A consumer, identified as A, purchased items from an overseas shopping site that subsequently closed, leaving A without the ordered products. After requesting a cancellation and refund from the credit card company, A was informed that the process could take several months. This delay is due to the requirement for disputes involving international transactions to be reviewed by global brands like Visa and MasterCard, rather than being solely determined by domestic card issuers.
Complaints related to credit cards have surged nearly 90% over the past three years. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) reported on June 10 that complaints regarding international transaction disputes, alternative card issuance, revolving services, and annual fee refunds have significantly increased. Complaints filed with the FSS rose from 6,720 in 2022 to 12,661 in 2025, marking an 88.4% increase.
Consumers facing disputes with overseas shopping sites or suffering from unauthorized use or double charges can file a dispute with their credit card issuer, which will then escalate the issue to the international brand. However, the investigation and compensation process is more stringent for international transactions, typically taking three to five months.
To file a dispute, consumers must provide supporting documentation, including links to the closed overseas site, screenshots of advertisements, order details, receipts, and correspondence with the seller. Disputes should generally be filed within 90 to 120 days from the transaction date or receipt date. The FSS advises consumers to utilize services like 'International Use Safety Settings' and 'Card Payment Notifications' available through their card issuer's app or website to prevent potential losses.
Consumers should also exercise caution regarding revolving services. This service allows users to pay only a portion of their monthly bill and carry the remaining balance to the next month. While it can temporarily ease payment burdens, high fees apply to the carried-over balance. As of late May, the average fee rate among card issuers ranged from 15.1% to 18.3%.
It is important to note that enrollment in revolving services is not mandatory when obtaining a credit card. Prolonged use can lead to accumulating monthly charges, increasing both principal and fees, which may negatively impact credit ratings. The FSS recommends that consumers check their enrollment status through their card issuer's call center, statements, or mobile app, and cancel if they do not wish to use the service.
Consumers should also verify the issuance of alternative cards in the event their existing card is discontinued. If a card is phased out upon expiration, the issuer may provide a replacement card after prior notification. Consumers can review the terms and benefits of the new card and can refuse it within 20 days if they do not wish to accept it.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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