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

The WSJ* charge is the billing descriptor used by Wall Street Journal when processing subscription payments. It appears truncated because card networks limit merchant name length on statements.

Why does the WSJ* charge look different from 'Wall Street Journal'?

Payment processors shorten merchant names to fit statement character limits, so 'Wall Street Journal' appears as 'WSJ*' followed by a transaction code or partial descriptor on your bank statement.

Can I get a refund on a WSJ* charge?

Wall Street Journal does offer refunds in certain situations, particularly for annual subscriptions canceled early. Contact their customer service at wsj.com/customer-center to request a refund for a WSJ* charge.

How do I cancel my Wall Street Journal subscription to stop WSJ* charges?

Log into your account at wsj.com, navigate to 'My Account' > 'Subscriptions,' and follow the cancellation steps. You can also call 1-800-JOURNAL to cancel and confirm no further WSJ* charges will occur.

How do I stop future WSJ* charges if I no longer want the subscription?

Cancel your Wall Street Journal subscription before the next renewal date via wsj.com or by phone, and confirm cancellation via email. You can also remove your card from your WSJ account to prevent future WSJ* charges.

Home›Browse Charges›News›WSJ*

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

✓ Legitimate

The "WSJ*" charge is from Wall Street Journal. Wall Street Journal digital subscription.

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

Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal digital subscription.

WSJ*

What is this charge?

The Wall Street Journal uses the abbreviated descriptor "WSJ*" on bank statements because Dow Jones & Company, the publisher behind the Journal, processes digital subscription billing under the WSJ brand identity rather than the full legal company name, which would exceed the character limits imposed by card payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. These networks typically cap merchant descriptors at 22-25 characters, making "Wall Street Journal" too long to display reliably across all financial institutions. The asterisk following "WSJ" is a standard formatting convention used by Dow Jones's billing system to separate the brand abbreviation from any additional transaction details, such as a subscription tier or renewal date.

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How to handle this charge

Confirm Your WSJ Subscription

Log in to your Wall Street Journal account at wsj.com to verify that you have an active digital subscription. Check your subscription details to confirm the billing amount matches the WSJ* charge on your bank statement.

Review Your WSJ Billing History

While logged in to wsj.com, navigate to your account settings and review your billing history to ensure the WSJ* charge aligns with your expected renewal date and subscription plan, whether monthly or annual.

Check for Shared or Forgotten Access

If the WSJ* charge seems unfamiliar, consider whether a family member may have signed up using your payment information, or whether you may have started a Wall Street Journal trial subscription that has since converted to a paid plan.

Cancel If No Longer Needed

If you no longer wish to pay for the Wall Street Journal digital subscription, visit wsj.com/account to manage or cancel your subscription before your next billing cycle to avoid future WSJ* charges on your bank statement.

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How to cancel Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal bills you Monthly. To stop future charges, cancel from your account directly.

Cancel at Wall Street Journal

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Quick fraud check

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

Is the WSJ* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

A WSJ* charge on your bank or credit card statement is almost always a legitimate billing from Wall Street Journal, one of the world's most widely read financial and news publications. The truncated prefix "WSJ*" is how Wall Street Journal's payment processor identifies the transaction on your statement. Common reasons you may see this charge include:

An active digital or print subscription to the Wall Street Journal
A promotional trial period that has converted to a paid WSJ* subscription
A student, corporate, or bundled news subscription linked to your card
An annual WSJ* renewal charge that you may have forgotten about

How to Verify the WSJ* Charge

1
Log into your Wall Street Journal account
Visit wsj.com and sign in to check your active subscriptions and billing history. Your account dashboard will show any recurring WSJ* charges tied to your payment method.
2
Search your email for WSJ receipts
Search your inbox for emails from 'noreply@wsj.com' or 'Wall Street Journal' to find subscription confirmations or renewal receipts that match the WSJ* charge date and amount.
3
Check with household members
Ask family members or roommates whether they signed up for a Wall Street Journal subscription using your shared card, as WSJ* offers family or shared access plans.
4
Review linked subscription services
Check if you subscribed to WSJ* through a bundle, employer benefit, or a third-party service like Apple One or a university portal that bills under the WSJ* descriptor.
5
Contact your bank for details
If you still cannot place the WSJ* charge, call the number on the back of your card. Your bank can provide the exact merchant details and transaction date to help confirm its origin.

How to Dispute a WSJ* Charge

1
Act within 60 days
Credit card dispute rights are strongest within 60 days of the WSJ* charge appearing on your statement. Gather your billing records and document the unauthorized or incorrect charge before contacting anyone.
2
Contact Wall Street Journal directly first
Reach Wall Street Journal customer service at 1-800-JOURNAL (1-800-568-7625) or via wsj.com/customer-center. Resolving the WSJ* charge directly with them is often faster than a bank dispute.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Wall Street Journal does not resolve the issue, contact your bank or card issuer and formally dispute the WSJ* charge. Provide any email receipts, cancellation confirmations, or communication with WSJ as evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If you believe the WSJ* charge is the result of fraud or unauthorized card use, ask your bank to issue a replacement card to prevent any further unauthorized charges from appearing.

Tips for Managing Wall Street Journal Charges

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Enable billing alerts for WSJ* charges so you're notified the moment your Wall Street Journal subscription renews.

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Save your Wall Street Journal confirmation emails so you can easily match them to future WSJ* charges on your statement.

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Log into your Wall Street Journal account at wsj.com regularly to review your subscription plan and update your payment details.

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Note your WSJ* billing cycle date — Wall Street Journal typically bills monthly or annually — so unexpected charges don't catch you off guard.

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Use a virtual card number for your WSJ* subscription to limit exposure if your payment info is ever compromised.

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

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, a WSJ* charge is simply your Wall Street Journal digital or print subscription renewing automatically — a routine transaction that's easy to confirm by logging into wsj.com. If the charge amount and date match your subscription plan, there's no need to worry.