dispute the Charge with Your Credit Card Issuer

If contacting the merchant doesn’t resolve the issue or they refuse to help, the next step is to dispute the charge with your credit card company. Most credit card issuers allow you to dispute charges either online or by calling their customer service hotline. Be sure to act quickly, as there’s typically a time limit—usually 60 days from when the charge first appeared on your statement.

When filing a dispute, you'll likely need to provide:

• The transaction details: Time, date, and amount of the charge.
• Proof that you contacted the merchant: Any emails, receipts, or communication showing that you tried to resolve the issue directly.
• A reason for the dispute: Clearly state that the charge was duplicated and that you have already contacted the merchant for resolution.

Many credit card companies will provide a temporary credit while they investigate the dispute, which protects you from having to pay for the duplicated charge while the matter is being resolved.

4. Monitor Your Account

Once you've submitted a dispute, stay vigilant. Keep an eye on your credit card account for updates. Depending on the issuer, the investigation can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Most companies will notify you of their findings via email or mail. If your dispute is successful, the duplicate charge will be removed or credited to your account. If it is not, you’ll need to take further steps (which we’ll cover next).

Pro Tip: If you are issued a provisional credit, avoid using that amount for new purchases until the investigation is complete. If the investigation is not resolved in your favor, the credit could be reversed.

5. Escalating the Issue

If your dispute with the credit card company fails, you have a few remaining options:

• File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): The CFPB can investigate credit card disputes and will communicate with your issuer on your behalf.
• Contact your state’s attorney general: Some states have stronger consumer protection laws than others, and an AG's office can assist with credit card disputes.
• Consider legal action: Though rare, some consumers may choose to take legal action if a dispute causes significant financial damage.

6. Protect Yourself from Future Errors

Finally, it’s worth taking some steps to avoid double charges in the future. Here are a few things you can do:

• Always review your receipts: Compare your receipts with your credit card statement every month.
• Set up alerts on your credit card account: Many credit card companies offer email or text alerts for purchases above a certain amount, or for any unusual activity.
• Be cautious with online purchases: Double-check the number of items in your cart, and always verify that you’ve completed the purchase correctly before submitting payment.

Pro Tip: If you notice frequent issues with a particular vendor, consider using an alternate payment method like PayPal, which adds an extra layer of protection between you and the merchant.

Data Table of Common Credit Card Issuers’ Dispute Policies:

Issuer	Time to Dispute (Days)	Temporary Credit Offered	Method of Filing
Visa	60	Yes	Online/Phone
Mastercard	60	Yes	Online/Phone
American Express	120	Yes	Online/Phone
Discover	60	Yes	Online/Phone
Capital One	60	Yes	Online/Phone

By staying proactive and organized, you can protect yourself from the financial impact of double charges and ensure that your credit card accounts are in good standing.

In Summary:

• Verify the charge by checking your receipts and transaction history.
• Contact the merchant first to resolve the issue.
• File a dispute with your credit card issuer if needed.
• Monitor your account and be patient as the investigation progresses.
• Escalate the matter if the dispute is not resolved in your favor.
• Prevent future issues by regularly checking your statements and setting up alerts.

Staying on top of your finances and knowing your rights when it comes to disputing credit card charges can make a huge difference in how quickly and smoothly an issue is resolved.