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

Walgreens uses the truncated descriptor "WALGREENS*" on bank statements because their point-of-sale and payment processing systems follow a standardized merchant identifier format that includes an asterisk to separate the store brand from any additional location or transaction data that may follow. This format is commonly required by payment networks like Visa and Mastercard, which limit merchant descriptor fields to a set number of characters, prompting large pharmacy chains like Walgreens to adopt a shortened, symbol-appended version of their name. If you recently filled a prescription, picked up over-the-counter medication, or purchased health and wellness products at a Walgreens location, this descriptor is the expected confirmation of that transaction.

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

Frequently Asked Questions