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Identify an unknown charge on your card statement

Paste the line you don't recognize and see which business charged you. The tool reads the processor tag, the billing name and the store number.

A man frowning at a charge on his phone

How to read SQ *CORNER CAFE 4417

  • SQ *Square, the payment processor
  • CORNER CAFEThe business that charged you
  • 4417A store or terminal number

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How to identify an unknown charge on your statement

A statement line is usually three things glued together: the payment processor's tag, the business's billing name and whatever the card terminal added on the end. Pull them apart and you'll usually recognize the purchase.

  1. Copy the line exactly

    Include the prefix, the asterisk and the city at the end, because those are what identify the processor and the location. Tidying the line up before you paste it throws the clues away.

  2. Read the processor tag

    SQ* is Square, TST* is Toast and PADDLE.NET* is a software reseller. The tag tells you what kind of business it is even when the name after it means nothing to you.

  3. Search the cleaned name

    Once the tag, store number and order reference are gone, what's left is usually something you can search for. Add your city if the name is a common one.

  4. Check before you dispute

    Compare the date and amount with your calendar and your email. Most charges people don't recognize are real purchases billed under an unfamiliar legal name, and disputing one can get your card blocked.

Frequently asked questions

Usually because the name on the statement isn't the name on the storefront. Payment processors such as Square, Toast and Stripe put their own tag in front of the merchant name, banks cut the whole line to about 22 characters, and many businesses trade under one name but bill under their registered legal name.

SQ * means the business takes payments through Square. Whatever follows the asterisk is the business itself, usually an independent café, salon or small shop. TST* is the same thing for Toast, which is almost always a restaurant.

Probably not, since most charges people don't recognize turn out to be legitimate. Before disputing, check the date against your calendar, search your email for a receipt and call the merchant on the number shown on the statement. Disputing a real charge can get your card blocked and your account with that merchant closed.

No. Everything runs in your browser against a built-in list of processor tags and billing names. Nothing you paste leaves your device and we never see it.

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Every charge, already matched to its receipt

Smartbills pairs each card transaction with its receipt as it comes in. A cryptic statement line is never the only record of what you bought.

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