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

The SHUTTERSTOCK* charge is the billing descriptor used by Shutterstock when they bill you for a subscription plan, image pack, or individual asset purchase on their platform.

Why does the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge look different from 'Shutterstock' on my statement?

Banks and card networks truncate merchant names, so Shutterstock appears as 'SHUTTERSTOCK*' followed by a code or amount. This is normal and confirms the charge originated from Shutterstock's payment processor.

Can I get a refund for a SHUTTERSTOCK* charge?

Shutterstock offers refunds within 30 days for annual subscription renewals if you haven't downloaded any assets. Contact Shutterstock support at shutterstock.com/support to request a refund review.

How do I cancel my Shutterstock subscription to stop future charges?

Log into shutterstock.com, navigate to 'Plan & Billing,' click 'Cancel Plan,' and follow the prompts. Cancel at least 24 hours before your renewal date to avoid the next SHUTTERSTOCK* charge.

How do I stop future SHUTTERSTOCK* charges if I never signed up?

If you never created a Shutterstock account, contact Shutterstock support to investigate, then dispute the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge with your bank and request a new card number to prevent recurrence.

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

✓ Legitimate

The "SHUTTERSTOCK*" charge is from Shutterstock. Shutterstock stock photos subscription.

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

Shutterstock

Shutterstock stock photos subscription.

SHUTTERSTOCK*

Why does this charge appear?

Shutterstock uses the truncated descriptor "SHUTTERSTOCK*" on bank statements because payment card networks like Visa and Mastercard limit merchant descriptors to a set number of characters, and the asterisk is a standard separator used to distinguish the merchant name from any additional billing detail such as a plan type or subscription identifier. When you sign up for a Shutterstock stock photo subscription, the charge is processed through their billing system in a way that appends this asterisk to signal a recurring or subscription-based transaction rather than a one-time purchase. If you see "SHUTTERSTOCK*" appearing monthly for around $29.00, it is almost certainly your active Shutterstock image subscription being billed on its regular cycle.

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Your next steps

Confirm your Shutterstock subscription

Log in to your account at shutterstock.com and navigate to your account settings to verify that you have an active subscription plan. The SHUTTERSTOCK* charge on your bank statement is consistent with a recurring billing for their stock photos subscription service.

Review your Shutterstock billing history

Inside your Shutterstock account at shutterstock.com, check your billing or payment history to confirm the charge amount matches what was billed. This helps you verify the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge is not a duplicate or an unexpected price change.

Check if anyone else in your household uses Shutterstock

If the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge caught you off guard, consider whether a family member or colleague may have signed up using your payment details. Reach out to Shutterstock support at shutterstock.com if you need help identifying which account is tied to the charge.

Cancel your Shutterstock subscription if no longer needed

If you no longer use Shutterstock and want to stop future SHUTTERSTOCK* charges, visit shutterstock.com/account to manage or cancel your subscription before your next billing date to avoid being charged again.

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How to cancel Shutterstock

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

Cancel at Shutterstock

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Legitimate or scam?

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

Is the SHUTTERSTOCK* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

If you see SHUTTERSTOCK* on your bank or credit card statement, it is most likely a legitimate charge from Shutterstock, one of the world's leading stock photo, video, and music licensing platforms. Shutterstock uses this billing descriptor for subscription plans and on-demand image purchases. Common reasons you may see this charge include:

An active Shutterstock monthly or annual subscription plan auto-renewing
A one-time purchase of stock images, video clips, or music tracks on Shutterstock.com
A free trial that converted to a paid Shutterstock subscription
A team member or colleague using a shared Shutterstock account linked to your payment method

How to Verify the SHUTTERSTOCK* Charge

1
Log into your Shutterstock account
Visit shutterstock.com and sign in, then go to 'Billing & Payments' under your account settings to review your invoice history and confirm the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge amount matches.
2
Search your email for Shutterstock receipts
Search your inbox for emails from 'noreply@shutterstock.com' or 'billing@shutterstock.com' — Shutterstock sends a receipt for every subscription renewal or image purchase.
3
Check if a household member signed up
Ask family members or colleagues if they created a Shutterstock account or downloaded images using your shared payment method, as the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge may belong to them.
4
Review any active Shutterstock subscriptions
Check shutterstock.com under 'Plan & Billing' to see if you have an active subscription tier — monthly plans, annual plans, and image packs all generate recurring SHUTTERSTOCK* charges.
5
Contact your bank for charge details
If you still can't place the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge, call the number on the back of your card and ask for the full merchant details and transaction date to cross-reference with your Shutterstock usage.

How to Dispute a SHUTTERSTOCK* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks require disputes to be filed within 60 days of the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge appearing on your statement, so don't delay if you believe the charge is unauthorized or incorrect.
2
Contact Shutterstock support first
Reach out to Shutterstock directly at shutterstock.com/support or via live chat — they can verify the charge, issue refunds for accidental renewals, and cancel your subscription before you escalate to your bank.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Shutterstock cannot resolve the issue, call your bank or card issuer to dispute the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge as unauthorized. Provide your email receipts or lack thereof as supporting evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge appears to be fraudulent and you never had a Shutterstock account, ask your bank to issue a replacement card to prevent any further unauthorized charges.

Tips for Managing Shutterstock Charges

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Enable billing email alerts in Shutterstock settings so you're notified before each SHUTTERSTOCK* renewal charge hits your card.

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Download your Shutterstock invoices monthly and store them — this makes it easy to match any SHUTTERSTOCK* charge on your statement.

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Secure your Shutterstock account with a strong password and two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized purchases under your account.

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Note your Shutterstock billing cycle renewal date so you can anticipate the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge and aren't caught off guard.

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Use a virtual card number for Shutterstock subscriptions to limit exposure if your payment info is ever compromised.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify related charges or variations of the SHUTTERSTOCK* descriptor on your statement.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, the SHUTTERSTOCK* charge is a legitimate billing from Shutterstock for a subscription or image download you — or someone with access to your payment method — authorized. A quick check of your Shutterstock account billing history can usually confirm the charge within minutes.