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How to Reduce Credit Card Chargebacks
By Jocelyn Chavez

When a creditor charges a customer's credit card, the customer has the right to dispute any unauthorized or disputed transactions billed to their cards. When there is a dispute, the bank will ask the creditor to provide the signed sales slip or card imprint, etc. One question that comes up from time to time is this: When you take a verbal authorization to bill a customer's credit card [as many creditors do], how can you prove the customer authorized the charge?

To avoid any problems with 'verbal' approvals, I require my clients to sign a written authorization (on my form) to bill their credit card. I then enter it as a telephone mail order transaction, which indicates I didn't have the card in my possession on the Visa, American Express or Master Card authorization log.

I do occasionally get a chargeback dispute from a credit card company. However each time I have provided the signed credit card authorization the chargeback was reversed. Here is the form I have created:

Dear:______

In our many efforts to provide better service, we at <insert company name here> offer the convenience of paying for purchases and / or invoice(s) with your Visa, MasterCard or American Express. If your intention is to use a charge card, we require the following information to ensure that we are not held liable for any unauthorized transactions or charges. We would appreciate you completing the sections listed below and faxing the completed form to our office at the number listed above:

Sincerely,

<insert user name>
Credit / Collection Manager
_________________________________________________

I authorize <company name> to bill my Visa, MasterCard or American Express for $_________ on this day ________________ (today's date)

Charge card number

Expiration date:

Name on Charge card / Credit card:

Billing address on Charge card / Credit card:

Street Address City State Zip code

Person Authorizing Charge [Please Print Name]

Signature of Authorization:
[Note: The Signer must be the Cardholder or authorized signer on card.]

PO / Invoice #____________

* If you are prepaying a purchase the total amount charged includes product, tax and shipping charges unless your purchase is shipped freight collect.

In the event of a dispute, I agree to contact <company name> to try to resolve the dispute prior to contacting my credit card company.

The author, Jocelyn Chavez is Credit Manager for an outdoor furnishings company located in Southern California.

Reprinted with permission from the Covering Credit Newsletter 4/14/03 Edition

 
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