Credit account users typically encounter two types of credit card billing problems:

1. Insufficient notice before a bill is due.
2. Errors on the bill.

Insufficient notice. If your account allows you to avoid a finance charge by paying your account in full by a certain date, the company must mail its statement at least 14 days before the due date. Check the postmark if you are receiving your statements shortly before payment is due and complain to the card issuer.

Your payments should be credited the day they are received. Delays may cost you money in finance charges. If you note a consistent and unreasonable time lag, check with the company to see whether the problem lies with the mail, the company posting procedure, or other reasons. You can also pay your credit card bill by debiting your checking account and sending funds electronically to your credit card company.

Errors. The Fair Credit Billing Act provides specific protection for consumers who have billing problems. It defines billing errors as:

1. Charges made by someone not authorized to use your credit card.

2. Purchases that you question.

3. An incorrect amount charged for a service or an item or a charge for something that you did not accept.

4. Failure to credit a payment to your account (or the correct amount).

5. Other mistakes made by the company’s credit department.

6. Finance charges added to your bill for late payment when your bill was not sent to your current address (provided you notify the company of your change of address at least ten days prior to the end of the billing period).