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

When Petco processes transactions through their point-of-sale and online payment systems, the descriptor is truncated to "PETCO*" due to character limitations imposed by card networks like Visa and Mastercard, which typically cap merchant descriptors at 22 characters or fewer. The asterisk following the name is commonly added by Petco's payment processor to serve as a separator, often preceding a store number, location code, or transaction identifier that helps internal systems route and reconcile the charge. If you recently purchased pet food, accessories, grooming services, or veterinary products at a Petco location or through Petco.com, the "PETCO*" descriptor on your bank statement is almost certainly that transaction.

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

Frequently Asked Questions