Merchant Charge Decoder — Identify Any Charge on Your Bank Statement

An unfamiliar charge on your bank or credit card statement can be alarming. Most of the time it’s legitimate — just a confusing merchant descriptor, a forgotten subscription, or a payment processor name you don’t recognize. Sometimes it’s a hidden subscription or fraud. The Merchant Charge Decoder tells you which one it is.

Paste the exact charge string from your statement below — including any numbers, asterisks, or codes. Our decoder searches a database of thousands of merchant descriptors and uses AI to identify anything it doesn’t recognize. Results include the merchant name in plain English, the charge category, whether it looks legitimate or suspicious, and exactly what to do if you don’t recognize it.

How to Use the Merchant Charge Decoder

Copy the charge exactly as it appears on your bank or credit card statement — including all letters, numbers, and symbols. Paste it into the search box above and click Decode. The tool will identify the merchant, explain the charge in plain English, and tell you what to do if you still don't recognize it.

Why Do Bank Charges Look So Confusing?

Banks and credit card networks display a merchant descriptor — a short code assigned to each business when they set up their payment processing account. These descriptors are often abbreviated, outdated, or reflect a parent company rather than the brand you recognize. A charge from Netflix appears as NFLX. A charge from Whole Foods appears as WHOLEFDS MKT followed by a store number. A Square payment from your local coffee shop appears as SQ * followed by the business name. None of this is designed to be consumer-friendly — which is why DecoderAtlas exists.

Common Types of Confusing Charges

The most common sources of unrecognized charges fall into four categories: payment processor prefixes (SQ, TST, PP*), streaming and software subscriptions billed under abbreviated names, ACH transfers initiated by banks and billers, and hidden subscriptions attached to free trials or promotional offers. The decoder handles all four.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I don't recognize a charge?

Start by pasting the charge into the decoder above. If the result identifies a legitimate merchant you forgot about, check your email for a receipt. If the charge is flagged as suspicious or the decoder returns an unknown result, call the number on the back of your card immediately and ask your bank for the full merchant details. You have the right to dispute any charge you don't recognize.

What is an ACH charge?

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House — the electronic network used for direct deposits, bill payments, and bank-to-bank transfers. An ACH debit on your statement means a company pulled money directly from your bank account. This is normal for utility bills, insurance premiums, and loan payments. If the originating company is unrecognized, contact your bank and ask for the full ACH originator details.

What does SQ * mean on my bank statement?

SQ* is a prefix used by Square, one of the most popular payment processors for small businesses. The name after SQ* is the business that charged you — typically a café, food truck, salon, or local retailer. If you recognize the business name, the charge is legitimate. If you don't, contact Square support at squareup.com.

What does TST* mean on my bank statement?

TST* is a prefix used by Toast, a point-of-sale system widely used by restaurants. The name after TST* is the restaurant that charged you. This is a normal dining charge.

Can I dispute a charge I don't recognize?

Yes. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have the right to dispute any charge on your credit card statement that you don't recognize. Call the number on the back of your card and ask to open a dispute. For debit card charges, contact your bank directly. Act quickly — most banks have a 60-day window from the statement date for disputes.

What is a hidden subscription charge?

A hidden subscription is a recurring charge you didn't knowingly agree to — typically buried in the fine print of a free trial, contest entry, or promotional offer. Common examples include charges from Power Marketplace, CSA+, and similar companies. If you see a recurring charge you don't recognize, dispute it with your card issuer and request a new card number to prevent future charges.

How does the Merchant Charge Decoder work?

The decoder first searches a curated database of common merchant descriptors and returns an instant match when found. If the charge isn't in the database, it uses AI to analyze the descriptor and identify the merchant based on known patterns, abbreviations, and payment processor codes. Database matches are labeled accordingly — AI-decoded results are flagged so you know to verify with your bank if uncertain.

Is DecoderAtlas free to use?

Yes — completely free, no account required. DecoderAtlas is supported by display advertising and affiliate partnerships.

What if the decoder can't identify my charge?

If the decoder returns an unknown result, call the number on the back of your card and ask your bank for the full merchant name and contact information associated with the charge. Your bank is required to provide this information. If the charge is unauthorized, open a dispute immediately.

Does DecoderAtlas store my bank information?

No. The charge descriptor you paste is sent to our decoder and is not stored, logged, or associated with your identity in any way. DecoderAtlas does not ask for or store any account numbers, card numbers, or personal financial information.

Looking for a specific charge? DecoderAtlas publishes plain English
explanations for the most commonly searched bank descriptors. Browse
our charge library from the Tools page.

 

What is a Merchant Charge Descriptor?

When a business charges your credit or debit card, your bank doesn't always display the full business name. Instead, it shows a shortened code called a merchant charge descriptor — a compressed version of the merchant's name combined with location data, transaction codes, or payment processor prefixes. These descriptors are set by the merchant's payment processor, not your bank, which is why the same business can appear differently across different cards or banks.

Common examples include WHOLEFDS MKT for Whole Foods Market, NFLX for Netflix, SQ* for any business using Square as their payment processor, and TST* for restaurants using Toast. The Merchant Charge Decoder translates these codes into plain English so you know exactly who charged you and why.

Why Do Bank Charges Look So Confusing?

Card networks like Visa and Mastercard allow merchants up to 22 characters for their descriptor — not nearly enough to spell out a full business name in many cases. Payment processors like Square, Toast, and PayPal add their own prefixes (SQ*, TST*, PAYPAL*) before the merchant name, eating into that character limit further. Location codes, store numbers, and transaction IDs fill whatever space remains.

The result is that a perfectly legitimate charge from a business you use every day can look completely unrecognizable on your statement.

When Should You Dispute a Charge?

Not every unfamiliar charge is fraud. Before disputing, always run the descriptor through the decoder and check your recent purchase history. Legitimate reasons a charge might look unfamiliar include shopping at a business that uses a different trading name, a subscription you signed up for under a promotional offer, or a family member making a purchase on a shared account.

You should dispute a charge when you've exhausted all reasonable explanations and still cannot identify the merchant, when the amount doesn't match any purchase you recall, or when you see multiple small charges from an unrecognized source — a common sign of card testing fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CHECKCARD mean on my statement?

CHECKCARD is a prefix some banks add to debit card purchases. The merchant name follows it — run everything after CHECKCARD through the decoder.

Why does the same merchant show up differently on different statements?

Merchants can have different descriptors depending on which payment processor they use and how their account is configured. A merchant may also use different descriptors for their physical store versus their online store.

Can I stop a recurring charge I don't recognize?

Yes — contact your card issuer and ask them to block future charges from that merchant. You can also request a new card number, which will stop all recurring charges tied to your old card number.

Is it safe to paste my charge descriptor here?

Yes. Charge descriptors contain no sensitive financial information — they are the same text that appears on your printed or digital bank statement and contain no account numbers, PINs, or personal data.