• Have you ever ordered something online that was delivered damaged ' or never arrived at all? Or been double-billed by a merchant? Or spotted a charge on your credit card statement you didn't make? Most of us have.
• Fortunately, the 1975 Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) protects your rights during such credit card billing disputes. It also outlines the process for contesting charges made to your account. Here's how it works:
• First, FCBA protection applies only to "open-end" credit account transactions ' those involving credit cards or revolving charges (e.g., department store accounts). It doesn't cover installment contracts you repay on a fixed schedule, such as car loans.
• Billing errors that are covered by the FCBA include:
• • Fraudulent or unauthorized use of your credit card, whether it was stolen or

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