 TITLE: Can You Have a Negative Balance on a Credit Card? CONTENT: What Can Cause a Negative Balance on Your Credit Card?\n------------------------------------------------------\nWhen you use your credit card to make a purchase, the total amount borrowed will appear as a positive balance on your credit card statement. A negative balance, on the other hand, will show up as a credit. A minus sign will appear before the number of your current balance, such as -$200.\nNegative balances can happen for the following reasons:\n*   **Fraudulent charge reversal**: If someone used your credit card without your permission, the amount charged is not your financial responsibility. Once the fraud is discovered, the credit card issuer will reverse the transaction, which could result in a negative balance.\n*   **Returned purchase refund**: Maybe you bought something with your card but decided not to keep it. In that case, the initial charge on your account would be credited and could result in a negative balance.\n*   **Overpayment of the bill**: If you forgot you already sent in a payment or made a mistake and paid too much, you could end up with a negative balance.\n*   **Canceled fees**: Perhaps you negotiated with the credit card issuer to waive a late fee or other fees. If you already paid off a balance that included those charges, a negative balance will appear on your statement.\n*   **Statement credit**: As a benefit of your rewards credit card, you may earn a cash bonus after making certain charges. The value may appear as a statement credit, so if you were at a zero balance before, the reward will show up as a negative balance. END