I Got A Double Charge On A Debit Card – What Do I Do?

Debit cards function similarly to cash and can be used in place of checks. They are used millions of times every day. They make it simple and quick to spend or withdraw money: Simply swipe your card, enter your PIN, and you’re done. Unlike writing a check or paying cash, the disadvantage of using a debit card is the possibility of being charged twice for the same transaction. Fortunately, this type of error is usually simple to correct.

If you face the same challenge, you don’t have to worry. In this article, we discuss the steps to take when your debit card is charged twice.

Many double charges are complete accidents, like if a cashier entered the incorrect amount in a purchase and then corrected it. There are also times when your bank or credit union is at fault, or a system error causes two charges to withdraw instead of one. These are easy to fix, but it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your purchases and transaction history. Follow the steps below for more best practices to avoid double charges.

When using a debit card to shop, it’s easy to lose track of your purchases. Unlike a credit card, your debit card funds link directly to your checking account. As a result, keeping track of your debit alerts in a paper ledger or an online checking account application is important.

In recent times, internet banking has been used by most people to check the status of their accounts. When you look at your bank statement and notice that your debit card was charged twice for the same amount on the same date, you know something isn’t right. If you can locate your original receipt, keep it as proof of the transaction. Then, call the business and request to talk with the management. You can also call the customer support number and ask to speak with a supervisor if the transaction was completed online.

The majority of duplicate debit card charges are readily reversed and cause little harm. However, having a transaction debited twice from your account can occasionally result in your account going into the negative, triggering overdraft fines. Explain the situation to the bank and request a refund of the fees if this occurs. If it doesn’t, ask the merchant to cover the fees because the overdraft was caused by their error.

If the bank discovers that the transaction was incorrect, it must repair the issue within one business day, according to the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The bank must notify you of its conclusion in the space of three business days. If it concludes that no error occurred, it must notify you in writing.

You must notify the bank within 60 days after getting your statement. This is a statement issued by the Electronic Funds Transfer Act or Regulation E. While several banks allow you to contact them by phone or online, you must provide a written notification to safeguard your legal rights. Many banks supply a form for these disputes, but you can also write a letter stating the date and amount of the disputed charge.

Here is a sample letter you can use to dispute double charges on a debit or credit card that was published by the Federal Trade Commission.

To establish that you alerted the bank on time, send your written notification to the bank by certified mail with a return receipt requested.

Continue to keep an eye on your account. If the refund from the duplicate charge has not appeared in your account after the required length of time passes, contact a customer care representative at your banking institution. They can look into the problem on their end. They may ask you to go to a branch and fill out a charge dispute form.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions related to double charges and debit cards.

Due to an error in the order processing, a card may be charged twice for the same order. This usually happens in rare cases. When it happens, you should notice the same charge (not pre-authorization or pending) in your credit card or bank account twice for the same order number.

Banks don’t charge you twice. But if this happens, it’s a billing error. To correct the situation and avoid losing money, you must contact the bank that issued the card.

Your financial institution is likely to hold off on delivering the canceled authorization, resulting in the appearance of a double charge. This is most likely the source of your account’s apparent double-charge.

Ghost payment usually occurs when only one payment is taken but the record shows that a different payment is likely to come out. But doesn’t in the long run.