What is "CHARGEBACK" on my bank statement?

CHARGEBACK usually means your bank reversed a disputed card charge, not a new purchase.

Merchant: Bank | Category: Banking

Is This Charge Legitimate?

Yes, in most cases CHARGEBACK is a legitimate banking entry, not a scam merchant charge. It usually means your bank or card issuer reversed a previous transaction after a dispute, refund, or fraud claim. If you did not file a dispute, it is still worth checking because the descriptor can reflect a bank adjustment rather than a purchase.

What Is CHARGEBACK?

CHARGEBACK is a banking and payments term used by card issuers and banks in the financial services industry. It refers to a reversal of a card transaction, often after the cardholder disputes the charge or the merchant fails to provide proof of the sale. Unlike a normal merchant name, this descriptor is usually tied to the bank’s internal processing or a card network action rather than a store or subscription. In some cases, it may appear when a provisional credit is posted, when a merchant refund is converted into a reversal, or when a prior charge is formally removed from your account.

Why This Charge Appears on Your Statement

This entry appears when a disputed transaction is reversed back to your account, so the amount is often the same as the original charge but shown as a credit or offset. It can be triggered by a fraud claim, a billing dispute, a returned item, or a merchant-initiated reversal processed through the card network. The amount may be positive or negative depending on how your bank formats credits and debits. If you see CHARGEBACK alongside another merchant name, the bank may be linking the reversal to the original transaction.

How to Verify This Charge

First, review your recent disputes, refund requests, and fraud reports with your bank or card issuer to see whether you or someone on your account initiated a chargeback. Next, compare the amount and date to any original transaction that was reversed, refunded, or credited. Log in to your online banking or card portal and look for transaction notes, dispute case numbers, or linked merchant details. If you share the card with a spouse, family member, or employee, ask whether they contacted the bank about a charge.

What to Do If You Don't Recognize It

Start by checking whether the chargeback is actually a credit or reversal for a purchase you made earlier. Then ask anyone with access to the card whether they filed a dispute or requested a refund. If the entry still does not make sense, contact your bank or card issuer and ask them to explain the chargeback reference and the original transaction it relates to. If the bank confirms it is unauthorized or incorrect, request a formal review and follow the issuer’s dispute process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CHARGEBACK charge on my bank statement?

CHARGEBACK usually means a disputed card charge was reversed by your bank or card issuer. It is typically not a purchase from a merchant, but a banking adjustment tied to an earlier transaction. Check your dispute history or recent refunds to match it to the original charge.

Is CHARGEBACK a scam or legitimate charge?

CHARGEBACK is usually legitimate and related to bank processing, not a scam merchant. It often appears after a fraud claim, billing dispute, or merchant reversal. If you did not request it, contact your bank to confirm what transaction it refers to.

Why was I charged by CHARGEBACK?

You may see CHARGEBACK because a previous transaction was reversed, credited, or disputed. Banks use this label when they process a formal reversal through the card network. The amount usually matches the original charge or appears as a credit entry.

How do I cancel or get a refund from CHARGEBACK?

There is usually nothing to cancel because CHARGEBACK is a bank action, not a merchant subscription. If it is tied to a dispute you filed, contact your bank or card issuer for the status of the case. If you believe the reversal is wrong, ask the bank to review the linked transaction.

Why does CHARGEBACK appear twice on my statement?

It may appear twice if the original charge and the reversal are both shown, or if a provisional credit was later replaced by a final chargeback entry. Some banks also show both a pending and posted version of the same adjustment. Compare the dates and amounts to see whether one entry is the offset for the other.

Similar Charges

  • CHARGEBACK
  • CHARGEBACK REVERSAL
  • CBK CHARGEBACK
  • CHARGEBACK ADJ
  • BANK CHARGEBACK

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