If I have a problem with a transaction on my debit card, what recourse do I have?
The Fair Credit Billing Act covers the use of credit cards but not debit cards. Instead, disputes about debit card charges fall under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, which provides protections for unauthorized use, incorrect amounts and omitted transfers.
To understand your rights, you should read the fine print on your cardholder agreement. With a debit card, you will have paid the full amount for the purchase, and the law does not let you seek the return of those funds. The safest bet is to use a credit card, where you can stop the transaction pending the eventual outcome.
If you have a legal question for a future column, send it to illinoislawcolumn@isba.org.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations and does not constitute legal advice. For help with a particular legal question, please consult your lawyer.
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