What is the GOOD SAMARITAN charge on my credit card?

What this charge usually means

A charge labeled GOOD SAMARITAN is most often tied to a payment made to the Good Samaritan Foundation, part of the Good Samaritan senior care network. In many cases, this is a charitable gift processed through Good Samaritan’s donation system, but some cardholders may also see similar wording after making certain payments connected to services.

If you or a family member recently donated, attended a fundraiser, or made a payment connected to Good Samaritan, the charge can post under a short descriptor that does not include full location details. That can make it look unfamiliar even when it is legitimate.

Why it appeared on your statement

Common triggers include a one-time donation, a saved card used during a follow-up gift, or a payment initiated by a spouse, parent, or business office that supports a resident. Some card processors also shorten merchant names, so the final bank descriptor may show only GOOD SAMARITAN instead of the exact page or campaign name you used at checkout.

• You made a direct donation on Good Samaritan’s website.
• A household member used your card for a gift or resident-related payment.
• A prior donation method was reused for a later transaction.
• Your bank abbreviated the descriptor, removing extra context.
• The charge is unauthorized and needs investigation.

How to verify the transaction

Start with the basics: compare the posted date and amount against your emails, text receipts, and browser history. Search your inbox for donation confirmations and look for references to Good Samaritan or related campaign language. If details still do not match, contact Good Samaritan support directly and ask them to locate the transaction by amount, date, and last four digits of your card.

You can also compare this charge pattern with other common statement descriptors such as Patreon and Cash App, especially if your statement has multiple unfamiliar entries in the same billing cycle.

How to cancel future charges

If this was a donation you no longer want repeated, ask support to confirm whether any recurring gift or stored payment profile is active. Request written confirmation of cancellation and keep that message for your records. Then check your next statement to make sure no additional charges post.

If you used a digital wallet or third-party checkout, remove the saved payment method there as well. In many cases, stopping future billing requires cancellation in both the merchant system and your wallet/subscription settings.

How to dispute a GOOD SAMARITAN charge

If the charge is not yours, contact your card issuer immediately and report it as unauthorized. Ask for a temporary card lock while the dispute is reviewed. Provide any evidence you have, including transaction date, amount, and your attempt to contact the merchant. Most issuers can file a formal chargeback reason code and issue a provisional credit when appropriate.

Act quickly because card-network dispute windows are time-limited. Even if the amount is small, prompt reporting helps prevent additional attempts and improves the odds of recovery.

Bottom line

Most GOOD SAMARITAN charges are legitimate donation or payment activity, but the descriptor is broad enough to cause confusion. Verify first using your receipts and household activity, then contact the merchant, and dispute through your bank if anything remains unrecognized.