What is the VPN Charge on Credit Card?

Understanding the nuances of your credit card is very crucial to properly manage your finances in this digital world. If you don’t keep track of it, it is easy to confuse payments, and charges made on your Credit Card

Last week while I was going through my credit card statement, I saw a VPN charge on it, but I had no idea what it meant, or how I might have incurred it. Since the charge was unrecognizable, I was also worried that it might be a scam and that all my credit card information was in the wrong hands. 

When I searched about the issue, I found out there are frequent cases where other users have also found the same charge on their credit card statements but have no idea where and how it came from. 

In today’s article, I have explained what the VPN charge means on a credit card, why you are seeing it on your statement, and what you can do in case the charge is unauthorized. 

What is a VPN Charge?

VPN aka Virtual Private Network is a mechanism through which users can mask their real identity on the internet. Once enabled, it connects your device to a remote server, creating a tunnel that encrypts your data, masks your actual IP address by replacing it with a fake one, and helps you to sidestep website blocks and firewalls on the internet.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are some of the most popular VPN provider apps in the market, and in return for their services, they charge you annual or monthly fees. 

So, you will see a corresponding charge on your next statement if you have subscribed to a VPN app and bought its monthly/annual subscription using your credit card. 

Also, read What is Post Pigeon Charge on Credit Card?

Here are some popular VPN apps and the fees they charge for their services:

• Surfshark: Offers a free trial and costs $2.29 per month for 26 months
• ExpressVPN: Offers a free trial and costs $6.67 per month for 15 months
• NordVPN: Offers a free trial and costs from $3.99 per month
• Private Internet Access (PIA VPN): Costs $2.03 per month for 28 months
• IPVanish: Costs $3.25 per month for 24 months.

Why Do I See The VPN Charge on My Credit Card Bill?

VPN apps charge you monthly/annual subscription fees for procuring their services, hence, there is a very slight chance that the charge you see on your statement is a scam. 

If you don’t recognize the charge, it is best to retrace your steps and check if you bought a subscription in your last billing period. 

If you have a VPN app on any of your devices, log in to that account, go to the billing history option, and click the Receipt button in the Download column. You will find a summary of your last purchase. 

If there is any other authorized user of your credit card other than you, check with them if they have used your card to carry out the purchase. 

You can also search for the charge on the internet, many times Companies use an abbreviated term to describe credit card charges. Google the charge you unrecognize on your bill, and see if you know the company, this might help you recall any transaction you made with them. 

If you want to use a VPN, there are several options on the internet. Search and learn more about VPNs and their uses.

Also, read What NBA Secaucus Charge on Credit Card Means | Know the Answer!

What to do if the Charge is Unauthorized?

If you have retraced your steps, and still don’t recognize the purchase, you might be a victim of credit card purchases. 

Contact your bank or Credit Card issuer to report the issue immediately. Banks and credit card issuers have special departments that handle such cases.  

To contact the bank, dial the customer care number on the back of your credit card. Once you provide the transaction details such as your name, the company’s name, the amount charged on your credit card, etc, they will immediately start the dispute process. 

In the meantime, I suggest you ask your bank or credit card issuer to freeze your credit card so no further transactions can be made. 

Also, inform the issue to VPN app, they might suggest some steps that can be helpful. 

Also, read What is Meta PPGF Charge on Credit Card | All You Need to Know

Conclusion 

With that, we have reached the end of the article. Many VPN apps charge you monthly/ annual fees for their services, so, if you see a charge on their name, the likely reason can be the purchase you made. 

If the charge seems suspicious, and you don’t use any VPN services, you must contact your bank as soon as possible, and they can begin the dispute process. 

To protect yourself from credit card fraud, you must keep a regular check on your credit card statement, set up alerts, and most importantly, never share your personal credit card information with strangers on the internet or the phone.