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Basics

Learn when companies can change your credit card terms

A company can typically change your credit card terms for future purchases, but they’re generally required to notify you 45 days in advance of any significant changes. Read more 

Understand how a credit card issuer calculates your interest rate

Your interest rate is what you pay for borrowing money, and most companies calculate it daily. The sooner you pay all or part of your balance, the less interest you pay. Read more 

Learn the difference between a fixed and variable APR

Credit cards have interest rates that are either fixed or adjustable based on an interest rate index. When shopping for a card, find out if the APR is fixed or variable. Read more 

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Key terms

  • Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
  • Balance transfer
  • Credit balance
  • Daily periodic rate
  • Grace period
  • Interest rate
  • Prescreened credit card offer
  • Unauthorized use
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Understand your situation

Common issues

  • You received a low credit limit
  • You paid off your balance but were charged for interest
  • You tried to make a purchase but were told the charge was not “authorized”
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Know your rights

  • Your interest rate on existing balances generally cannot increase unless you’re late on your payments
  • A card issuer cannot take more than 90 days to resolve a billing error
  • If you report a lost or stolen card before it’s used, you can’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges
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Take action

How-to guides

  • How to dispute a charge on your credit card bill
  • How to cancel your credit card account
  • How to get a refund on a product or service purchased with a credit card
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Submit a complaint

Having trouble with a financial product or service? If you've already tried reaching out to the company and still have an issue, you can submit a complaint. Tell us about your issue—we'll forward it to the company and work to get you a response, generally within 15 days. 

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