Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using TransactionLookup.com.
How accurate are the results?
Our system combines a database of known merchant patterns with AI analysis. Accuracy varies depending on the descriptor, but we provide confidence scores to help you assess reliability. Common merchant codes are identified with high accuracy, while obscure or newly-created descriptors may require more interpretation.
Is my financial data safe?
Yes. We only analyze the charge description text you provide. We never ask for account numbers, passwords, or full bank statements. The descriptor text you submit is used to build our public knowledge base, but no personally identifiable financial information is collected or stored.
What if I still don't recognize a charge after analysis?
If our analysis doesn't help you identify a charge, contact your bank or card issuer immediately. They can provide official transaction details and help you dispute unauthorized charges if necessary.
How do I identify unknown charges on my bank statement?
Simply paste the cryptic descriptor from your statement into our analyzer. Our AI will decode what the charge likely represents, providing merchant information, charge category, and a confidence score to help you understand the transaction.
Is this service free?
Yes, TransactionLookup.com is completely free to use. We believe everyone should have access to tools that help them understand mysterious bank statement charges. The service is supported by advertising.
What types of bank charges can you identify?
We can identify most merchant charges, subscription fees, bank fees, ATM withdrawals, online purchases, recurring payments, and credit card transaction descriptors. Our AI continuously learns new patterns as users submit descriptors.
Why do bank statement descriptors look so confusing?
Banks use abbreviated codes, reference numbers, and truncated merchant names for transactions. These cryptic descriptors are a legacy of old banking systems with character limits, and they often bear little resemblance to the merchant's actual name.
Should I dispute a charge I don't recognize?
Before disputing, try looking it up here first — many charges that look unfamiliar turn out to be legitimate purchases under a different merchant name. If you still don't recognize it after analysis, contact your bank. They can provide full transaction details before you initiate a formal dispute.
How does the confidence scoring work?
Our confidence score reflects how certain our AI is about its identification. High confidence means the descriptor closely matches known patterns in our database. Lower confidence indicates the AI is making a best guess based on partial matches. Always use the score to gauge how much to rely on the result.
Still have questions? Contact us or look up a charge.