What is "AFTERPAY" on my bank statement?
AFTERPAY is a legitimate Buy Now, Pay Later charge for an installment payment on a past purchase.
Merchant: Afterpay | Category: Buy Now Pay Later
What Is This Charge?
A charge from Afterpay reflects an installment payment for a purchase made using Afterpay's buy now, pay later (BNPL) service. Afterpay, owned by Block (formerly Square), allows you to split purchases into 4 equal interest-free payments made every two weeks. Afterpay partners with thousands of online and in-store retailers. The charge on your statement is one of your four scheduled installment payments.
Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?
Afterpay charges appear on the days your installment payments are due. When you make a purchase through Afterpay, the first payment (25% of the total) is charged immediately, and the remaining three payments are automatically charged every 2 weeks. Afterpay charges your linked debit or credit card on the scheduled dates. If a payment fails, Afterpay may retry the charge and may assess late fees.
Typical Charge Amounts
Afterpay installments can range from a few dollars to several hundred, depending on the original purchase amount. Afterpay spending limits for new users start at $150-$600 and increase with payment history. Each installment is exactly 25% of the purchase total. Late fees are capped at $8 per missed payment (with a maximum of one late fee per installment) and cannot exceed 25% of the original order value.
Common Variations
Charges may appear as AFTERPAY, AFTERPAY US, AFTERPAY TOUCH, AP*AFTERPAY, or AFTERPAY followed by the merchant name. Some statements show the original retailer name alongside Afterpay. After the Block acquisition, some charges may show AFTERPAY BLOCK.
Is This Charge Legitimate?
Open the Afterpay app or log into afterpay.com to see all your active orders, payment schedules, and payment history. Each order shows the merchant, total amount, individual installment amounts, and due dates. Match the charge amount and date to your payment schedule. If you don't have an Afterpay account, someone may have used your card information — contact Afterpay immediately.
How to Dispute or Cancel
You cannot cancel an Afterpay payment plan once the order has shipped. If you return the item to the retailer, Afterpay will cancel remaining payments and refund completed ones once the retailer processes the return. For disputes, contact the retailer first for returns/exchanges, then contact Afterpay at help.afterpay.com. To stop all future Afterpay activity, delete your payment method from the Afterpay app and close your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Afterpay charging my card when I don't remember signing up?
Either you used Afterpay during an online checkout (it's offered as a payment option at many retailers), someone with access to your account made a purchase, or your card information was used fraudulently. Log into afterpay.com or download the Afterpay app to check for orders under your identity. If you find unauthorized orders, contact Afterpay support immediately and file a dispute with your bank.
What happens if I miss an Afterpay payment?
Afterpay charges a late fee of up to $8 if a payment isn't made on the due date. They will attempt to retry the payment. If multiple payments are missed, late fees are capped at 25% of the original order value. Afterpay does not charge interest. Repeated missed payments will reduce your spending limit and may result in account suspension. Afterpay does not report to credit bureaus for standard accounts, but persistent non-payment may be sent to collections.
How do I get a refund from Afterpay after returning an item?
Return the item directly to the retailer following their return policy. Once the retailer processes the return and notifies Afterpay, any remaining installments are canceled and previously paid installments are refunded to your original payment method. Refunds typically take 5-10 business days after the retailer processes the return. Contact Afterpay support if the refund doesn't appear after 14 days.
Can I pay off my Afterpay order early?
Yes. Open the Afterpay app, find the order, and select 'Make a payment' to pay upcoming installments early. There are no fees or penalties for paying early. This can free up your spending limit for new purchases. Each early payment reduces the number of automatic charges you'll see on your card.
Does Afterpay affect my credit score?
Standard Afterpay accounts do not involve a hard credit check and do not report payment history to credit bureaus. However, persistent non-payment that goes to collections may eventually affect your credit. Afterpay does offer a separate credit-building feature in some markets. Your Afterpay spending limit is determined by their own internal risk assessment, not your credit score.
Similar Charges
- AFTERPAY US
- AP*AFTERPAY
- AFTERPAY TOUCH GROUP
- AFTERPAY PURCHASE
- AFTERPAY*MERCHANT