The short answer
This is a legitimate charge from Card Replacement Fee.
What is a Card Replacement Fee?
A CARD REPLACEMENT FEE on your bank statement indicates an administrative surcharge assessed by your financial institution for manufacturing and mailing a new debit or credit card. When a card is damaged or misplaced, cardholders submit a reissue request, and the institution bills the expense under the Card Replacement Fee line item. Most domestic banks charge between $5.00 and $15.00 for regular replacement cards, while rush expedited delivery via courier can run $25.00 to $35.00.
This line item appears shortly after you or an authorized user on your account requests a new piece of plastic. Standard routine renewals sent near your card expiration date are almost always free. In contrast, an off-cycle reissuance prompted by accidental loss or a defective magnetic chip triggers this manual fee. Some institutions also assess a Card Replacement Fee if you order custom card art or request an extra card for an authorized signer on an everyday checking account.
If you never authorized a card reorder, contact your card issuer immediately using the phone number printed on the back of your card. Unprompted replacement requests can signal account takeover attempts where an unauthorized party tries to intercept plastic at a compromised address. If you ordered the card yourself because the old one stopped working through normal wear, call customer care and ask for a courtesy credit. Bank representatives routinely reverse this fee for loyal account holders who simply ask.
Standard Charges vs. Renewal
Most banks maintain a set schedule of charges for reissue services, with costs depending on your account tier and the type of card you carry.
While routine renewal cards sent before expiration are free of charge, an off-cycle replacement counts as an individual service request that triggers the bank fee.
- Step 1 Check your bank's Schedule of Charges on their official website to confirm the exact fee for your specific card type.
- Step 2 Review recent activity to see if you or someone on your account recently requested a replacement card through your mobile app or branch.
Can I get a card replacement fee waived?
Depending on your account type (e.g., premium accounts) or previous discussions with customer care, some banks may be willing to waive this fee if you ask.
Dispute Rights & Fraud Prevention
Federal regulations and card network rules protect consumers from paying fees caused by fraud. If your card was compromised during a merchant security breach or flagged by the bank for suspicious activity, the institution must reissue the card at zero cost under standard fraud mitigation protocols.
If you spot an unexpected CARD REPLACEMENT FEE alongside other unrecognized charges, lock your card through your banking app right away. Call the fraud department to report that someone may have tampered with your account. You have 60 days from your statement date to dispute unauthorized bank charges under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CARD REPLACEMENT FEE charge legitimate?
If you authorized a payment to Card Replacement Fee, then yes. This is the statement descriptor used by Card Replacement Fee. Card Replacement Fee
Independent reference — not affiliated with Card Replacement Fee. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- CFPB: Disputing Credit Card Charges https://www.consumerfinance.gov
- FTC: Fair Credit Billing Act https://consumer.ftc.gov
Reviewed Aug 5, 2026 · low · About UnknownCharges