What exactly is the WASHINGTON POST* charge on my statement?

The WASHINGTON POST* charge is a billing descriptor used by The Washington Post when processing subscription payments. It appears for digital news plans, print add-ons, or annual renewals tied to your Washington Post account.

Why does WASHINGTON POST* look different from 'The Washington Post'?

Payment processors often truncate or abbreviate merchant names and add an asterisk. WASHINGTON POST* is simply how The Washington Post's billing appears through their payment gateway.

Can I get a refund for a WASHINGTON POST* charge?

Washington Post typically offers refunds for accidental renewals or charges made shortly after cancellation. Contact their support team at 1-800-477-4679 or via the Help Center on washingtonpost.com.

How do I cancel my Washington Post subscription to stop future charges?

Log into washingtonpost.com, go to 'Account' > 'Manage Subscription,' and select 'Cancel Subscription.' You can also call 1-800-477-4679 to cancel with a representative directly.

How do I stop recurring WASHINGTON POST* charges if I already cancelled?

Confirm your cancellation via email from Washington Post. If charges continue after cancellation, contact Washington Post support immediately and dispute the charge with your bank as unauthorized.

Home›Browse Charges›News›WASHINGTON POST*

WASHINGTON POST* Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

✓ Legitimate

The "WASHINGTON POST*" charge is from Washington Post. Washington Post digital subscription.

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

Washington Post

Washington Post digital subscription.

WASHINGTON POST*

Understanding this descriptor

When Washington Post processes subscription payments, the billing system appends an asterisk followed by the company name to help payment processors and banks categorize and route the transaction correctly, resulting in the truncated "WASHINGTON POST*" descriptor rather than the full masthead name. The asterisk is a standard formatting convention used by major payment processors like Stripe and Braintree to separate the merchant identifier from additional transaction metadata, and Washington Post's digital subscription billing platform follows this convention. If you signed up for a Washington Post digital subscription at $10.00 per month, this is the recurring charge you can expect to see on your statement each billing cycle.

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Recommended actions

Confirm Your Washington Post Subscription

Log in to your Washington Post account at washingtonpost.com to verify that you have an active digital subscription. Check your subscription details to confirm the billing amount matches the WASHINGTON POST* charge on your bank statement.

Review Your Washington Post Billing History

While logged in at washingtonpost.com, navigate to your account billing section to review past charges. Make sure the WASHINGTON POST* charge aligns with your subscription plan, whether it is a monthly or annual digital news subscription.

Manage or Cancel Your Subscription

If you no longer wish to be charged by Washington Post, visit washingtonpost.com/account to manage your subscription settings. From there you can downgrade, pause, or fully cancel your Washington Post digital subscription to prevent future WASHINGTON POST* charges.

Contact Washington Post Support If Needed

If the WASHINGTON POST* charge amount looks incorrect or you do not recall signing up, reach out to Washington Post customer support directly through washingtonpost.com. Their support team can clarify exactly what the charge covers and help resolve any billing discrepancies tied to your account.

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How to cancel Washington Post

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

Cancel at Washington Post

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Is this charge fraudulent?

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

Is the WASHINGTON POST* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

A WASHINGTON POST* charge on your bank or credit card statement is almost always a legitimate billing from The Washington Post for a digital or print news subscription. The asterisk following the name is a standard payment processor formatting convention and does not indicate anything suspicious. Here are the most common reasons you might see this charge:

You subscribed to a Washington Post digital plan (Basic, Premium, or All Access)
Your Washington Post free trial period ended and auto-renewal kicked in
A family member or household resident signed up using your payment method
You purchased a Washington Post gift subscription that is now renewing

How to Verify the WASHINGTON POST* Charge

1
Log into your Washington Post account
Visit washingtonpost.com and sign in. Navigate to 'Manage Subscription' under your account settings to confirm active plans and your billing date.
2
Search your email for Washington Post receipts
Search your inbox for 'Washington Post' or 'subscription confirmation.' Washington Post sends email receipts when a charge is processed or a trial ends.
3
Check with household members
Ask family members or roommates if they signed up for a Washington Post subscription using your shared payment method without telling you.
4
Review your subscription management tools
Check services like Rocket Money or your bank's subscription tracker to see if a recurring WASHINGTON POST* charge has been appearing on a monthly or annual cycle.
5
Contact your bank for transaction details
Call the number on the back of your card and ask for the full merchant details behind the WASHINGTON POST* charge, including the date and exact amount billed.

How to Dispute a WASHINGTON POST* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks require disputes to be filed within 60 days of the statement date. Don't delay if you believe the WASHINGTON POST* charge is unauthorized or incorrect.
2
Contact Washington Post customer service first
Reach out to Washington Post support at washingtonpost.com/help or call 1-800-477-4679. They can often issue a refund faster than a formal bank dispute.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Washington Post cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the WASHINGTON POST* charge as unauthorized or billing in error.
4
Request a new card if fraud is suspected
If you never had a Washington Post subscription and see a WASHINGTON POST* charge, request a replacement card to prevent any further unauthorized transactions.

Tips for Managing Washington Post Charges

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Set a billing alert so you're notified the moment a WASHINGTON POST* charge posts to your account.

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Save your Washington Post subscription confirmation email so you can easily match it to future WASHINGTON POST* charges.

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Log into your Washington Post account regularly to review your active plan, renewal date, and stored payment method.

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Note whether your Washington Post plan bills monthly or annually to avoid surprise WASHINGTON POST* charges at renewal.

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Use a virtual card number for your Washington Post subscription to limit exposure if your card details are ever compromised.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify related charges that may appear alongside WASHINGTON POST* on your statement.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, a WASHINGTON POST* charge is simply The Washington Post billing you for an active digital news subscription — often a trial that converted to a paid plan. A quick check of your Washington Post account at washingtonpost.com will confirm the charge and give you full control over your subscription.