Manage Your Credit Cards

Here's how to learn more about items billed to your credit card statements, with some common sense tricks to help you.

Review your credit card statements regularly. Online banking can assist you with viewing statements every day if needed.
Call the merchants first if you see any charges you don't recognize. You can usually find merchant names and phone numbers through a Google search. If you still cannot identify the charge, you can always submit a dispute form to your credit card bank. Please note that for all Visa cards, for unauthorized charges the credit card must be shut down and a new card issued in order to do a chargeback, so make sure you check all avenues with the merchant before disputing.
Always use common sense. If making reservations (hotels, airlines, rental cars) or placing orders over the phone, you are responsible to ask about their cancellation and refund policies before giving your credit card numbers. Ask them to fax you an invoice for any over-the-phone quotes or deals you make verbally. If they bill you more on the credit card and you have no paperwork to back it up, the credit card company cannot assist you.

Know that any merchant that is given permission to bill you monthly you must contact you directly to cancel. Keep dates and confirmation numbers on file.
Understand that closing your cards or reporting them lost or stolen does not stop preapproved charges from posting. Credit card companies cannot stop merchants from billing your card, but you do have dispute rights as long as you have paperwork to back the disputes up.

Always check the terms and conditions of every web site on the internet before giving them your credit card number to place an order. A lot of merchants' return or refund policies cannot be overriden by the credit card companies. Any time you cancel with a merchant, always get cancellation confirmation numbers and mark the date on your calendar.