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

The PLAYSTATION* charge is Sony's billing descriptor for PlayStation Plus subscription payments. It appears when your PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, or Premium plan renews or is first purchased.

Why does the charge say PLAYSTATION* instead of PlayStation Plus?

Banks truncate merchant names, so Sony's PlayStation Plus billing appears as 'PLAYSTATION*' followed by a short code or number. This is a standard display format and does not indicate fraud.

Can I get a refund for a PLAYSTATION* charge from PlayStation Plus?

Sony may issue a refund for a PlayStation Plus renewal if you request it within 14 days and have not used the subscription benefits. Contact PlayStation Support at playstation.com/support to request one.

How do I cancel PlayStation Plus to stop recurring PLAYSTATION* charges?

Log into your account at playstation.com, go to Subscription Management, select your PlayStation Plus plan, and choose 'Cancel Subscription.' Your access continues until the current billing period ends.

How do I stop future PLAYSTATION* charges if I no longer want PlayStation Plus?

Turn off auto-renewal in your PlayStation account under Subscription Management before your next billing date. This prevents future PLAYSTATION* charges without losing your remaining subscription days.

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

✓ Legitimate

The "PLAYSTATION*" charge is from PlayStation Plus. PlayStation Plus subscription.

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

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus subscription.

PLAYSTATION*

Understanding this descriptor

Sony Interactive Entertainment, the company behind PlayStation Plus, uses a truncated billing descriptor format that begins with "PLAYSTATION*" followed by additional characters because payment processors like Visa and Mastercard enforce strict character limits on merchant descriptors, typically capping them at around 20-25 characters. Rather than spelling out the full subscription name, Sony's billing system uses "PLAYSTATION*" as a recognizable prefix, with the asterisk serving as a separator commonly used by large companies to distinguish their various products and services under one merchant identity. If you see "PLAYSTATION*" on your bank statement alongside a charge of around $9.99, it almost certainly corresponds to your monthly PlayStation Plus subscription billed through Sony's payment processing system.

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Recommended actions

Confirm Your PlayStation Plus Plan

Log into your account at playstation.com and navigate to your subscription settings to confirm which PlayStation Plus tier you are enrolled in, such as Essential, Extra, or Premium, and verify that the billing amount on your bank statement matches your selected plan.

Check Your PlayStation Plus Renewal Date

Inside your PlayStation account at playstation.com, review your PlayStation Plus renewal date to determine whether the PLAYSTATION* charge aligns with your expected billing cycle, whether monthly or annual, so you can rule out any unexpected early or duplicate charges.

Review Who Has Access to Your PlayStation Account

Visit playstation.com and check for any sub-accounts or family members linked to your PlayStation Plus membership, as charges labeled PLAYSTATION* can sometimes reflect a family plan upgrade or a purchase made by a linked account you may have forgotten about.

Cancel or Adjust Your PlayStation Plus Subscription if Needed

If you no longer want the PlayStation Plus subscription generating the PLAYSTATION* charge, go directly to playstation.com/account to manage or cancel your plan before the next renewal date, ensuring you avoid being billed again in the following cycle.

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How to cancel PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus bills you Monthly. To stop future charges, cancel from your account directly.

Cancel at PlayStation Plus

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Is this charge fraudulent?

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

Is the PLAYSTATION* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

A PLAYSTATION* charge on your bank or credit card statement is most commonly a legitimate billing from PlayStation Plus, Sony's gaming subscription service. This charge appears when your PlayStation Plus membership renews automatically or when you purchase a new subscription tier (Essential, Extra, or Premium). Common reasons you may see this charge include:

An automatic monthly, quarterly, or annual PlayStation Plus subscription renewal
A new PlayStation Plus membership purchased on your PS4, PS5, or via the PlayStation website
A family member or household user linked to your payment method who activated or renewed PlayStation Plus
A free trial conversion to a paid PlayStation Plus plan

How to Verify the PLAYSTATION* Charge

1
Log into your PlayStation account
Visit account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com and check your subscription status under 'Subscription Management' to confirm an active PlayStation Plus plan tied to your payment method.
2
Search your email for PlayStation receipts
Look for emails from 'no-reply@email.playstation.com' or 'PlayStation Store' that match the date and amount of the PLAYSTATION* charge on your statement.
3
Check household members and linked accounts
Ask family members or roommates if they used your payment method to sign up for or renew a PlayStation Plus subscription, especially if you share a console.
4
Review your PlayStation Store purchase history
On your PS4 or PS5, go to Settings > Account Management > Account Information > Wallet > Transaction History to see a full record of PlayStation Plus charges.
5
Contact your bank for transaction details
If you still cannot confirm the PLAYSTATION* charge, ask your bank for the full merchant name and transaction ID, which can help pinpoint the exact Sony service billed.

How to Dispute a PLAYSTATION* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks require disputes to be filed within 60 days of the PLAYSTATION* charge appearing on your statement. Acting quickly improves your chances of a successful resolution.
2
Contact PlayStation Plus support first
Reach out to Sony PlayStation Support at playstation.com/support before filing a chargeback. PlayStation Plus offers refunds for accidental renewals in some cases, which is faster than a bank dispute.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If PlayStation Plus support cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer and cite the PLAYSTATION* charge as unauthorized. Provide your email receipts or lack thereof as evidence.
4
Request a new card if fraud is suspected
If you believe someone fraudulently used your payment method to purchase PlayStation Plus, ask your bank to cancel the card and issue a new one to prevent further unauthorized PLAYSTATION* charges.

Tips for Managing PlayStation Plus Charges

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Enable email notifications in your PlayStation account so you're alerted before every PLAYSTATION* renewal charge hits your card.

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Save PlayStation Plus purchase confirmation emails to easily match them against PLAYSTATION* charges on your bank statement.

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Secure your PlayStation Plus account with two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized purchases that show as PLAYSTATION* charges.

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Note your PlayStation Plus renewal date and tier (monthly/annual) so PLAYSTATION* charges on your statement are never a surprise.

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Use a dedicated card for PlayStation Plus to isolate PLAYSTATION* charges and spot any unexpected billing amounts quickly.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify any related or unfamiliar charges that appear alongside PLAYSTATION* on your statement.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, a PLAYSTATION* charge is simply your PlayStation Plus subscription renewing automatically — it's one of the most recognized gaming charges worldwide. If the amount and timing match your plan, there's no cause for concern.