Double Charged? Don't Panic. Here's Exactly What to Do.

Getting double charged for a single purchase is scary but fixable. I have been double charged three times and recovered the money each time. Here is the step-by-step plan.

Step 1: Don't Panic

Double charges are usually system glitches or processing errors. They are almost always reversible. The first time it happened to me, I panicked and called my bank immediately. The bank was helpful but I could have resolved it faster by contacting the merchant first.

Step 2: Contact the Merchant

Contact the merchant's billing department directly. Most merchants can see duplicate charges in their system. I was double charged by a hotel booking site and they refunded the duplicate within 48 hours of my call.

Step 3: Contact Your Bank

If the merchant does not resolve it within a week, contact your bank and dispute the duplicate charge. Banks have processes specifically for duplicate charges. This is one of the easiest types of disputes to win.

Step 4: Check for Pending vs Posted

Sometimes what looks like a double charge is actually a pending charge and a posted charge for the same amount. The pending one will drop off within a few days. Check your statement again after 3-5 business days before taking action.

Step 5: Set Up Alerts

After being double charged, I set up credit card alerts for all transactions over $0. Now I know immediately when any charge hits my card. The peace of mind is worth it.

Double charges are annoying but they are almost always fixable. The key is acting quickly and methodically.