What this variant means
Full corporate trade name printed by certain commercial banks.
USAT*MEDIA is Cantaloupe, Inc. (formerly USA Technologies), an automated payment provider powering card readers on vending machines, laundromats, car washes, and self-service kiosks. A small charge from USAT*MEDIA almost always corresponds to an in-person snack, drink, or unattended retail purchase.
Why it shows up like this
A charge displaying as USAT*MEDIA on your payment card statement points to a transaction processed by Cantaloupe, Inc. for automated self-service kiosks. This descriptor typically corresponds to a Vending machine or kiosk payment made at snack machines, parking meters, laundry stations, or air pumps using contactless tap or card readers.
These charges frequently appear a day or two after the actual purchase because offline terminals batch transactions before sending them to the payment network. You might also notice pre-authorization holds that temporarily reserve funds before settling at the final purchase amount for items like parking or vending snacks.
Check your daily schedule for recent visits to automated retail kiosks or parking lots if you do not immediately recognize the merchant. If the billed amount is incorrect or fraudulent, contact the payment processor or dispute the charge with your credit card issuer to resolve the discrepancy.
Reviewing your bank statements regularly helps you stay informed about recurring expenses and subscription renewals across all your digital accounts. Keeping track of your monthly bank statements helps you identify recurring subscription charges immediately, prevent unexpected automatic renewals, and protect your personal finances from unauthorized transactions or billing errors.
Don’t recognize it? You might still
Small cashless payments made in passing at automated kiosks or breakroom vending machines are frequently forgotten until reviewing monthly billing statements.
- Purchasing a cold drink, snack, or energy bar from a vending machine at work, school, or a gym.
- Grabbing a beverage or travel amenity at an airport concourse, hotel corridor, or transit station.
- Paying for a wash or dry cycle at an apartment laundry facility equipped with cashless card readers.
- Operating a car vacuum, air pump, or automated bay at a local gas station or car wash.
What to do, in order
Follow these steps to trace the machine location and verify the charge details before disputing.
- Check the charge amount Vending machine transactions typically range from $1.50 to $7.00. Multiple consecutive charges often represent separate item selections.
- Recall your movements on the transaction date Think about whether you visited an office breakroom, medical office, hotel, rest area, or college campus on that day.
- Look up the transaction with Cantaloupe Visit cantaloupe.com cardholder support to look up the transaction by card number, date, and amount to view the exact machine location.
- Dispute unauthorized charges If the charge is for an unusually high dollar amount or you have not used a vending machine, notify your card issuer to report potential card skimming.
Quick questions
Common questions regarding USAT Media credit card charges and unattended retail billing.
What is USAT Media on my credit card?
USAT Media represents USA Technologies (now known as Cantaloupe, Inc.), a major provider of cashless card readers for vending machines, laundromats, and kiosks. The charge indicates an in-person purchase at an automated machine.
Why is Malvern, PA listed on the charge?
Malvern, Pennsylvania is the corporate headquarters of Cantaloupe, Inc. Many automated card readers clear transactions centrally through corporate accounts rather than displaying local municipal addresses.
Frequently asked questions
Is USA TECHNOLOGIES the same as USAT*MEDIA?
Yes — Full corporate trade name printed by certain commercial banks. It posts for the same merchant, so the steps above apply to it too.
The original descriptor
This line is a variant of USAT*MEDIA — read the full entry for confirmation steps, support contacts, and everything else that applies here.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Cantaloupe, 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.
- Cantaloupe — consumer & cardholder support https://www.cantaloupe.com
- CFPB Cardholder Dispute & Billing Rights Guide https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-a-charge-on-my-credit-card-en-1965/
Reviewed Sep 14, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges