The short answer
This is a legitimate charge from TSA PreCheck.
What is the TSA PreCheck charge?
When you notice the descriptor TSA PRECHECK on your bank statement or credit card bill, it represents an authorized application or renewal fee for the United States government trusted traveler security program. This billing entry corresponds to TSA PreCheck, covering the necessary background check and fingerprint processing fees required for five-year membership in the expedited airport security screening service.
These charges typically appear when you submit an online application or complete your enrollment appointment through official government contractors such as IDEMIA, Telos, or CLEAR. Because membership fees are charged upfront upon submitting your paperwork or scheduling an in-person appointment, cardholders frequently review this descriptor when setting up or renewing expedited screening privileges.
To verify your application status or confirm payment details, log into the official government traveler portals or contact customer support. If you do not recognize the transaction or suspect unauthorized card usage, check with household members before contacting your bank to dispute unrecognized charges.
Authorized Enrollment Providers
You will rarely see 'TSA' on your statement. Instead, you will see the name of the authorized corporate contractor that processed your application.
The charge usually appears as 'TSA Enrollment by Idemia', 'TSA PreCheck by Telos', or 'CLEAR TSA PreCheck'.
- Step 1 Check if you or a family member recently went to an airport or enrollment center to apply for or renew PreCheck.
- Step 2 If you have a premium travel credit card, wait a few days; many cards automatically issue a statement credit to reimburse this specific fee.
Can I use a third-party website to apply for TSA PreCheck?
Avoid third-party 'expediter' websites. They charge massive markups for doing nothing. Only apply through the official tsa.gov links to IDEMIA, Telos, or CLEAR.
Dispute Rights & Fraud Prevention
Review these consumer protection and dispute rights guidelines if you encounter unexpected statement charges.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TSA PRECHECK charge legitimate?
If you authorized a payment to TSA PreCheck, then yes. This is the statement descriptor used by TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck
Independent reference — not affiliated with TSA PreCheck. 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