What ChargeDecoder is — and isn't

Why this exists

Every bank and credit card statement is full of abbreviated, truncated, and deliberately opaque merchant names — VIOC, ACHMA VISB, FENIX INTERNET, SQ *DAILY GRIND. These are real charges from real companies, but the names on the statement are designed for payment networks, not for humans. ChargeDecoder exists to bridge that gap.

Editorial standards

Every charge entry is researched and written to answer three questions: What is this charge? Why does it show up looking like that? What should you do if you don't recognize it? Each page links to the merchant's own support or dispute-resolution page so you can verify independently.

Charge descriptors and billing practices change. We review entries periodically, but you should always verify with the merchant or your bank before acting on any information here.

What this is not

ChargeDecoder is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any company listed. It is not a financial advisor, a credit counseling service, or a dispute-resolution service. Nothing here is financial or legal advice — for disputes, your bank has the final word.

Privacy

ChargeDecoder does not require an account, does not collect personal information, and does not track what you search for. The search box runs entirely in your browser. Read the full privacy policy.

Contact

Found a charge we haven't decoded, or spotted an error? Suggest it through the search bar — if nothing matches, you'll see a link to browse the full collection.