You completed a payment and received a receipt showing one total. Later, your card statement shows a different amount.
It looks like an overcharge. In some cases, it even feels like a duplicate payment.
In most situations, the difference is caused by settlement timing, tax adjustments, or currency conversion — not an extra charge.
Why Receipt Totals and Card Charges Can Differ
- Sales tax or VAT added after the displayed base price
- Foreign transaction fees or exchange rate adjustments
- Temporary authorization holds before final settlement
- Platform service or processing fees applied separately
Pending vs Posted Charges Explained
- Pending transactions may show a higher temporary amount
- Banks adjust totals when the transaction officially settles
- Currency rates are applied at posting time, not checkout time
- Some merchants display pre-tax pricing on receipts
When You Should Be Concerned
- The final posted amount remains higher after settlement
- You see multiple completed charges for one purchase
- No tax or currency reason explains the difference
- The charge does not match the merchant listed on the receipt
If your receipt and card charge don’t match, wait until the transaction settles. If the difference remains after posting, contact the merchant or your bank to review the charge.