What Does CHG Mean on a Bank Statement?
CHG stands for charge — a fee taken by your bank, not a payment to a shop. It covers things like overdraft interest, a monthly account fee, or a charge for using your card abroad.
At a glance
- Stands for
- Charge
- Who took it
- Your bank
- Common causes
- Overdraft, account fee, overseas use
- Notice
- Fees are usually notified first
What's usually behind it
- Overdraft interest or fees if you've gone into an arranged or unarranged overdraft.
- A packaged account fee — the monthly cost of an account bundled with insurance or perks.
- Overseas transaction or cash withdrawal fees from using your card abroad.
- A returned payment fee if a Direct Debit or standing order bounced.
Checking and challenging it
Your bank must set out its fees in the account terms, and normally notifies you before charges are taken. If a charge looks wrong, ask your bank to explain it — and if you're unhappy with the answer, you can complain and escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge.
If overdraft charges are recurring, it's worth reviewing whether the account still suits you.
What if you don't recognise it?
Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. Work through this order:
- Check who else uses the card — a partner, or a child on a family account, is the most common explanation.
- Look for a matching subscription or order in the relevant app or account.
- Search the exact descriptor as it appears, including any * or reference number.
- Still unexplained? Contact your bank straight away. Report it as an unrecognised transaction — under UK rules you're generally protected against unauthorised payments, and your bank can freeze the card and investigate.
Never phone a number that appears in the transaction itself, and never share a one-time passcode with anyone who calls you — including someone claiming to be your bank.
Frequently asked questions
Why has my bank charged me?
Most often overdraft use, a monthly packaged-account fee, using your card abroad, or a payment that bounced. Your account terms list the fees that apply.
Can I get bank charges refunded?
Sometimes. If a charge was applied in error, or you were in financial difficulty, ask your bank — many will refund as a gesture. You can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if they refuse unfairly.
Still stuck? Start with our guide to what that charge on your bank statement is.
More statement entries explained: TFL TRAVEL CH · APPLE.COM/BILL · GOOGLE *TEMPORARY HOLD · AMZNMktplace / AMZ* · PAYPAL / PP* · Klarna · SQ * (Square) · FPI / FPO · CR / DR
General information only. If you don't recognise a payment, contact your bank — they can investigate and, where a payment was unauthorised, refund it.
