Under the law credit card holders are protected to a certain degree. Each credit card should have coverage for damage or lost packages. If the card does not have this offer, then you should definitely look for another card lender. The "Federal Credit Billing Act" states that if you have been billed by your card lender for damaged, stolen, or lost merchandise that you do not have to pay the bill. Once more, if you are billed twice for the same merchandise then you do not have to pay the bill. If the lenders attempt to pursue the issue, forcing you to pay the charges, you have the right to file complaints against that company. The complaints are sent to the Attorney General, or other proper authorities. If you receive broken merchandise, do not accept the package, and immediately contact the seller and file a petition for reimbursement, or replacement before you contact your credit card lender.

Most credit cards offer insurance policies against damage or lost products. Few of the lenders stipulate that the cardholder must pay at least $50 if they received a fouled package in the mail. The merchandised order as stipulated in most lenders Terms & Conditions must be over the amount $50, and the purchase must have been made "in your" state, or at least '100 miles' within the region. If this occurs then you are obligated to write the card lender, explaining the entire details surrounding the debt. It is important to ignore the fees charged for the merchandise, providing you refused the package, since if you payoff your credit card with the bill attached, your rights are diminished.

Also, if your credit card lender charges you a month later for merchandise, adds the wrong date the item was purchased, and attempts to charge you fees higher or lower than the actually price, you are protected under the law.

If you made a purchase and the seller fails to deliver the product at the date stated, then you can refuse the charge. In addition, if you did not agree to pay for merchandise that was delivered to your home, you can also refuse charges. If you receive charges on your credit card that you have disputed, then you have legal rights to refuse payment.

Credit cards can lead to problems, therefore knowing the laws and your rights are important to protect your being. Since, the mail deliveries are unpredictable we can never determine if we are getting what we ordered, or if the item will be lost, or else broken.

When it comes to illegal activities, the rule of thumb is to COLLECT EVIDENCE. The best evidence you can collect is in writing. Therefore, if you find your self in a legal situation with a credit card provider, make sure that you write your company explaining ALL details of the situation, and KEEP copies of the letter in a safe place. The letters should be addressed to the "billing inquiries" department and nowhere else. Provide all personal information, including your cards account numbers, and send the letter promptly. It is important to get proof that you sent the letter, therefore, mail the letter at your local post office and ask for receipts. Once the creditors receive your dispute then they are under law to act fast, and not allowed to go beyond "90 days" to investigate the circumstances.

Under the law the creditors, once the letter is in their hands, is not legally eligible to take you to court. The creditors can use the debt against your limits on the credit cards however. Furthermore, if any creditor while under investigation of charges reports you to the credit bureaus, wrongfully claiming you refuse to pay your debts, the company is legally liable to the courts. Furthermore, if it comes to the end of the investigation, and it is concluded that the charges are in fact yours, then you have "10 days" to write the company once more, and dispute the charges. If it is found that you owe the debt, then you will repay the balance, plus the APR fees, and the Finance Fees that occurred during that time your dispute was in progress.

About the author:

Tony Robinson is a careful and experienced credit card user, He is also a Webmaster and International Author. Check out his credit card tips at http://www.ezy-credit-card.com/