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

The MINECRAFT* charge is the billing descriptor used by Mojang Studios for Minecraft purchases, including game copies, Realms subscriptions, and Marketplace content bought through a Microsoft account.

Why does the charge say MINECRAFT* instead of just Minecraft or Mojang?

Payment processors often truncate or abbreviate merchant names. MINECRAFT* is the shortened descriptor Microsoft and Mojang use, and the asterisk typically separates the brand name from the specific product or region code.

Can I get a refund for a MINECRAFT* charge?

Yes, Minecraft offers refunds in certain cases. Visit help.minecraft.net within 15 days of the charge and submit a refund request. Realms subscriptions that have not been heavily used may also qualify for a prorated refund.

How do I cancel my Minecraft Realms subscription to stop recurring MINECRAFT* charges?

Log into Minecraft, go to the Realms menu, select your active Realm, and choose 'Manage Subscription.' From there you can cancel, which will stop future MINECRAFT* billing at the end of the current paid period.

How do I stop future unauthorized MINECRAFT* charges?

Secure your Microsoft account with a strong password and two-factor authentication, remove saved payment methods you no longer want used, and set up Microsoft Family Safety spending limits to prevent unexpected MINECRAFT* purchases.

Home›Browse Charges›Gaming›MINECRAFT*

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

✓ Legitimate

The "MINECRAFT*" charge is from Minecraft. Minecraft game or subscription purchase.

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

Minecraft

Minecraft game or subscription purchase.

MINECRAFT*

Understanding this descriptor

When you purchase Minecraft through Microsoft's digital storefront, the billing system appends an asterisk after the brand name as part of Microsoft's standard payment processing format, which is used across many of their digital products and services. The "MINECRAFT*" descriptor reflects how Microsoft, which acquired Minecraft's developer Mojang in 2014, processes game purchases through its payment infrastructure, where the asterisk acts as a separator that typically precedes additional transaction detail that may be truncated on your statement. If you recently paid $26.95 for a Minecraft Java or Bedrock Edition purchase, this descriptor confirms the charge is legitimate and tied directly to your Minecraft account transaction.

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Recommended actions

Identify the Minecraft charge

Log into your Minecraft account at minecraft.net and review your purchase history to confirm the MINECRAFT* charge on your bank statement matches a game purchase or active subscription you authorized.

Check for family or shared purchases

If you share your Microsoft or Minecraft account with family members, ask them whether they recently purchased a Minecraft edition, DLC, or Marketplace content that could explain the MINECRAFT* charge appearing on your statement.

Manage or cancel your Minecraft subscription

If you no longer want to be billed, visit minecraft.net/account to review your active Minecraft subscriptions and cancel any recurring charges to prevent future MINECRAFT* transactions from appearing on your bank statement.

Contact Minecraft support if needed

If the MINECRAFT* charge amount does not match any purchase you can find in your account history at minecraft.net, reach out to Minecraft support directly through their website to get clarification on the specific transaction before taking any further action.

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Is this charge fraudulent?

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

Is the MINECRAFT* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

A MINECRAFT* charge on your bank or credit card statement is almost always a legitimate transaction from Mojang Studios, the company behind Minecraft. This billing descriptor appears when you purchase the game, buy a Minecraft Marketplace item, or pay for a Realms subscription. Common reasons you might see MINECRAFT* include:

Purchasing Minecraft Java Edition or Bedrock Edition for PC, console, or mobile
An active Minecraft Realms or Realms Plus monthly subscription renewal
Marketplace content such as skin packs, texture packs, or DLC purchased in-game
A family member or child making a purchase through a linked Microsoft/Minecraft account

How to Verify the MINECRAFT* Charge

1
Log into your Microsoft account
Visit account.microsoft.com and check your order history. All MINECRAFT* purchases are tied to your Microsoft account and will appear there with dates and amounts.
2
Search your email for Minecraft receipts
Search your inbox for emails from 'minecraft' or 'microsoft' with subject lines like 'Your order' or 'Receipt'. Minecraft sends confirmation emails for every transaction.
3
Check household members and children
If you have Microsoft Family Safety set up, a child or family member may have made a Minecraft Marketplace purchase using your linked payment method without your immediate knowledge.
4
Review your Minecraft Realms subscription
Log into Minecraft and navigate to the Realms section, or check minecraft.net to see if you have an active Realms or Realms Plus subscription that is billing monthly.
5
Contact your bank for details
If you still cannot identify the MINECRAFT* charge, call the number on the back of your card. Your bank can provide the exact transaction date and merchant details to help you pinpoint the purchase.

How to Dispute a MINECRAFT* Charge

1
Act within 60 days
Most banks require you to dispute an unrecognized MINECRAFT* charge within 60 days of your statement date. Act quickly to preserve your right to a chargeback.
2
Contact Minecraft support first
Visit help.minecraft.net or microsoft.com/support to report the unauthorized MINECRAFT* charge. Mojang/Microsoft can often issue a refund faster than a bank dispute, especially for recent transactions.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Minecraft support cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer and formally dispute the MINECRAFT* charge. Provide any correspondence with Minecraft support as evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If you believe your card details were stolen and used for fraudulent MINECRAFT* charges, ask your bank to cancel the card and issue a new one to prevent further unauthorized transactions.

Tips for Managing Minecraft Charges

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Enable Microsoft account purchase notifications so you get an alert every time a MINECRAFT* charge is made.

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Check microsoft.com/account/billing monthly to review all MINECRAFT* and related Microsoft charges in one place.

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Set up a spending PIN or Microsoft Family Safety limits on your Minecraft account to prevent unauthorized purchases.

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Note your Minecraft Realms renewal date so recurring MINECRAFT* subscription charges never catch you off guard.

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Use a virtual card number for Minecraft purchases to easily cancel it if unauthorized MINECRAFT* charges appear.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify MINECRAFT* and other unfamiliar gaming charges on your statement.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, a MINECRAFT* charge is a completely normal transaction from Mojang Studios — likely a Realms subscription renewal or a Marketplace purchase you or a family member made. Taking a quick look at your Microsoft account order history is usually all it takes to confirm the charge and put your mind at ease.