Friday, March 6, 2009

Limiting Your Financial Loss

When a credit card goes missing, the first thing you think of is: How can I limit my financial losses? Luckily, there are several ways you can protect yourself, your financial history and your credit from damage and protection under the law to help with any financial loss.

Steps You Can Take:

  • Report Loss/Theft of Credit Card - Report the loss or theft of your credit cards and your ATM or debit cards to the card issuers as quickly as possible. Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. It's a good idea to follow up your phone calls with a letter. Include your account number, when you noticed your credit card was missing and the date on which you first reported the loss.
  • Review Billing Statements - After the loss, review your billing statements carefully. If they show any unauthorized charges, it's best to send a letter to the credit card issuer describing each questionable charge. Again, tell the credit card issuer the date your card was lost or stolen, or when you first noticed unauthorized charges, and when you first reported the problem to them. Be sure to send the letter to the address provided for billing errors. Do not send it with a payment or to the address where you normally send your payments, unless you are directed to do so.
  • Check Homeowner’s Insurance Policy - Check your homeowner's insurance policy to see if it covers your liability for card thefts. If not, some insurance companies will allow you to change your policy to include this protection.

Federal Protection Facts:

Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) Your maximum liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50. If you report the loss before your credit cards are used, the FCBA says the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your cards before you report them missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. Also, if the loss involves your credit card number, but not the card itself, you have no liability for unauthorized use.

Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA)

Your liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your ATM or debit card depends on how quickly you report the loss. If you report an ATM or debit card missing prior to its fraudulent usage, the EFTA says the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized transfers. If unauthorized use occurs before you report it, your liability under federal law depends on how quickly you report the loss.

For example, if you report the loss within two business days after realizing your card is missing, you will not be responsible for more than $50 worth of unauthorized use. However, if you don't report the loss within two business days after discovering the card missing, you could lose up to $500 of unauthorized transfer. You may also risk unlimited loss if you fail to report an unauthorized transfer within 60 days after your bank mails a statement containing unauthorized use to you. That means you could lose all the money in your bank account as well as the unused portion of your line of credit established for overdrafts. However, for unauthorized transfers involving only your debit card number (not the actual loss of the card), you are liable only for transfers that occur more than 60 days following the mailing of your unauthorized use-containing bank statement and before you report the loss.

If unauthorized transfers show up on your bank statement, report them to the card issuer as quickly as possible. Once you've reported the loss of your ATM or debit card, you cannot be held liable for additional unauthorized transfers that occur after that time.

Before you have that moment of panic, take the steps to protect your credit and your credit cards. Remember, your credit is extremely important and you don’t want someone else causing you trouble.

No comments: