What product does the MSFT* charge usually correspond to?

The MSFT* charge most commonly corresponds to a Microsoft 365 subscription, Xbox Game Pass, OneDrive storage, or a Microsoft Store purchase. Check your order history at account.microsoft.com to find the exact product.

Why does the charge say MSFT* instead of Microsoft?

Banks and card networks limit merchant name length, so Microsoft uses the abbreviated prefix 'MSFT*' followed by a product name (e.g., MSFT*OFFICE or MSFT*XBOX) to identify the charge on your statement.

Can I get a refund for an MSFT* charge?

Yes. Microsoft offers refunds for eligible digital purchases within 14–30 days depending on the product. Visit support.microsoft.com and select 'Billing' to request a refund for your specific MSFT* charge.

How do I cancel my Microsoft subscription to stop MSFT* charges?

Log in at account.microsoft.com, go to 'Services & subscriptions,' find the relevant service, and click 'Cancel.' Microsoft will stop future MSFT* charges at the end of your current billing period.

How do I stop future MSFT* charges if I no longer use Microsoft products?

Cancel all active subscriptions at account.microsoft.com and remove your payment method under 'Payment & billing.' This ensures Microsoft has no card on file to generate future MSFT* charges.

Home›Browse Charges›Tech›MSFT*

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

✓ Legitimate

The "MSFT*" charge is from Microsoft. Microsoft service or subscription charge.

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

Microsoft

Microsoft service or subscription charge.

MSFT*

Why this shows on your statement

Microsoft uses the abbreviated descriptor "MSFT\*" on bank statements because their billing systems are designed to consolidate charges from across their wide range of products and services — including Xbox, Microsoft 365, Azure, and OneDrive — under a single recognizable shorthand. The asterisk following "MSFT" is a standard payment processing convention that separates the company identifier from additional details your bank may display, such as the specific product or subscription tied to the charge. Microsoft's internal billing infrastructure, which handles millions of transactions globally, relies on this abbreviated format partly due to character limits imposed by card networks like Visa and Mastercard on merchant descriptor fields.

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What should you do?

Check Your Microsoft Account

Sign in to your Microsoft account at microsoft.com and navigate to the Services & Subscriptions section to see a full list of active subscriptions tied to your account, such as Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, or OneDrive storage plans.

Match the Charge Amount

Compare the MSFT* charge amount on your bank statement with the billing details shown in your Microsoft account dashboard. Different Microsoft services have different price points, so matching the exact dollar amount will help you identify which specific product or subscription triggered the charge.

Review or Cancel the Subscription

If you recognize the charge but no longer want the service, visit account.microsoft.com and go to Services & Subscriptions to turn off auto-renewal or cancel the specific Microsoft subscription so you are not billed again in the future.

Check for Family or Shared Accounts

If you are part of a Microsoft Family group, the MSFT* charge may be related to a purchase or subscription made by another family member under your shared billing account. Review the purchase history in your Microsoft account to see all transactions across linked profiles.

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Should you be worried?

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

Is the MSFT* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

An MSFT* charge on your bank or credit card statement is almost always a legitimate billing from Microsoft. Microsoft uses the "MSFT*" prefix for a wide range of its products and services, so it can appear unexpectedly if you've signed up for a trial or have an active subscription. Common reasons you might see this charge include:

An active Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) subscription renewal
A Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold membership billing cycle
A purchase from the Microsoft Store for apps, games, or software
A OneDrive cloud storage plan or Azure service subscription

How to Verify the MSFT* Charge

1
Log into your Microsoft account
Visit account.microsoft.com and sign in. Navigate to 'Payment & billing' then 'Order history' to find a transaction matching the MSFT* charge amount and date.
2
Search your email for Microsoft receipts
Search your inbox for emails from 'microsoft.com' or subject lines like 'Your Microsoft order.' Microsoft sends a receipt email for every MSFT* charge processed.
3
Check household or family members
If you share a Microsoft Family subscription or an Xbox account, another family member may have made a purchase that triggered the MSFT* charge on your card.
4
Review active Microsoft subscriptions
At account.microsoft.com under 'Services & subscriptions,' you can see every active Microsoft product tied to your account, including Microsoft 365, Game Pass, and OneDrive plans.
5
Contact your bank for details
If you still can't match the MSFT* charge, call the number on the back of your card. Your bank can provide the full merchant descriptor, transaction date, and the last four digits used.

How to Dispute a MSFT* Charge

1
Act within 60 days
Most banks require you to dispute an unrecognized MSFT* charge within 60 days of the statement date. Acting quickly improves your chances of a full refund and protects your rights under federal law.
2
Contact Microsoft support first
Visit support.microsoft.com and use the virtual agent or chat to explain the unauthorized MSFT* charge. Microsoft can often issue a refund directly, which is faster than a bank chargeback.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Microsoft does not resolve the issue, call your bank or credit card issuer and formally dispute the MSFT* charge. Provide your order history screenshots and any email correspondence as evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If the MSFT* charge is confirmed fraudulent, ask your bank to issue a replacement card. This prevents Microsoft or any fraudulent actor from making further charges to the compromised card number.

Tips for Managing Microsoft Charges

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Enable billing alerts in your Microsoft account so you get an email before any MSFT* renewal charge hits your card.

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Keep a list of all active Microsoft subscriptions — 365, Game Pass, OneDrive — so no MSFT* charge surprises you.

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Secure your Microsoft account with two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized purchases that show up as MSFT* charges.

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Note your Microsoft subscription renewal dates in your calendar to anticipate MSFT* charges and avoid accidental overdrafts.

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Use a virtual card number for Microsoft purchases so you can freeze it instantly if an unexpected MSFT* charge appears.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify MSFT* and other related Microsoft charges on your statement.

ℹ️ Note

Most MSFT* charges are routine, legitimate billings from Microsoft for services like Microsoft 365 or Xbox Game Pass — a quick check of your Microsoft account order history will almost always explain the charge within minutes.