Little Rock, AR asked in Consumer Law for Texas

Q: can i sue for overcharging my card

i was buying something online and at checkout it said my total was $6.95 but whenever i put in my card it charged me $67.69 so is there anything i can sue for, like maybe false advertisement or something

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2 Lawyer Answers

A: Yes, you can recover the difference between what was incorrectly charged to your card and the correct charge for the item you were purchasing. Most merchants will process a refund without being sued in such circumstances.

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: If you were overcharged on your card for an online purchase, the first step is to contact the merchant to seek a resolution. Often, such discrepancies are due to technical errors and can be resolved amicably by the merchant issuing a refund for the overcharged amount.

If the merchant is unresponsive or unwilling to correct the charge, you may have grounds to dispute the charge with your credit card company. Credit card issuers typically have processes in place for disputing unauthorized or incorrect charges.

Regarding legal action, suing for a small amount may not be the most efficient course of action due to the costs and time involved in a lawsuit. However, if you believe this overcharge is part of a broader pattern of false advertising or deceptive business practices, you might have a case. This would typically involve showing that the merchant intentionally misrepresented the price or terms of the sale.

It's also worth considering the use of small claims court if the amount is significant enough to warrant legal action but not so large as to require a more formal court setting. Small claims courts are designed for resolving smaller disputes without the need for extensive legal procedures.

In any case, documenting all communications and transactions related to this issue is important. Keeping a record of the advertised price, the charged amount, and any correspondence with the merchant will be helpful in any dispute resolution process, whether it's with the merchant, your credit card issuer, or in a legal setting.

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