Why You're Seeing "AMERICAN WATER*" on Your Bank Statement
What Is "AMERICAN WATER*" on My Bank Statement?
The AMERICAN WATER* charge on your bank statement comes from American Water, one of the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility companies in the United States. This charge represents your monthly water and/or wastewater service bill for your home or business. American Water serves millions of customers across multiple states, so if you receive water utility services through them or one of their regulated subsidiaries, this is a routine recurring charge. The asterisk following the descriptor is commonly used by utility billing systems to indicate a direct billing transaction.
The descriptor AMERICAN WATER* appears on your bank statement because American Water uses a truncated billing identifier when processing payments through their automated payment systems. Many utility companies use shortened or slightly modified versions of their brand name as the merchant descriptor when charging customers directly via ACH transfer or credit/debit card. The asterisk is typically appended by the payment processor to denote a recurring or subscription-type utility payment.
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In most cases, seeing "AMERICAN WATER*" on your statement is completely normal. Before assuming fraud, check your recent purchases â most mystery charges have a simple explanation.
Is the AMERICAN WATER* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?
If you see AMERICAN WATER* on your bank or credit card statement, this charge is most likely a legitimate billing from American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. American Water serves millions of customers across multiple states and uses the descriptor AMERICAN WATER* when processing payments for monthly water and wastewater services.
Common legitimate reasons you may see this charge include:
- Monthly water utility bill paid via autopay or online through your American Water account
- A one-time online payment made at amwater.com for your water service bill
- Enrollment in American Water's budget billing or equal payment plan program
- Payment for American Water's Home Protection Program, which covers service line repairs
However, if you do not have an American Water account or do not live in an American Water service area, you should treat this charge with caution and verify it immediately, as it could indicate unauthorized use of your payment information.
How to Verify the AMERICAN WATER* Charge
- 1
Log into your American Water account
Visit amwater.com and sign into your account to review your billing history. Your payment records will show if a charge matching AMERICAN WATER* was processed on the same date shown on your statement.
- 2
Search your email for American Water receipts
Search your inbox for emails from American Water or amwater.com. American Water sends payment confirmation emails each time a bill is paid, so a matching receipt will confirm the AMERICAN WATER* charge is valid.
- 3
Check if autopay is enabled
If you enrolled in American Water's automatic payment program, the AMERICAN WATER* charge will appear monthly on your statement. Log in to verify your autopay settings and the amount matches your current bill.
- 4
Ask other household members
Check with others in your household who may have access to the American Water account. A family member may have made a one-time payment or updated the payment method, resulting in the AMERICAN WATER* charge.
- 5
Contact American Water customer service
Call American Water at 1-800-652-6987 or use the chat feature at amwater.com to ask a representative to confirm whether a payment was received matching the AMERICAN WATER* charge on your statement.
How to Dispute an AMERICAN WATER* Charge
- 1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks require disputes to be filed within 60 days of the statement date. If you believe the AMERICAN WATER* charge is unauthorized or incorrect, begin the dispute process as quickly as possible to protect your rights.
- 2
Contact American Water directly first
Reach out to American Water at 1-800-652-6987 before filing a bank dispute. American Water's billing team can investigate the AMERICAN WATER* charge and may issue a correction or refund faster than a chargeback process.
- 3
File a chargeback with your bank or card issuer
If American Water cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer to file a formal chargeback for the AMERICAN WATER* charge. Provide your statement, any communication with American Water, and a clear explanation of the dispute.
- 4
Request a new card if fraud is suspected
If you have no American Water account and cannot explain the AMERICAN WATER* charge, ask your bank to cancel your current card and issue a replacement. Also report the potential fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Tips for Managing AMERICAN WATER* Charges
Enable billing alerts in your American Water account so you're notified before each AMERICAN WATER* charge posts.
Save American Water payment confirmation emails to easily match them against future AMERICAN WATER* statement entries.
Secure your American Water online account with a strong, unique password to prevent unauthorized payments.
Note your American Water billing cycle date so AMERICAN WATER* charges never appear as unexpected surprises.
Review your American Water Home Protection Plan enrollment to understand all recurring AMERICAN WATER* fees.
Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify related charges that may appear alongside AMERICAN WATER* on your statement.
Frequently Asked Questions About the AMERICAN WATER* Charge
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