Unauthorized Bank Charges — Complete Guide
How to identify fraudulent card descriptors, dispute unauthorized charges under Regulation E and the Fair Credit Billing Act, and report billing scams in the US.
Last updated: 2026-07-02
What counts as an unauthorized charge
An unauthorized charge is any transaction you did not approve — including hidden subscriptions after a free trial, card-testing micro-charges, and merchants that use confusing statement descriptors.
US federal law treats unauthorized debit and credit card charges differently. Debit cards fall under Regulation E; credit cards under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). Both give you dispute rights, but timelines differ.
- •Charges after a cancelled subscription or trial
- •Descriptors you do not recognize on your statement
- •Duplicate or recurring charges you never authorized
- •Merchant names that do not match the company you thought you paid
Your rights as a US consumer
You generally have 60 days from the statement date to dispute unauthorized debit charges. Credit card billing errors follow FCBA dispute rules — contact your issuer promptly and in writing when possible.
Your bank must investigate and provisionally credit your account for valid unauthorized debit disputes while the investigation runs.
Step-by-step
- 1
Document the charge
Screenshot your statement, note the descriptor, date, and amount. Save any emails or receipts tied to the merchant.
- 2
Contact your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card. Say the charge is unauthorized. Ask for a provisional credit while they investigate.
- 3
File a formal dispute
For debit cards, Regulation E gives you 60 days from the statement date. For credit cards, the Fair Credit Billing Act applies.
- 4
Report to regulators
File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If your bank delays or denies the dispute, escalate through the CFPB complaint portal.
- 5
Monitor for recurrence
Scammers often retry small charges or rotate descriptors. Watch the next two billing cycles and consider a new card if fraud continues.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I report even if I got my money back?
- Yes. Regulators use reports to identify patterns and shut down fraud networks. A refund from your bank does not replace an official fraud report.
- Will disputing hurt my credit score?
- Disputing an unauthorized charge through your bank or card issuer does not appear on your credit report and does not lower your score.
- Can I dispute a charge I authorized but regret?
- That is a merchant dispute, not an unauthorized charge. You may still contact the merchant or your bank, but legal protections are stronger when you never approved the transaction.
- How do I look up a strange descriptor?
- Search TitanAlert's descriptor database. Thousands of fraudulent billing names are catalogued with threat scores and community reports.
Related resources
Cluster guides in this silo
Chargeback Basics for US Consumers
What a chargeback is, when to request one, and how Regulation E and FCBA protect debit and credit card holders.
Subscription Trap Charges on Your Statement
How free-trial scams hide recurring billing behind vague descriptors and what to do when cancellation pages fail.
Card Testing Fraud — Small Mystery Charges
Why scammers place $0.01–$5.00 charges on stolen cards and how to respond before larger fraud hits.
Regulation E — Debit Card Dispute Rights
Federal protections for unauthorized electronic fund transfers on US debit and prepaid cards.
Bank Dispute Timeline — What to Expect
Step-by-step timeline from spotting a fraudulent charge to provisional credit and final resolution.