It is an important practice to check your credit card and draft/checking statements (especially if tied to a debit card) as early and as often as you can. This is particularly true at times when you are making a lot of purchases, like during holidays and on vacations.

2 Simple Reasons Why

Duel Charges Dual charges are more likely to appear when a consumer is making a purchase at an establishment they do not frequent. Many times, dual charges are not even connected to fraud. Dual charges can occur for innocent reasons where the sales receipt is unknowingly processed twice. This is particularly true for establishments that do not use modern point-of-sales systems.

Time is Ticking The sooner you identify a dual charge, the more likely you are able to get a credit back for the second charge. For credit cards, you have sixty (60) days to dispute charges. You need to contact the establishment you made the purchase with to document the erroneous charge and get it resolved.**

After the holidays is an ideal time to start this important money saving New Year's resolution if you don't already practice it. You will be happy you did. Especially if you find you have been charged twice for a purchase!

OUR ADVICE
You work too hard for your money to be taken-whether in error or intentionally. Dishonest people depend on your busy lifestyle to keep you off guard. Continual statement monitoring along with real-time alerts as we mentioned last month is the best defense.