I need a little assistance with this matter. I have a charge on my credit card for 9.96 as a subscription to a website which I have neither visited nor belonged to. When the charge appeared, I had to do a lot of research to figure out how to contact the merchant. After numerous phone calls, I got ahold of someone who said my card was charged in error and a credit would be issued. I inquired how my card could have been charged, and he said that they do billings for 20+ websites and I had subscribed to a travel related website. I said yes, over a 1 ½ years ago, but cancelled the subscription after 6 months. He said my account was â??accidentallyâ? reactivated (which I did not do), but was charged to another website that they operate. Now, the credit was never done. I disputed the charge with my credit card company. I get a letter stating that the charge would stand because it is â??too smallâ? of a charge to dispute?!? WTH??? I phoned FUSA and they said I could battle it out with the merchant, but they suggested I just pay it. The merchant is operated in Canada. What can I do? Iâ??m afraid if I just pay it, what would stop them from continuing to charge my account month after month? Thank you for your replies. Gregory
Does the company have the right to charge your account? No. Is fighting a $9.95 charge worth having your credit dinged if the knuckleheads at the web-page service provider report it to a CA. No. If I was in your shoes, I'd pay the $9.95 then have FUSA send you another card so they couldn't charge your account again.
If you dispute a charge within (I believe) 60 days, then they have to assist you. Most companies require a minimum dollar amount to initiate a dispute/fraud investigation. If the charge doesn't meet the minimum amount, then normally an account is credited for the charge and the issuer will suggest you change your card number. Call First USA back, tell them to credit your account and issue a new card.
