What is the RENT A CENTER charge on my credit card?

What this charge usually means

A statement line reading RENT A CENTER is typically a payment tied to a Rent-A-Center rent-to-own agreement. The company rents furniture, appliances, electronics, and computers with scheduled renewal payments that are often weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. Because of that billing model, many cardholders see this as a repeating charge instead of a one-time purchase.

If the amount looks familiar, compare it with your rental agreement, online account, or app payment history. In many cases, the charge is legitimate and matches your scheduled renewal date or a catch-up payment.

Why it appeared on your card

• You have an active rent-to-own agreement and your regular payment processed.
• A store associate took a phone payment or manual payment that posted under the corporate descriptor.
• A family member on your household plan used your card for an existing agreement.
• You updated payment methods and the next renewal ran on the new card.
• A previously declined payment was retried and then posted successfully.

Descriptors can vary by processor, store, or channel, so the statement text may not match exactly what you remember at checkout.

How to verify the charge quickly

• Check the exact date and amount on your card statement.
• Log in at Rent-A-Center and review your agreement number and payment ledger.
• Call customer service at 1-800-422-8186 and ask them to match the transaction to your agreement.
• Contact your local store if you recently changed due dates, reinstated an agreement, or made a split payment.
• Confirm whether the charge includes optional plan features, taxes, or fees allowed by your agreement.

If you also monitor other subscription-like descriptors, compare formatting with pages like Patreon and Cash App so you can separate recurring services from rent-to-own renewals.

How to cancel or stop future charges

Rent-A-Center charges are usually tied to an active agreement, so cancellation is handled through account/store servicing rather than a simple unsubscribe button. Start by contacting your store or customer service and asking for the exact steps to end renewals for your agreement. If you are still within a flexible period or no longer need the merchandise, ask about scheduling a return and confirming the effective stop date for billing.

Request written confirmation (email or receipt) showing the agreement status change, return date, and any remaining balance. Keep this in case another charge appears after cancellation.

When and how to dispute

Dispute the charge with your card issuer if you cannot link it to any agreement, if it continues after documented cancellation, or if the amount is clearly incorrect and support cannot resolve it. Before filing, gather your statement screenshot, agreement details, cancellation proof, and notes from support calls. This documentation helps your bank classify the dispute correctly and speeds investigation.

For best results, try merchant resolution first, then escalate to your bank within your card network timeline. If your bank issues a provisional credit, monitor the case and respond quickly to any request for additional proof.

Bottom line

Most RENT A CENTER entries are legitimate recurring rent-to-own payments. Verify against your agreement first, contact support to stop unwanted renewals, and dispute promptly if the transaction is unauthorized or unresolved.