What exactly is the MICROSOFT*365 charge on my bank statement?

The MICROSOFT*365 charge is how Microsoft 365 subscription billing appears on your bank or credit card statement. It covers plans like Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Business that renew automatically on a monthly or annual basis.

Why does the charge say MICROSOFT*365 instead of Microsoft 365?

Banks and card networks truncate merchant names to fit statement formats, so Microsoft 365 appears as MICROSOFT*365. The asterisk is a standard separator used by Microsoft's payment processor, not a sign of fraud.

Can I get a refund for the MICROSOFT*365 charge?

Yes, Microsoft 365 offers refunds in certain situations, such as accidental renewals or charges within a short window after billing. Contact Microsoft support at support.microsoft.com promptly to request a refund for the MICROSOFT*365 charge.

How do I cancel Microsoft 365 to stop future MICROSOFT*365 charges?

Sign in at account.microsoft.com, go to 'Services & subscriptions,' find your Microsoft 365 plan, and select 'Cancel.' Canceling before your renewal date will prevent the next MICROSOFT*365 charge from appearing on your statement.

How do I permanently stop MICROSOFT*365 charges from hitting my account?

Cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription and remove your payment method from your Microsoft account under 'Payment & billing.' This ensures no future MICROSOFT*365 charges can be processed against your card.

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MICROSOFT*365 Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

✓ Legitimate

The "MICROSOFT*365" charge is from Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 subscription.

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

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 subscription.

MICROSOFT*365

What is this charge?

When Microsoft processes subscription payments for Microsoft 365, they use a condensed billing descriptor format that combines the brand name with an asterisk followed by the product name, resulting in MICROSOFT*365 appearing on your statement. The asterisk is a standard convention used by payment processors to separate a merchant's name from a product or service identifier within the strict character limits imposed by card networks like Visa and Mastercard. Microsoft applies this format consistently across their subscription services to fit billing information into the limited descriptor field while still making it recognizable to customers reviewing their bank statements.

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How to handle this charge

Verify Your Microsoft 365 Subscription

Log in to your Microsoft account at microsoft.com and navigate to your account dashboard to confirm you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription. Check the subscription tier and billing cycle to make sure the MICROSOFT*365 charge on your statement matches what you signed up for.

Review Your Microsoft 365 Billing History

Visit account.microsoft.com/services to view your full Microsoft 365 billing history. Compare the charge amount and date from your bank statement against the invoices listed there to ensure the MICROSOFT*365 charge is accurate and expected.

Check for Duplicate or Unexpected Microsoft 365 Plans

At account.microsoft.com/services, review whether you are paying for multiple Microsoft 365 plans, such as a personal and a family plan, or an old plan you no longer use. If you find any redundant subscriptions, cancel the ones you do not need directly from that page.

Manage or Cancel Your Microsoft 365 Subscription

If you no longer want the service generating the MICROSOFT*365 charge, go to account.microsoft.com/services and select your Microsoft 365 subscription to cancel or downgrade it. Make sure to cancel before your next billing date to avoid being charged again in the following cycle.

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How to cancel Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 bills you Monthly. To stop future charges, cancel from your account directly.

Cancel at Microsoft 365

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Quick fraud check

No, this is a legitimate charge from Microsoft 365. However, if you did not authorize this charge or cancelled your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.

Is the MICROSOFT*365 Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

The MICROSOFT*365 charge is almost always a legitimate billing from Microsoft for a Microsoft 365 subscription, such as Personal, Family, or Business plans. It appears on your bank or credit card statement when Microsoft processes a recurring payment for access to Office apps, cloud storage, and other services. However, if you don't recall signing up, it's worth investigating before assuming fraud.

Microsoft 365 subscriptions renew automatically, triggering the MICROSOFT*365 charge on your billing date
Family plan members may not realize one household member set up the subscription under a shared payment method
Free trials of Microsoft 365 automatically convert to paid plans, which show as MICROSOFT*365 on statements
In rare cases, MICROSOFT*365 could indicate unauthorized use of your card if you have no Microsoft account or subscription

How to Verify the MICROSOFT*365 Charge

1
Log into your Microsoft account
Visit account.microsoft.com and sign in to check your active subscriptions. Look for any Microsoft 365 plan listed under 'Services & subscriptions' to confirm the MICROSOFT*365 charge.
2
Search your email for receipts
Search your inbox for emails from microsoft.com with subject lines like 'Your Microsoft 365 receipt' or 'Order confirmation.' These emails will match the date and amount of the MICROSOFT*365 charge on your statement.
3
Check with household members
Ask family members if they signed up for Microsoft 365 using your payment method. Microsoft 365 Family plans cover up to 6 users, and a relative may have set up billing without your knowledge.
4
Review all linked payment methods
Inside your Microsoft account, go to 'Payment & billing' to see which card is charged for Microsoft 365. Confirm the last four digits match the card showing the MICROSOFT*365 charge.
5
Contact your bank for details
If you still can't verify the MICROSOFT*365 charge, call the number on the back of your card. Your bank can provide the exact merchant ID and transaction details to help confirm whether the charge is genuine.

How to Dispute a MICROSOFT*365 Charge

1
Act within 60 days
Most banks require you to dispute an unrecognized MICROSOFT*365 charge within 60 days of the statement date. Act quickly to preserve your right to a chargeback and protect your funds.
2
Contact Microsoft 365 support first
Reach out to Microsoft support at support.microsoft.com before going to your bank. Microsoft 365 often issues refunds for accidental renewals or unauthorized charges faster than the bank dispute process.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Microsoft 365 support cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or card issuer to file a formal chargeback for the MICROSOFT*365 charge. Provide your account details, the charge amount, and any communication you had with Microsoft.
4
Request a new card number
If you believe your card was used fraudulently for the MICROSOFT*365 charge, ask your bank to issue a new card number. This prevents any further unauthorized Microsoft 365 charges from being processed.