At SMP Hawaii, we are committed to helping kūpuna protect themselves not only from healthcare fraud but also from financial fraud — including suspicious or incorrect credit card charges.
Credit cards can be a powerful financial tool, but it’s important to know what to do when a charge doesn’t look right. Acting quickly can protect your money and your peace of mind.
If you notice a charge you don’t recognize — or if you never received an item you paid for — you have the right to dispute it. Thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), you are protected from paying for errors or fraudulent transactions.
When you file a dispute, your credit card company investigates the issue and may temporarily credit your account while they sort it out.
You can request a dispute if:
You were charged for a purchase you didn’t make.
You didn’t receive an item you ordered.
You canceled a subscription but were still billed.
You received a damaged or defective item.
You were promised a refund but never received it.
Tip: If possible, first try to resolve the problem directly with the merchant. It’s often faster and simpler.
If contacting the merchant doesn’t fix the issue, you can dispute the charge with your credit card issuer by:
Calling the customer service number on the back of your card
Filing a dispute through the credit card’s mobile app
Submitting a dispute online
Sending a written letter to the address listed on your statement.
Once your dispute is received, the credit card company must confirm receipt within 30 days and resolve the issue within 90 days.
You usually have 60 days from when the charge appears on your credit card statement to dispute it.
Fraud-related charges can be disputed at any time, but acting quickly is always better.
If you feel overwhelmed by a billing issue or fraud attempt, SMP Hawaii is here to guide you:
Understand your consumer rights under federal law.
Protect yourself from financial scams.
Find resources to report and resolve fraud.
📞 Call us at 1-800-296-9422
📧 Email info@smphawaii.org
🌐 Visit smphawaii.org
Protect your finances. Stay informed. SMP Hawaii is here to help our kūpuna thrive with security and peace of mind.
