Unauthorized charges in services are more common than they seem and, when poorly managed, open the door to scams and wasted time. Having a simple method helps you act with clarity, without unnecessary confrontation and with greater chances of correction.
Below is a 3-step checklist, focused on organization and scam prevention in Brazil, applicable to recurring services, one-off contracts, and in-person or digital interactions.
3-step checklist to dispute charges
1) Organize evidence before complaining
Before any contact, gather everything that proves the charge and what was agreed upon. Lack of organization is exploited by scammers to confuse the consumer or push quick, unfavorable solutions.
- Bills, receipts, and proof of payment - Contract, proposal, estimate, or screenshot of the offer - Service records (protocol numbers, dates, times) - Evidence of discrepancies (amounts, services not provided, duplication)
Practical tip: name files with the date and a short description to make sending easier and avoid contradictory versions.
2) Identify signs of a scam in the charge
Not every incorrect charge is a scam, but some patterns require extra attention. Recognizing these signs prevents the consumer from accepting improvised “deals” or paying to fix the provider’s own mistake.
- Excessive urgency for immediate payment - Threats of negative credit reporting without clear explanation - Requests for payment outside usual channels - Lack of a contract or inconsistent documents
If something seems outside the service’s standard, pause the negotiation and return to step 1.
3) Dispute through the correct channels and follow up
Submit the dispute objectively, using the provider’s official channels (customer service, ombudsman). Avoid parallel negotiations through personal apps or unverified contacts.
- Describe the problem in a few lines - Attach the organized evidence - Note the protocol number and the stated deadline
Follow up on the response. If there is a new charge or a change in the story, record it and compare it with the history.
How to protect yourself from new unauthorized charges
In addition to resolving the current case, adopting simple habits reduces the risk of recurrence:
- Review bills as soon as they are issued - Keep contracts and estimates until the service is completed - Be wary of “extra fees” without formal explanation - Avoid payments via links or informal accounts
Organization and attention to warning signs are the consumer’s best tools to dispute unauthorized charges and protect themselves from scams, without relying on promises or risky shortcuts.
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