What exactly is the BRILLIANT* charge on my bank statement?

The BRILLIANT* charge is a billing descriptor used by Brilliant.org when processing subscription payments for their premium math, science, and CS learning platform. It appears for both monthly and annual plans.

Why does the charge say BRILLIANT* instead of just Brilliant.org?

Banks display a shortened merchant descriptor, so Brilliant.org appears as BRILLIANT* on statements. The asterisk is commonly used by subscription services to separate the brand name from additional billing details.

Can I get a refund for a BRILLIANT* charge?

BRILLIANT may offer refunds, especially for accidental renewals or if you contact them shortly after being charged. Email support@brilliant.org with your account details and reason for the refund request.

How do I cancel my BRILLIANT subscription to stop future charges?

Log into your Brilliant.org account, go to Settings, then Billing, and select 'Cancel Subscription.' Cancel before your renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing period.

How do I stop future BRILLIANT* charges if I didn't authorize the subscription?

Contact BRILLIANT support immediately at support@brilliant.org to cancel and request a refund, then notify your bank to block future charges from BRILLIANT* and consider requesting a new card number.

Home›Browse Charges›Education›BRILLIANT*

BRILLIANT* Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

✓ Legitimate

The "BRILLIANT*" charge is from Brilliant. Brilliant STEM learning subscription.

🌍 US🕐 7 min read📅 Updated May 22, 2026

Brilliant

Brilliant STEM learning subscription.

BRILLIANT*

Why this shows on your statement

Brilliant uses the truncated descriptor "BRILLIANT*" on bank and credit card statements because their subscription billing system follows a common payment processor convention where an asterisk separates the merchant name from additional transaction details that may follow, such as a plan type or billing period. The asterisk format is widely used by subscription-based services processed through platforms like Stripe or Braintree, which automatically append this character to distinguish recurring charges from one-time purchases. If you recognize paying for a STEM learning subscription at around $24.99 per month, the "BRILLIANT*" charge on your statement is almost certainly your active Brilliant membership.

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What should you do?

Confirm your Brilliant subscription

Log in to your account at brilliant.org and navigate to your subscription settings to verify that an active Brilliant STEM learning plan is associated with your account and matches the charge amount on your bank statement.

Check who in your household enrolled

The BRILLIANT* charge is a recurring subscription fee for Brilliant's STEM learning platform. Check with family members or anyone who may have access to your email address, as they may have signed up for a Brilliant plan under your payment method.

Review your Brilliant billing history

Visit brilliant.org and go to your account billing section to review past payment dates and amounts. This will help you confirm whether the BRILLIANT* charge on your statement aligns with your expected renewal date and subscription tier.

Cancel your Brilliant subscription if needed

If you no longer wish to be charged, go to brilliant.org/account to manage or cancel your Brilliant subscription. Make sure to cancel before your next renewal date to avoid being billed again for the following period.

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How to cancel Brilliant

Brilliant bills you Monthly. To stop future charges, cancel from your account directly.

Cancel at Brilliant

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Should you be worried?

No, this is a legitimate charge from Brilliant. However, if you did not authorize this charge or cancelled your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, seeing "BRILLIANT*" on your statement is completely normal. Before assuming fraud, check your recent purchases — most mystery charges have a simple explanation.

Is the BRILLIANT* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

If you've spotted BRILLIANT* on your bank or credit card statement, it most likely comes from Brilliant.org, a popular online learning platform focused on math, science, and computer science courses. This charge typically appears when you've subscribed to Brilliant's premium membership, which provides full access to their interactive problem-solving courses.

Here are common reasons why the BRILLIANT* charge may appear on your statement:

You signed up for a Brilliant premium subscription (monthly or annual)
A free trial from BRILLIANT converted into a paid subscription
A family member or household user subscribed using your payment method
BRILLIANT processed an automatic annual renewal you may have forgotten about

If none of these apply, the charge could be unauthorized and should be investigated promptly with your bank.

How to Verify the BRILLIANT* Charge

1
Log into your Brilliant account
Visit Brilliant.org and sign in. Navigate to your account settings and check the 'Billing' or 'Subscription' section to confirm whether an active plan matches the BRILLIANT* charge amount.
2
Search your email for Brilliant receipts
Search your inbox for emails from Brilliant.org or noreply@brilliant.org. BRILLIANT sends confirmation emails for new subscriptions and renewal charges that should match your statement.
3
Check with household members
Ask family members or anyone with access to your payment method if they signed up for a BRILLIANT subscription, especially if Brilliant was used for a student or gift membership.
4
Review your subscription manager
Check your device's subscription manager (Apple ID, Google Play, or PayPal) to see if a BRILLIANT subscription was started through a third-party platform and is billing there.
5
Contact your bank for charge details
Call the number on the back of your card and ask for the full merchant details behind the BRILLIANT* charge. This can help confirm whether it originated from Brilliant.org.

How to Dispute a BRILLIANT* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Credit card disputes for unauthorized BRILLIANT* charges should be filed within 60 days of the statement date. Acting quickly improves your chances of a full refund.
2
Contact BRILLIANT directly first
Reach out to Brilliant's support team at support@brilliant.org. Explain the situation and request a refund — BRILLIANT may resolve billing issues faster than a bank dispute.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If BRILLIANT does not resolve the issue, contact your bank or card issuer to file a formal chargeback. Provide your communication records with BRILLIANT as supporting evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If you suspect the BRILLIANT* charge is fraudulent and not from Brilliant.org, ask your bank to issue a new card number to prevent any further unauthorized charges.