What is the BSNL* charge on my bank statement?

The BSNL* charge is a payment processed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for telecom services such as broadband, fiber, mobile postpaid, or prepaid recharges. The asterisk is a standard billing descriptor format used by BSNL's payment gateway.

Why does the charge say BSNL* instead of just BSNL?

The 'BSNL*' format appears because BSNL uses a payment processor or gateway that appends an asterisk to the merchant name. This is a common practice among telecom companies and does not indicate anything suspicious about the charge.

Can I get a refund for a BSNL* charge I didn't authorize?

Yes. Contact BSNL customer care at 1800-345-1500 with your transaction details. If BSNL confirms the charge was unauthorized or erroneous, they can process a refund. You can also escalate to your bank for a chargeback if BSNL doesn't resolve it.

How do I cancel my BSNL subscription to stop the charges?

To cancel a BSNL service, visit your nearest BSNL Customer Service Centre, call 1800-345-1500, or submit a cancellation request through the BSNL Self Care Portal. Make sure to also remove your card from any saved BSNL auto-pay settings.

How do I stop future BSNL* charges from appearing on my card?

Log into the BSNL Self Care Portal and remove your card from auto-pay or recurring payment settings. If the charges continue, ask your bank to block future transactions from the BSNL* merchant ID on your account.

Home›Browse Charges›Telecom›BSNL*

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

✓ Legitimate

The "BSNL*" charge is from BSNL India. BSNL broadband or mobile bill.

🌍 IN🕐 8 min read📅 Updated May 22, 2026

BSNL India

BSNL broadband or mobile bill.

BSNL*

Why does this charge appear?

BSNL India's billing systems truncate the company identifier to "BSNL*" on bank statements because the state-owned telecom uses automated payment processing infrastructure that applies a shorthand code followed by an asterisk, a formatting convention commonly used by large utility and telecom providers to separate the merchant name from any trailing transaction reference data. The asterisk in "BSNL*" often indicates that additional characters, such as a circle code or regional billing zone identifier, may follow depending on your bank's display settings, which is why some customers see only the truncated version. If you spot this descriptor alongside a charge of around ₹299, it is almost certainly your monthly BSNL broadband or mobile bill processed through their centralized billing platform.

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Your next steps

Verify your BSNL account

Log in to your BSNL account at bsnl.co.in and check your billing history to confirm the BSNL* charge on your bank statement matches your current broadband or mobile plan amount and billing date.

Review your BSNL service plan

While logged into bsnl.co.in, review your active BSNL broadband or mobile plan details to ensure the charge reflects the correct subscription tier, any add-ons, or usage-based fees you have authorized.

Contact BSNL India support

If the BSNL* charge amount looks unfamiliar or higher than expected, reach out to BSNL India customer care directly through bsnl.co.in to request a detailed bill breakdown and clarify any discrepancies before assuming it is an error.

Manage or cancel your BSNL subscription

If you no longer use your BSNL broadband or mobile service and want to stop future BSNL* charges, visit bsnl.co.in to manage your subscription, request a disconnection, or downgrade your plan to avoid recurring billing.

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How to cancel BSNL India

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

Cancel at BSNL India

ℹ️ International processing

This charge is processed in IN. You may see a foreign transaction fee from your bank (typically 1-3%).

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Legitimate or scam?

No, this is a legitimate charge from BSNL India. 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 "BSNL*" on your statement is completely normal. Before assuming fraud, check your recent purchases — most mystery charges have a simple explanation.

Is the BSNL* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

If you see a BSNL* charge on your bank or credit card statement, it most likely comes from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's government-owned telecommunications company. BSNL provides broadband, mobile, landline, and fiber internet services across India, and the BSNL* descriptor typically appears when a recurring payment for one of these services is processed. However, if you do not have an active BSNL plan or did not authorize the payment, the charge warrants closer investigation.

You or a family member recently activated or renewed a BSNL broadband or mobile plan
You set up an auto-pay or standing instruction for a BSNL postpaid or fiber connection
A BSNL prepaid recharge was completed through a third-party app that billed your card
The charge amount matches a known BSNL plan tariff (e.g., ₹199, ₹499, ₹999 broadband plans)

How to Verify the BSNL* Charge

1
Log into your BSNL account
Visit the BSNL Self Care Portal at selfcare.bsnl.co.in or the BSNL app and check your billing history. Match the charge amount and date to an invoice in your BSNL account dashboard.
2
Search your email for BSNL receipts
Search your inbox for emails from BSNL containing keywords like 'BSNL invoice', 'BSNL recharge', or 'BSNL payment confirmation' to find a matching transaction receipt.
3
Check if a household member made the payment
Ask family members whether they paid a BSNL bill or recharged a BSNL SIM using your card, as shared accounts or auto-pay setups can generate unexpected BSNL* charges.
4
Review third-party recharge apps
If you use apps like PhonePe, Paytm, or Google Pay for BSNL recharges, check their transaction history — these platforms may bill your card and show up as BSNL* on your statement.
5
Contact your bank for details
Ask your bank for the full merchant details behind the BSNL* charge, including the merchant ID and transaction reference, which can help confirm whether the charge originated from BSNL.

How to Dispute a BSNL* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks require you to raise a dispute within 60 days of the BSNL* charge appearing on your statement. Note the exact date, amount, and transaction ID before contacting anyone.
2
Contact BSNL customer support first
Call BSNL's customer care at 1800-345-1500 (toll-free) or raise a complaint at bsnlportal.bsnl.co.in. BSNL can investigate the charge and issue a refund if the billing was erroneous.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If BSNL does not resolve the issue, contact your bank or card issuer to file a formal chargeback against the BSNL* transaction. Provide all communication records with BSNL as supporting evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If you suspect the BSNL* charge is fraudulent and your card details were compromised, ask your bank to cancel your current card and issue a new one to prevent further unauthorized charges.