The short answer
This is a charge for a grocery delivery order or an Instacart+ membership.
What is the Instacart charge?
When you notice an Instacart charge on your debit or credit card statement, the transaction is processed by Maplebear Inc., which operates the on-demand grocery delivery and pickup platform. The descriptor may appear as INSTACART, MAPLEBEAR INC, or include a specific retail partner name such as Instacart Costco.
This charge typically appears because you placed an online grocery order, incurred delivery service fees, or because your Instacart+ membership automatically renewed. Initial order totals frequently update after checkout due to item substitutions, out-of-stock refunds, variable weighed produce pricing, or post-delivery tip adjustments.
To verify the charge, open the Instacart mobile application or website and review your past order receipts and membership settings. If you identify an unrecognized charge or suspect unauthorized account activity, contact customer support immediately or dispute the transaction with your financial institution. Keeping close track of your monthly statements ensures complete financial security and prevents unexpected surprises from recurring charges.
Pending Charges and Renewals
Keep in mind that initial 'pending' authorizations may differ from the final charge amount due to item substitutions, weight-based pricing, or adjusted tips.
Verify if a family member or someone with access to your payment information may have placed an order or signed up for a membership.
- Step 1 Log in to the Instacart app or website and go to 'Your Orders' to review your order history.
- Step 2 If you have confirmed that you did not make the purchase, contact your financial institution immediately to report the unauthorized charge.
Who is Maplebear Inc?
Maplebear Inc is the parent company and legal name of Instacart, which is why it may appear on your statement.
Dispute Rights & Fraud Prevention
If you suspect unauthorized activity or fraudulent charges on your account, you have specific consumer protections under federal law to dispute the transaction with your bank.
Frequently asked questions
Is the INSTACART charge legitimate?
If you authorized a payment to Instacart, then yes. This is the statement descriptor used by Maplebear Inc.. Maplebear Inc.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Maplebear Inc.. 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