What is "INSTACART*" on my bank statement?
INSTACART* is usually a legitimate charge from Instacart for grocery delivery or pickup orders.
Merchant: Instacart | Category: Food Delivery
What Is This Charge?
A charge from Instacart reflects a purchase at Instacart, the grocery delivery and pickup platform founded in 2012. Instacart does not operate as a traditional chain of owned grocery stores, because it connects customers to orders fulfilled through partner retailers and local shoppers. Instacart is a grocery delivery business, and the charge usually covers groceries, delivery, service fees, or a membership-related payment. A statement line that starts with INSTACART* usually means the order was placed through Instacart’s app or website.
Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?
This charge appears when someone in your household places a grocery order through the Instacart app or website. It also appears when an order includes delivery fees, service fees, tips, or a membership renewal tied to Instacart+. A temporary card authorization can also show up before the final amount posts, especially when the order includes weighted items like produce, meat, or deli products. A charge can appear after a replacement item, a tip adjustment, or a same-day pickup order is completed.
Typical Charge Amounts
Typical Instacart charges often start around $10 to $25 for small service or delivery-related fees, and full grocery orders commonly land between $35 and $150. Instacart+ membership fees are commonly billed at about $99 per year or about $9.99 per month, depending on the plan and promotion. A temporary authorization hold can be higher than the final charge, and holds of $1, $10, or $50 are common on debit and credit cards before the order settles. Orders with alcohol, heavy items, or tipped delivery can post higher totals because the final amount includes taxes, fees, and tip changes.
Common Variations
INSTACART* INSTACART* ORDER INSTACART*1234 INSTACART*CA INSTACART* DELIVERY INSTACART*SHOP INSTACART*PICKUP INSTACART* [store number] INSTACART* [order number] INSTACART* [city or state code]
Is This Charge Legitimate?
Check the Instacart app or sign in at https://www.instacart.com to match the statement amount with your order history. Review the receipt for the order date, store name, delivery fee, service fee, tip, and any substitutions that changed the final total. If you do not recognize the charge, ask family members or roommates whether they used your card for a grocery order or membership renewal. If the charge still looks wrong, contact Instacart Support through the Help Center in the app or website and compare the receipt before opening a bank dispute.
How to Dispute or Cancel
1. Open the Instacart app or go to https://www.instacart.com/help and review the receipt, because the final charge can differ from the original estimate. 2. Contact Instacart Support through the Help Center and request a refund, order review, or membership cancellation if the charge is not yours. 3. Call the merchant support line shown in the app or on the receipt if you need immediate help, because Instacart routes most billing issues through account support rather than a public billing desk. 4. If Instacart does not resolve the issue, call the number on the back of your card and file a card dispute right away, because banks can reverse unauthorized or duplicate charges while the merchant review is pending. Instacart orders are usually tied to a digital receipt, so keep screenshots, order numbers, and timestamps before you dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Instacart charge show as INSTACART* ORDER?
INSTACART* ORDER usually means the payment came from a completed grocery order placed through Instacart. The descriptor can include the word ORDER, a store code, or a city code when the transaction is routed through a partner retailer. Check the Instacart receipt in the app to match the order total, delivery fee, service fee, and tip.
How do I cancel my Instacart subscription?
You can cancel Instacart+ by opening the Instacart app, going to your account or membership settings, and turning off auto-renewal. You can also sign in at https://www.instacart.com and manage the membership from your account page. Cancel before the next billing date if you want to avoid the next monthly or annual charge.
Why is my Instacart charge a different amount than expected?
Instacart charges can change because the final order price includes weighted items, substitutions, tips, taxes, and service fees. A temporary authorization may also be higher than the final posted amount, especially for grocery orders with produce or meat. The receipt in the app shows the final settled total.
Can Instacart charges include a tip or delivery fee?
Yes, Instacart charges can include a delivery fee, a service fee, and a tip for the shopper or driver. Those amounts may appear separately in the order summary but post together on your card statement. Review the receipt to see exactly how much was charged for each part.
How do I know if an Instacart charge is fraud?
Treat the charge as suspicious if no one in your household used Instacart, the amount does not match any receipt, or the order date is unfamiliar. Check your email, the Instacart app, and your card history for matching transactions. If you still cannot verify it, contact Instacart Support and then file a bank dispute.
Similar Charges
- INSTACART*
- INSTACART* ORDER
- INSTACART*1234
- INSTACART*CA
- INSTACART* DELIVERY