Why this charge appears
The prefix identifies Square as the payment processor; the text after it should identify the actual shop, service provider, market seller, taxi, food truck, or online business.
If the payment is yours
Match the amount and date to your receipt or account history. For a billing mistake or a refund on a payment you recognize, contact the company through its official support channel and keep its reply.
Square checklist
- Compare the complete statement text, transaction date, amount, card, and whether the entry is pending or posted.
- Review email or text receipts, recent local and online purchases, tips, and Square receipt lookup, including purchases, subscriptions, refunds, and activity by family members or authorized users.
- Use Square receipt lookup and focus on the seller text after SQ; a pending pre-tip amount can temporarily appear beside the final tipped amount.
- Use only the official website or app to investigate. Do not call a number or open a payment link from an unexpected message.
- If the charge remains unfamiliar, contact the card issuer using the number on the card and ask about locking the card, replacing it, or disputing the transaction.
What to do next.
Match the payment to your records, check duplicate entries, and contact the bank or card issuer if it remains unexplained.
- If Square receipt lookup identifies the seller, contact that seller about the purchase, tip, refund, or duplicate before escalating to the issuer.
- If one entry is pending and another is posted, ask the card issuer whether the pending item is an authorization hold before treating it as a duplicate.
- Secure the related account and review saved payment methods if the purchase appears in account history but was not authorized.
- Treat this as a card-transaction question, not a collection account, unless a separate collection notice identifies a collector and debt.
- Square purchases and cardholder help — Square Support
- CFPB credit card charge disputes — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- FTC credit card disputes — Federal Trade Commission
Use the right payment dispute process
Choose how the money left your account to see the relevant process and template. If you are unsure, ask your bank whether the entry used a card or was a bank-account transfer.
Bank-account debit (ACH)
Report an unauthorized or incorrect electronic withdrawal to your checking bank promptly. Give it the date, amount, descriptor, and payment reference. Report an unauthorized debit no later than 60 days after the bank sends the statement showing it. Follow any request for written confirmation. Replacing a debit card does not stop an ACH debit using your bank-account details.
CFPB unauthorized bank-transfer letter (Word)To stop future automatic debits, revoke authorization with the company and notify your bank. Ask about a stop-payment order for a scheduled debit and follow the bank’s instructions. Stopping autopay does not cancel a contract or a balance you owe.
For a scheduled automatic debit, give the bank a stop-payment order at least three business days ahead. If it requires written confirmation of an oral stop order, provide it within 14 days. Ask about any fee.
- CFPB unauthorized-transfer guidance — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Stop automatic bank payments and download sample letters — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Automatic debit stop-payment timing — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Debit-card payment
Contact the bank that issued the debit card immediately about unauthorized use or a transaction error. Ask about securing the card and the electronic-transfer dispute process. Reporting deadlines differ from credit-card rules; lost or stolen cards or PINs can require notice within two business days to limit liability.
CFPB unauthorized-transfer letter (Word)- CFPB unauthorized-transfer guidance — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Credit-card charge
Call the issuer promptly. For federal billing-error rights, make sure the issuer receives written notice at its billing-inquiries address within 60 days after it sent the first statement containing the error. Keep the statement, receipts, and support replies. Merchant contact should not delay your notice to the issuer.
Credit-card billing-error letter- CFPB credit card charge disputes — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Verify the company behind the charge.
Use these official details to check your records. Report suspected unauthorized use promptly to the bank or card issuer for the payment method you used.
- Payment processor
- Block, Inc.
- Official website
- https://squareup.com/receipts
- Last reviewed
- August 14, 2026
- Square purchases and cardholder help — Square Support
Questions people ask about SQ* Square merchant.
What is SQ* Square merchant on my card statement?
Square says purchases from sellers using Square can appear with SQ*, gosq.com, the seller name, or a description of the business. The exact suffix, phone number, location, or reference text can vary by merchant and card issuer.
- Square purchases and cardholder help — Square Support
Why might SQ* Square merchant show more than once?
A pending authorization can temporarily appear beside a completed charge, and separate purchases or split transactions can also post individually. Compare status, date, amount, and official account history before disputing a duplicate.
- Square purchases and cardholder help — Square Support
- CFPB credit card charge disputes — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
What should I do if I do not recognize SQ* Square merchant?
Check the official account or order history and ask other authorized users first. If the charge is still unexplained, contact the card issuer promptly through the number on the card and preserve the statement details and any related receipts.
- Square purchases and cardholder help — Square Support
- FTC credit card disputes — Federal Trade Commission
