Can Any Merchant Services Charge to Your Card Without Your Permission?
In every credit card transaction within the digital economy today, issues of security and legality take a front row. One common question that pops up is whether a merchant service can charge your card when you have not given your explicit permission. This kind of unauthorized charge is illegal and a breach of regulatory guidelines and consumer trust.
Understanding Unauthorized Transactions
- Legal Protections:
- Fair Credit Billing Act: The United States has some very stringent consumer protections in place against unauthorized charging on credit cards. If your card is charged for something you didn’t purchase, generally speaking, your liability won’t increase beyond $50.
- EFTA—Electronic Funds Transfer Act: For debit card transactions, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act gives similar protection. The maximum liability upon you is $50 if you report the loss or theft of your card within two business days.
- Consent and Authorization:
For a charge to be valid, it needs prior explicit consent from the cardholder. This can be in the form of signing a receipt, authorizing a transaction online, or even verbal consent.
Mechanisms to Safeguard Against Unauthorized Charges
- Improved security features:
- Encryption: The information regarding payment gets encrypted during transit to avert unauthorized access. This type of