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

The XBOX* charge is a billing descriptor used by Microsoft for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Game Pass Core plans.

Why does the charge say XBOX* instead of Xbox Game Pass?

Banks truncate merchant names to fit statement formats, so Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass billing appears as 'XBOX*' often followed by a shortened service name or transaction code.

Can I get a refund for an XBOX* charge from Xbox Game Pass?

Microsoft may issue a refund for an accidental Xbox Game Pass renewal if requested within 30 days and the subscription has not been heavily used — contact support.xbox.com to request one.

How do I cancel Xbox Game Pass to stop XBOX* charges?

Sign in at account.microsoft.com, go to 'Services & Subscriptions,' find Xbox Game Pass, and select 'Cancel.' Your access continues until the end of the paid billing period.

How do I stop future XBOX* charges from appearing?

Cancel your Xbox Game Pass subscription before the next renewal date and remove your payment method from your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com to prevent any future XBOX* billing.

Home›Browse Charges›Gaming›XBOX*

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

✓ Legitimate

The "XBOX*" charge is from Xbox Game Pass. Xbox Game Pass subscription.

🌍 US🕐 8 min read📅 Updated May 22, 2026

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass subscription.

XBOX*

Understanding this descriptor

When Microsoft processes Xbox Game Pass subscription payments, they use a truncated billing descriptor format that begins with "XBOX*" followed by additional details, which reflects how Microsoft's payment system identifies its Xbox-branded services at the point of transaction. The asterisk in "XBOX*" is a standard separator used by payment processors to distinguish a parent brand identifier from a specific product or service suffix, and since Xbox Game Pass is billed under Microsoft's Xbox division rather than under the full product name, the shortened form is what gets passed through to your bank. If you're seeing a recurring $14.99 charge with this descriptor, it is almost certainly your monthly Xbox Game Pass subscription.

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Confirm Your Xbox Game Pass Plan

Log in to your Microsoft account at xbox.com and navigate to your subscriptions to verify which Xbox Game Pass tier you are currently enrolled in, such as Game Pass Core, Game Pass Standard, or Game Pass Ultimate, and confirm the billing amount matches the XBOX* charge on your bank statement.

Review Your Xbox Game Pass Billing History

Visit xbox.com/billing to view your full Xbox Game Pass payment history. Check the exact charge date and amount to ensure the XBOX* transaction on your bank statement aligns with your expected renewal date and subscription cost.

Check for Shared or Forgotten Subscriptions

If the XBOX* charge seems unexpected, check whether a family member is using Xbox Game Pass on a shared Microsoft account, or whether you signed up for a free trial that has since converted into a paid Xbox Game Pass subscription without a reminder.

Cancel or Modify Xbox Game Pass If Needed

If you no longer want the subscription, go directly to xbox.com/billing to cancel your Xbox Game Pass plan before the next billing cycle. Microsoft will typically allow you to continue using the service until the end of the period you have already paid for.

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How to cancel Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass bills you Monthly. To stop future charges, cancel from your account directly.

Cancel at Xbox Game Pass

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Is this charge fraudulent?

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

Is the XBOX* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

An XBOX* charge on your bank or credit card statement is almost always a legitimate billing from Microsoft for an Xbox Game Pass subscription or related Xbox service. Microsoft uses the abbreviated merchant descriptor 'XBOX*' followed by additional characters (such as XBOX*GAME PASS or XBOX*ULTIMATE) depending on your bank's display format. If you or someone in your household subscribes to Xbox Game Pass Core, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, or PC Game Pass, this charge is expected and recurring.

Xbox Game Pass subscriptions bill automatically each month or year under the XBOX* descriptor
Microsoft may charge separately for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate upgrades or add-ons
Family members or children with linked Microsoft accounts may trigger an XBOX* charge on the primary payment method
Free trials that were not cancelled before expiration will result in an XBOX* charge at the standard subscription rate

How to Verify the XBOX* Charge

1
Log into your Microsoft account
Visit account.microsoft.com and navigate to 'Services & Subscriptions' to see all active Xbox Game Pass plans tied to your account and their billing dates.
2
Search your email for Xbox receipts
Search your inbox for emails from microsoft.com or xbox.com containing 'Xbox Game Pass' or 'XBOX*' — Microsoft sends a receipt every time a charge is processed.
3
Check household or family members
Ask family members if they set up an Xbox Game Pass subscription using your payment method, especially if you share a Microsoft Family account.
4
Review your active Xbox subscriptions
On your Xbox console or the Xbox app, go to Settings > Account > Subscriptions to see exactly which Xbox Game Pass tier is active and when it renews.
5
Contact your bank for transaction details
Call the number on the back of your card and ask for the full merchant name and transaction ID associated with the XBOX* charge to help pinpoint its origin.

How to Dispute a XBOX* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks require you to dispute an unauthorized XBOX* charge within 60 days of your statement date, so act quickly if you believe the charge is fraudulent.
2
Contact Xbox Game Pass support first
Reach out to Microsoft Support at support.xbox.com — they can investigate the XBOX* charge, issue a refund for accidental renewals, and cancel the subscription on the spot.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Microsoft does not resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer to formally dispute the XBOX* charge as unauthorized and provide any supporting documentation.
4
Request a new card number
If the XBOX* charge appears to be fraudulent and not linked to any known Xbox Game Pass account, ask your bank to issue a new card to prevent future unauthorized charges.

Tips for Managing Xbox Game Pass Charges

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Set a calendar reminder before your Xbox Game Pass renewal date so the XBOX* charge never surprises you.

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Save Microsoft's email receipts for each XBOX* charge so you have a clear billing history ready if disputes arise.

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Secure your Microsoft account with two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized Xbox Game Pass purchases.

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Check whether you're on a monthly or annual Xbox Game Pass plan — annual billing means one larger XBOX* charge per year.

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Enable purchase notifications on your bank account to get instant alerts whenever an XBOX* charge posts.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify related charges like XBOX*ULTIMATE or XBOX*LIVE that may also appear on your statement.

How to Dispute an XBOX* Charge

1
Act within 60 days of the charge
Most banks and credit card companies require you to report unauthorized charges within 60 days of the statement date. Don't delay if you believe the XBOX* charge is fraudulent or incorrect.
2
Contact Xbox Support first
Reach out to Xbox Support at support.xbox.com or call 1-800-469-9269. Microsoft may be able to refund the XBOX* charge directly, especially for accidental purchases or unauthorized transactions, which is faster than a bank dispute.
3
File a chargeback with your bank
If Xbox Support cannot resolve the issue, contact your bank or credit card issuer to file a chargeback for the XBOX* charge. Provide your order history and any communication with Xbox as supporting evidence.
4
Request a new card number
If you believe your payment information was stolen and used to create an Xbox account without your knowledge, ask your bank to issue a new card number to prevent future unauthorized XBOX* charges.