What exactly does the INSTACART* charge cover?

The INSTACART* charge covers your grocery order total, Instacart's service and delivery fees, and any tip you added. It may also appear separately for an Instacart+ membership renewal.

Why does the charge say INSTACART* instead of just 'Instacart'?

Banks truncate merchant names on statements, so Instacart appears as 'INSTACART*' often followed by a partial order or store name. This is normal and confirms the charge is from Instacart.

Can I get a refund for an INSTACART* charge?

Yes. Instacart offers refunds for missing or damaged items, incorrect charges, and in some cases membership fees. Contact Instacart support through the app or at instacart.com/help to initiate a refund.

How do I cancel my Instacart+ membership to stop recurring charges?

Open the Instacart app, tap your profile icon, select 'Instacart+,' then choose 'Cancel membership.' You can also cancel at instacart.com/store/account/instacart_plus. Canceling before your renewal date prevents the next INSTACART* billing.

How do I stop future INSTACART* charges from appearing?

Remove your saved payment method from your Instacart account settings and cancel any active Instacart+ subscription. You can also ask your bank to block the INSTACART* merchant code if charges continue unexpectedly.

Home›Browse Charges›Food›INSTACART*

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

✓ Legitimate

The "INSTACART*" charge is from Instacart. Instacart grocery delivery order.

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

Instacart

Instacart grocery delivery order.

INSTACART*

Why does this charge appear?

When Instacart processes a grocery delivery order through their payment system, the charge is submitted to your bank using a truncated merchant descriptor format, which is why you see "INSTACART*" rather than the full company name. The asterisk following the name is a standard delimiter used by payment processors like Stripe, which Instacart has historically partnered with, and it typically precedes additional transaction details such as an order number or store name that may appear after it on your statement. If you recently placed a grocery delivery order and notice a charge of around $45.00 from INSTACART*, this reflects the cost of your order including any applicable service fees.

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Your next steps

Check Your Recent Instacart Orders

Log in to your account at instacart.com and navigate to your order history. The INSTACART* charge on your statement should match a recent grocery delivery order, including the amount and date of the transaction.

Review Your Instacart Membership

Visit instacart.com to check whether you have an active Instacart+ membership subscription. Some INSTACART* charges may be recurring monthly or annual membership fees rather than individual grocery orders, so confirm which type of charge this is.

Manage or Cancel Your Instacart Account

If you no longer want to be charged by Instacart, go to instacart.com/account to manage your subscription settings or cancel your Instacart+ membership to prevent future INSTACART* charges from appearing on your bank statement.

Contact Instacart Support If the Amount Looks Off

If the INSTACART* charge amount does not match any order or membership fee in your account history, reach out to Instacart customer support directly through instacart.com to request a detailed breakdown or clarification of the specific charge.

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Legitimate or scam?

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

Is the INSTACART* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

An INSTACART* charge on your bank or credit card statement is almost always a legitimate transaction from Instacart, the popular grocery and household delivery service. This charge appears when you place a delivery order, pay a service or delivery fee, or are billed for an Instacart+ (formerly Instacart Express) membership subscription. Common reasons you may see this charge include:

A recent grocery or alcohol delivery placed through the Instacart app or website
An Instacart+ monthly or annual membership renewal billed automatically
A tip adjustment processed after your delivery was completed
A family member or household user placed an order using your saved payment method

How to Verify the INSTACART* Charge

1
Log into your Instacart account
Visit instacart.com or open the Instacart app, go to 'Your Orders,' and compare the charge amount and date to your recent order history.
2
Search your email for Instacart receipts
Search your inbox for emails from Instacart (no-reply@instacart.com). Every completed order or membership renewal generates an email receipt with a full cost breakdown.
3
Check if a household member placed an order
Ask family members or roommates if they used your saved payment method on Instacart, as shared accounts or saved cards can trigger unexpected INSTACART* charges.
4
Review your Instacart+ subscription status
In the Instacart app, go to 'Account' > 'Instacart+' to check if an active membership is billing you monthly ($9.99) or annually ($99). This is a frequent source of unrecognized INSTACART* charges.
5
Contact your bank for details
If you still can't place the charge, call your bank and ask for the full merchant name and transaction ID associated with the INSTACART* entry to help pinpoint the exact transaction.

How to Dispute an INSTACART* Charge

1
Act within 60 days
Credit card disputes must typically be filed within 60 days of the INSTACART* charge appearing on your statement. Check your statement date and act quickly to preserve your rights.
2
Contact Instacart support first
Reach out to Instacart's customer support at instacart.com/help or via in-app chat. Instacart can often issue refunds for duplicate charges, incorrect amounts, or unrecognized membership fees faster than a bank dispute.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Instacart support cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or card issuer to file a formal chargeback. Provide your Instacart order history, email receipts, and any correspondence with Instacart as evidence.
4
Request a new card if fraud is suspected
If you believe your card details were used fraudulently on Instacart without your knowledge, ask your bank to cancel the compromised card and issue a replacement to prevent further unauthorized INSTACART* charges.

Tips for Managing Instacart Charges

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Enable push notifications in the Instacart app so you're alerted immediately when an INSTACART* charge is processed.

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After each Instacart delivery, compare your emailed receipt to the INSTACART* charge amount to catch tip or fee discrepancies early.

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Use a unique, strong password for your Instacart account and enable two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized orders.

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Note your Instacart+ renewal date and set a calendar reminder a few days before so the membership charge never catches you off guard.

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Use a virtual card number for Instacart purchases to limit fraud exposure and easily block charges without replacing your main card.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify related charges like INSTACART*FEES or INSTACART*PLUS that may appear alongside your delivery charge.

ℹ️ Note

Most INSTACART* charges are completely legitimate and simply reflect a recent grocery delivery or an Instacart+ membership renewal — a quick check of your Instacart order history or email receipts will usually explain the charge within minutes.