Unknown Microsoft 365 Charge on Your Card?
Independent guide — not Microsoft.
Confused by an unexpected charge on your bank statement? This independent guide explains the most common Microsoft 365 billing names, how to check your order history, how to stop auto-renewal, how to request a refund, and when to contact your bank.
Step 1 — Check your order history
The first thing to do is confirm whether the charge is genuinely from Microsoft. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/billing/orders and look through your recent orders. Microsoft 365 Personal costs around $69.99/year or $6.99/month; Microsoft 365 Family costs around $99.99/year. If you see a matching amount on a date close to the charge on your statement, it is almost certainly a Microsoft 365 auto-renewal.
Common billing names for Microsoft 365 charges
Microsoft uses several names and payment processors that may appear on your bank statement instead of 'Microsoft'. You may see: 'MSFT*', 'Microsoft*', 'Global Collect B.V.', 'Cleverbridge', or 'Digital River'. If the charge amount matches your Microsoft 365 plan price and the date matches your renewal date, it is almost certainly a legitimate Microsoft charge — not fraud.
How to stop auto-renewal
If you do not want to be charged again, turn off recurring billing now. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/services, click 'Manage' next to your Microsoft 365 plan, and select 'Turn off recurring billing'. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current paid period and will not renew after that. You will not lose access immediately.
How to request a refund
Microsoft offers refunds for annual subscriptions cancelled within 30 days of the charge. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/services, go to 'Order history', find the relevant charge, and click 'Request a refund'. If the refund option is not shown, contact Microsoft Support at support.microsoft.com and select the billing category. Monthly subscriptions are generally not eligible for partial refunds.
When to contact your bank
If you have never purchased Microsoft 365 and the charge does not appear in your order history at account.microsoft.com/billing/orders, the charge may be fraudulent. Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and request a new card. You should also change your Microsoft account password and review any linked payment methods at account.microsoft.com/services.
Frequently asked questions
Why was I charged by 'Global Collect B.V.' or 'Cleverbridge'?
Microsoft uses third-party payment processors including Global Collect B.V. and Cleverbridge for Office 365 subscription billing. If you see these names on your statement alongside an amount that matches your Microsoft 365 plan price, it is almost certainly a legitimate Microsoft charge. Check your order history at account.microsoft.com/billing/orders to confirm.
I cancelled but was still charged. What should I do?
First, check your cancellation confirmation email to confirm the cancellation went through. If you have proof of cancellation, contact Microsoft Support at support.microsoft.com and request a refund, referencing your cancellation date. If Microsoft refuses and you have clear evidence of cancellation, you can raise a chargeback with your bank as a last resort.
What is the auto-renewal charge for Office 365?
Microsoft 365 Personal is typically $69.99/year or $6.99/month; Microsoft 365 Family is $99.99/year. Business plan prices vary by licence count. Check your original purchase email or sign in at account.microsoft.com/billing/orders to see the exact amount you were charged.
How do I turn off auto-renewal?
Sign in at account.microsoft.com/services, find your Microsoft 365 plan under 'Services & subscriptions', click 'Manage', and select 'Turn off recurring billing'. Your subscription stays active until the end of the current period — you will not lose access straight away.
I do not recognise the charge at all. Is it fraud?
Check your order history at account.microsoft.com/billing/orders first — if the charge does not appear there and you have never purchased Microsoft 365, it may be fraudulent. Contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge and consider requesting a replacement card. You should also change your Microsoft account password and review linked payment methods.
How long does a refund take?
Microsoft typically processes refunds within 3–5 business days of approval. The credit may take an additional 5–10 days to appear on your statement depending on your bank or card issuer. You can track the status of your refund request at account.microsoft.com/billing/orders.
Still need help?
If you cannot resolve your billing issue through Microsoft support, consider leaving a review to warn other consumers, or start a collective complaint if others are facing the same problem.