How we verify charges

Original Data: Where the facts come from

Our database is built on original primary research. We do not rely on unverified forum comments. Each charge page lists a Verified sources section with the exact links we checked — the merchant's own billing or support pages, bank pages, regulator documents (like CFPB guidance), or public records. The sources section sits on the page so you can open them yourself and confirm before you call your bank.

The "Verified by" row on every charge record says which kind of evidence we used, and entries are tagged by source type:

• Merchant — the company's own billing, support, or FAQ pages
• Bank — a bank or card issuer's published descriptor guidance
• CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules or guidance
• Public records — regulatory filings, press releases, corporate records
• Crowd reports — consistent reports from many cardholders
• Multiple — two or more of the above agree

Review dates and confidence

Every page carries a Reviewed date and a confidence pill. High confidence means multiple official sources agree on the reading. Medium means the merchant is identified but some detail (amounts, support numbers, policy) could not be confirmed against a primary source. Low means we rely on public records or broader guidance rather than direct merchant evidence.

Descriptors and billing practices change. A review date is a point-in-time claim, not a guarantee — check the date, then verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.

What we never do

• We don't fabricate amounts, prices, or support numbers — every figure is traceable to a listed source.
• We don't run ads that masquerade as answers, and nothing on this site is affiliate content.
• We don't give financial or legal advice. Disputes go through your bank, and your bank has the final word.

Corrections policy

If you believe an entry is wrong — the merchant, a support number, a policy, anything — tell us and we'll fix it. Corrections are checked against a source before they're published, and the page's review date is updated when the correction lands.

The fastest routes: use the report a charge form (it opens a pre-written email to [email protected]), or email us directly with the page URL and the evidence. You can also ask through the contact page.

Editorial independence

UnknownCharges is an independent reference. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or paid by any company listed on the site. We do not accept payment to change a page, and no merchant can buy a listing. The site is funded by advertising that is clearly labeled and never placed inside answers.

Why this matters

When a charge is wrong on your statement, the stakes are real: disputed money, disputed interest, sometimes fraud. A lookup site that invents answers makes that worse. Our bar is simple — if a charge descriptor cannot be verified against a primary source, it is downgraded in confidence or removed entirely.