The short answer
SUBSTACK* NEWS (or SUBSTACK* [PUBLICATION]) represents a monthly ($5-$50) or annual paid newsletter subscription to an independent writer on Substack.
Why Substack appears on your bank statement
When you notice the statement descriptor SUBSTACK* NEWS on your credit card statement, it indicates a recurring payment representing a Substack Paid Newsletter Subscription processed by Subsplash Inc. This platform hosts independent journalists, writers, and podcasters who publish paid newsletters directly to readers worldwide.
Such charges appear on your account because you opted into a monthly or annual subscription for an independent publication, or because an existing subscription reached its automatic renewal date. Similar to premium publishing platforms like medium-membership or wsj-subscription, transaction costs typically range from five to fifteen dollars monthly or fifty to one hundred fifty dollars annually depending on the author's pricing tier.
To stop future billing or manage your reading preferences, sign into your account at the official Substack website and navigate to your subscription settings to cancel individual publication renewals before the next billing cycle begins. If you believe the charge is fraudulent or unauthorized, you can contact customer support or dispute the transaction directly with your issuing bank within your statutory consumer rights window. Reviewing your receipt archives helps identify specific publication titles.
- Monthly paid newsletter subscription renewal ($5 to $15/month).
- Annual newsletter subscription auto-renewal ($50 to $150/year).
- Founding member one-time annual contribution.
- Check substack.com/settings/subscriptions Log in at substack.com and view your Subscriptions list to see all active paid newsletters.
- Cancel individual newsletter auto-renewal Click on the specific publication, select 'Manage Subscription', and choose 'Cancel subscription'.
How do I find out which Substack newsletter charged me?
Sign in at substack.com/settings/subscriptions. The dashboard lists every newsletter you support and its renewal date.
Why did Substack Inc. charge my card or bank account?
Charges from Substack Inc. under statement descriptor "SUBSTACK* NEWS" usually correspond to authorized direct purchases, digital orders, or recurring membership renewals.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Substack Inc.. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- Substack Terms of Use https://substack.com
- CFPB: Subscription Billing Protections https://www.consumerfinance.gov
Reviewed Aug 15, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges