Privacy Toolkit
Compare Bank Charges
Not sure which processor code belongs to which merchant? Use this tool to compare any two descriptors in our verified database side-by-side. All processing happens in your browser—no data is sent to our servers.
Select two descriptors above to compare their data side-by-side.
Why compare descriptors?
Scammers often use "descriptor spoofing" by setting up fake merchant accounts with names that look extremely similar to legitimate recurring charges (like apple.com/bill or AMZN MKTP US). Comparing the raw data can help you spot inconsistencies.
Anatomy of a Statement Descriptor
When you make a purchase, the merchant's point-of-sale system sends a 22-character string to your bank via a payment processor. This string is called a billing descriptor. Because of the strict character limits imposed by legacy banking mainframes, these descriptors are often aggressively truncated or heavily abbreviated. Comparing two similar descriptors side-by-side reveals how different processors structure this limited real estate.
For instance, a transaction handled by Square will typically prepend SQ * to the merchant name, resulting in a descriptor like SQ *DAILY GRIND. A charge processed through PayPal might show up as PAYPAL *MERCHANTNAME. These prefixes consume valuable characters, forcing the actual business name to be cut off. By comparing a cryptic charge to a known good descriptor in our database, you can identify these common prefixes and deduce the true merchant.
How Descriptor Spoofing Works
One of the primary reasons to meticulously compare descriptors is to identify "descriptor spoofing." This is a tactic where unauthorized actors intentionally register merchant accounts using names that closely mimic trusted, high-volume billers. For example, instead of seeing a legitimate APPLE.COM/BILL charge, you might notice an unauthorized transaction billed as APPLE COM BILL (missing the dot and slash).
These slight variations are designed to blend into your monthly statement. Most consumers gloss over their statements, looking only for recognizable keywords. Fraudsters exploit this behavior by slipping through small unauthorized charges (often under $10) disguised as digital subscriptions. If these small test charges go unnoticed, they may later attempt much larger transactions. Using a comparison tool allows you to examine the exact character string, including spacing and special characters, against our verified database to spot these subtle inconsistencies.
Understanding Confidence Levels and Caution Flags
When evaluating a charge, our database assigns a Confidence Level and occasionally a Caution Flag. A "High" confidence level indicates that the descriptor has been independently verified through multiple official sources, such as the merchant's own billing documentation or public records from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
If a descriptor displays a caution flag in our reviews, it simply means that the descriptor has been frequently associated with consumer confusion, subscription traps, or third-party aggregators where the merchant identity is obscured. That is not proof of fraud. Many perfectly legitimate businesses use third-party processors that trigger these flags due to their vague naming conventions. The flag is an informational tool to help you prioritize which transactions require closer inspection against your personal receipts.
Next Steps After Comparison
If, after comparing the descriptor, you still do not recognize the transaction, your first step should always be to cross-reference the exact dollar and cent amount with your personal records. Check your email inbox for digital receipts, review your digital wallet history (such as Apple Wallet or Google Pay), and confirm with any authorized users on your account.
Only after you have exhausted these personal verification steps should you contact your issuing bank to file a formal inquiry. Remember that disputing a legitimate charge (a "friendly fraud" chargeback) can result in the merchant permanently banning your account. Always use the information provided here as a starting point for your own investigation, not as definitive proof of authorization or fraud.
Frequently asked questions
Why do similar charges look different on my statement?
Different payment processors and banks truncate or format data differently. A charge from the same merchant might include a store number if processed via swipe, but include 'WEB' if processed online.
What is descriptor spoofing?
Descriptor spoofing occurs when a fraudulent merchant creates a billing name that looks very similar to a well-known brand (like Apple or Amazon) to avoid detection on your statement.
This tool is informational and not financial advice. We have no affiliation with any of the merchants or banks listed. Only your bank can definitively verify a charge.