How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge in Canada (and the US)
Unauthorized charge, missing order or refund that never came? Here is how disputes work with Canadian card issuers, how to escalate if you are refused, and how US rules compare.
Credit Card Basics guides
Credit card basics guides explain how credit cards work, and they are for you if you are getting your first card or want to understand the terms on a card you already have. They cover the parts of a card agreement that affect what you pay and how your credit develops.
The essentials are straightforward. Your APR is the yearly interest rate charged on balances you carry past the due date; if you pay your statement balance in full each month, most cards charge no interest on purchases. Your credit limit is the most you can owe at once, and the share of it you use affects your credit score. Paying on time every month is the habit that matters most for your credit history.
Read how credit card APR works to see how interest is calculated, and understanding your credit score before you apply. How your credit limit is decided explains what issuers look at, and how to build credit with a credit card shows how to use a first card well.
How to Read a Credit Card Statement: US and Canada Examples
Statement balance, current balance, minimum payment, interest charged: here is what every line on your credit card statement means, with the US and Canadian rules that set it.
Credit Card vs Debit Card: Protection, Credit and When to Use Each
Debit spends your own money; credit borrows it. Here is how the two compare on credit building, fraud protection, disputes, holds and cost, under Canadian and US rules.
What Happens If You Miss a Credit Card Payment: A Day-by-Day Timeline
What a missed credit card payment costs and when: late fees, the lost grace period, the 30-day credit report mark and the 60-day penalty APR rule.
Credit Utilization Ratio: How It Is Calculated and What to Aim For
How credit utilization is calculated, what ratio to aim for, why your statement balance is what counts, and practical ways to lower it before you apply for credit.
How to Build Credit From Scratch: A 12-Month Plan
Starting with no credit history? Compare secured cards, credit builder loans and authorized user status, and follow a month-by-month plan to your first score.
How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge: Deadlines, Letters and Rights
The Fair Credit Billing Act gives you 60 days to dispute a billing error. Here is how to do it, what to include in your letter, and the issuer's deadlines.
Credit Card Stolen? What to Do, Step by Step, and What You Owe
What to do in the first hour after your credit card is stolen, how much you can be charged under federal law, and when a fraud alert or credit freeze makes sense.
How Long Do You Have to Activate a New Credit Card?
There's no single deadline to activate a new credit card. Typical windows, what happens if you never activate it, and what it means for fees and your credit.