How do I dispute a U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature charge?

To cancel a credit card transaction, contact either the merchant on the other side of the transaction or the credit card company. Which you should contact first depends on whether or not you think the transaction is fraudulent.

When You Think the Transaction Is Fraudulent:

If you want to cancel a credit card transaction because you think it is fraudulent, the first thing you should do is search online for the name of the biller, as listed on your credit card account. Sometimes, legitimate transactions can lead to false alarms simply because a biller’s corporate name isn’t as recognizable as the brand name a consumer really does intend to pay. If that clears things up in your case, great – crisis averted.… read full answer

However, if you still don’t recognize the details, you should definitely call your credit card’s issuer (the number is listed on the back of your card) to inform them about the unauthorized transaction. Even if the issuer can’t cancel the transaction before it goes through initially, you will not be on the hook for any fraudulent purchases made with your credit card account. All credit cards give users a $0 fraud liability guarantee.

When You Just Want to Cancel the Transaction:

If you know that a credit card transaction is legitimate, but you want to cancel it because you changed your mind or made the purchase by mistake (or any other reason), take your request directly to the merchant the transaction is with. The credit card company won’t be able to do much about a legitimately authorized credit card transaction. They might be able to instruct you on how to cancel future transactions if the card is being used for a subscription or other recurring purchase, but that’s about it.

Your chances of being able to cancel a credit card transaction made online figure to be especially good. Check the merchant's cancellation policy. Some provide a small window in which you can cancel a pending transaction. Just bear in mind that in this situation, an order may show as canceled before the transaction reversal posts to your credit card account.

To activate a credit card, call the number on the back of the card or go to the website listed on the activation sticker attached to the card. Credit card activation typically requires the credit card number, the security code (CVV), or both.

The exact steps required to activate a credit card depend on the card issuer, so it’s best to follow the instructions printed on the sticker that comes on your card. If you’ve lost your sticker – or you’re just wondering – here’s a quick reference guide to credit card activation with some of the biggest card issuers.… read full answer

Here’s how to activate credit cards from major issuers:

It’s important to remember that some credit card issuers will require your Social Security number or other information to verify your identity when you activate your card. Once you’ve activated your credit card, you can use it immediately.

Yes, you can use a credit card before it arrives in the mail, but only with certain cards. If you want to use a credit card early, you must either have an American Express or Capital One credit card or one of a handful of other offers, including the Apple Card… read full answer, and some store credit cards. Normally, you can’t use a credit card without restriction before it arrives, because you can’t see the full credit card number, expiration date and CVV until you have the card in hand.

Credit cards that you can use before arrival

• Cards from certain issuers: If you need to start using a credit card today, you’ll likely want to consider applying for an American Express credit card. Amex is one of the few card issuers that will give out a full card number that can be used anywhere upon approval of an application. Capital One credit cards are also sometimes available for immediate use via the Capital One mobile app. But not everyone is eligible for this feature.
• Co-branded cards: Some credit cards that you can use before the actual card arrives - like the Apple Card - only allow you to add the card to a merchant-specific digital wallet. So you’ll only be able to use it with that merchant until the card arrives in the mail.
• Some store cards: There are a few credit cards that you can use instantly after approval, like the Fingerhut Credit Card. But you can only use this card for purchases at Fingerhut.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that you can ask a credit card issuer for expedited card delivery – in some cases, this will get the card to you the next day. Finding a card that you can use before it arrives in the mail might seem less important with that in mind.