UnknownCharges

Tool — the reader pipeline

Report a charge

nothing is uploaded

Use this form to compose site feedback about an undecoded or incorrect descriptor. You review and send the email in your own mail app. It is separate from notifying your issuer.

> nothing is uploaded — this opens your email app with the report pre-written to [email protected]

What happens next

  • Feedback can identify missing entries, outdated sources or corrections that need editorial review.
  • An emailed report does not guarantee publication, a reply or a completed claim review.
  • We never ask for account numbers, and we don't help with individual disputes — your bank has the final word.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I don't recognize a charge on my credit card?

Compare the amount, date and descriptor with receipts and authorized users' records. If you suspect unauthorized activity, contact your issuer promptly using an official channel. Sending feedback to UnknownCharges does not notify your bank or start a dispute.

How long do I have to report an unauthorized charge?

Report suspected unauthorized activity promptly. For US credit-card billing errors, CFPB describes a written notice within 60 calendar days after the charge appears on the statement. Debit-card rules differ for a lost or stolen card versus an unauthorized statement transaction; ask the issuer which process applies.

What is the difference between a dispute and a fraud report?

A billing-error inquiry concerns a disputed transaction or amount; an unauthorized-payment report concerns permission to use the account. These issues can overlap. Describe the facts to the issuer rather than assuming that an unfamiliar descriptor proves stolen card details.

Do I need proof to report a charge as fraudulent?

You can report suspected unauthorized activity without first proving what happened. Give accurate details and keep records. The issuer determines its investigation process; this site cannot predict which evidence it will obtain or the result.

What happens after I report an unknown charge to my bank?

Ask the issuer how it will secure the account, investigate the payment and communicate its decision. Temporary-credit rules and eligibility depend on the account and dispute type. Card replacement or a refund is not a guaranteed outcome of reporting an unfamiliar label.

Can my bank deny my dispute for an unknown charge?

Yes. A dispute is not a guaranteed refund. CFPB says a credit-card company that finds the bill correct must explain why in writing. Ask for the findings and applicable follow-up process; a shipping address alone is not a universal decision rule.

Should I contact the merchant before reporting the charge to my bank?

For a recognized purchase, merchant support can clarify a billing issue. If authorization is in doubt, contact the issuer promptly without waiting for a merchant reply. Keep any receipts and correspondence for the inquiry.

Will my credit card be canceled if I report a charge?

Ask the issuer. It may recommend replacing a compromised card, but the action depends on the reported circumstances. Reporting a descriptor here does not cancel a card, notify an issuer or submit a dispute.

Sources checked October 9, 2026: CFPB credit-card billing disputes and CFPB unauthorized card transactions.

This tool only composes an email — nothing is sent until you press send in your own mail app. Nothing here is financial advice.