What is PAYPAL *INST charge?
Seen this charge on your bank statement? You're not alone. Thousands of people search for this transaction descriptor every month.
The PAYPAL *INST descriptor appears on your statement when you use PayPal Instant Transfer to move money from your PayPal balance to your bank account. The fee is typically 1% of the transfer amount.
If you see this charge and did not initiate a transfer, your PayPal account may have been compromised. Log into PayPal immediately to review recent activity and secure your account.
Is this charge legitimate?
Go through this checklist to determine if you authorized this transaction.
- Did you subscribe to or purchase from PayPal Instant Transfer?
- Do you recognize the charged amount?
- Did someone else use your card?
- Did you recently sign up for a free trial?
- Could this be a recurring subscription renewal?
If you don't recognize this charge at all, it may be unauthorized. Consider disputing it with your bank immediately.
How to get your money back
Follow these steps to dispute the charge and recover your funds.
Check your purchase history
Search your email inbox for receipts or order confirmations matching this charge. Check app stores, subscription services, and recent online purchases.
Contact the merchant directly
Reach out to the merchant via email, phone, or live chat. Many merchants will process refunds without needing a formal dispute if you act within their refund window.
Contact your bank or card issuer
If the merchant is unresponsive or refuses a refund, call the number on the back of your card. Explain the situation and ask to initiate a chargeback or dispute.
File a formal dispute
Submit a formal chargeback request with supporting evidence. Include receipts, correspondence with the merchant, and a clear explanation. Our AI can generate these documents for you.
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