Although National Consumer Protection Week has ended, the Erie County Office of Consumer Protection continues to showcase the five categories of consumer complaints received by the New York State Division of Consumer Protection for 2022. The last one in the top five is credit card complaints. This type of complaint may be at the bottom of the top five in reports but it is important to note that credit card fraud is the number one type of fraud in NYS (as identified by the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Sentinel Network).
The following information was provided in a press release from Governor Hochul on March, 3, 2023:
Credit Cards: Complaints related to erroneous charges, billing, card benefits and illegal surcharges.
For example, a consumer in Cayuga County purchased a trip through her travel credit card, which included several travel benefits and services such as trip cancellation insurance. Four days before the scheduled trip, the consumer's husband suffered a medical emergency that qualified for trip cancellation. The consumer filed a claim with her credit card company, submitted the required supporting documentation, and then repeatedly contacted them over the next four months for an update. She was promised a call back by a claims examiner numerous times but never received one. Once the consumer filed a complaint with DCP, DCP contacted the credit card company and arranged for the consumer to receive a full refund totaling over $15,000.
Consumers should:
- Review your bills carefully. Examine all charges and ensure they are for services you requested and are receiving.
- Be aware of charges for automatic contract renewals. It is illegal in New York State to continue charging someone for an online service without offering an easy way to also cancel the service online.
- Always read the fine print. Make sure you review the terms and conditions of service and understand the provisions of contracts.
Please contact our office if you have questions or need assistance with a consumer protection related issue. The Erie County Office of Consumer Protection can be reached by phone at 716-858-1987 or via email to consumerprotection@erie.gov. Consumer Protection complaints can also be submitted through our website.
