A CUR BITLOVE LTD charge on your bank statement is a payment to FetLife.com, an adult social networking site for fetish and kink communities. BitLove Ltd. is the Cyprus-based company that handles FetLife’s billing, which is why its name shows up instead of the website’s. The typical amount is around $30, which covers a six-month supporter subscription. If you didn’t sign up yourself, someone with access to your card number did, or the charge is fraudulent.
Why the Statement Says BitLove Instead of FetLife
Payment processors register a legal business name with card networks, and that legal name appears on statements rather than the consumer-facing brand. BitLove Ltd. is the legal entity behind FetLife, so your bank shows something like “CUR*BITLOVE LTD NICOSIA CYP” or “BITLOVE LTD. NICOSIA CY.” The “CUR” prefix generally signals a currency conversion or cross-border processing route, which fits because BitLove Ltd. is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, while most cardholders are in the United States or Canada.
The mismatch between website and biller is routine for online services. It isn’t a sign of anything shady on its own. But it does explain why a charge you never made can feel unrecognizable at first glance.
Who Made the Charge
FetLife advertises its supporter membership at $5 per month, but the standard cycle bills $30 upfront for six months. That lump amount is what surprises most people, because they were expecting the $5 figure. The subscription does not auto-renew. If the same charge appears again months later, someone actively re-subscribed.
A few explanations usually fit:
- You created a FetLife account and bought a subscription some time ago, and the descriptor didn’t stick in your memory.
- A spouse, partner, family member, or anyone else who knows your card number used it. The discreet billing name is part of why these charges often go unnoticed until a statement review.
- No one with legitimate access made the purchase, which points to unauthorized use.
Ask BitLove for a Refund First
Contacting BitLove is the fastest route to your money back. FetLife’s terms allow a full refund if you email within seven days of the transaction, returned to the original payment method.
- Email: support@fetlife.com
- Phone: (833) 248-5683
- Mail: BitLove Inc., Suite #125, 718-333 Brooksbank Ave., North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7J 3V8
Include the transaction date, the exact dollar amount, and the last four digits of the card. If you have a FetLife account, add the username or the email address on the account. Keep any confirmation emails and reference numbers. That paper trail matters if you end up disputing the charge with your bank later.
Disputing a Credit Card Charge
If BitLove won’t refund you, or the seven-day window has closed, federal law gives you a separate path. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have 60 days from the date your credit card statement was sent to notify your card issuer of a billing error. That deadline is strict, and missing it can end your dispute rights.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code Title 15 – Section 1666 Correction of Billing Errors
The notice has to be in writing and sent to your issuer’s billing inquiries address, which is not the same as the payment address. It’s usually printed on the back of your statement or listed on the issuer’s website. Include your name and account number, identify the charge, state the amount, and briefly explain why you believe it’s wrong.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code Title 15 – Section 1666 Correction of Billing Errors
Your issuer must acknowledge the dispute within 30 days and finish investigating within two full billing cycles, capped at 90 days. While the investigation runs, the issuer cannot collect the disputed amount from you or report it as delinquent. If it finds an error, it must correct the account and refund related finance charges. If it decides the charge was valid, it must send a written explanation and, on request, documentation of the charge.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code Title 15 – Section 1666 Correction of Billing Errors
Separately from the FCBA, Visa and Mastercard chargeback rules generally allow up to 120 days from the transaction date to file. Most banks let you start that process from an app or website without a formal letter.
Disputing a Debit Card Charge
Debit charges fall under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E, and your protection depends heavily on how fast you report:
- Within 2 business days of learning about the unauthorized charge, your liability is capped at $50.2eCFR. 12 CFR 1005.6 – Liability of Consumer for Unauthorized Transfers
- Between 3 and 60 days after the statement is sent, liability can reach $500.2eCFR. 12 CFR 1005.6 – Liability of Consumer for Unauthorized Transfers
- After 60 days, you can be liable for the full amount of any unauthorized transfers that occur after that window. There is no cap.2eCFR. 12 CFR 1005.6 – Liability of Consumer for Unauthorized Transfers
Once you’ve reported the problem, the bank generally has 10 business days to investigate and reach a conclusion. It can extend to 45 days if it provisionally credits your account within the first 10 business days, so you have access to the money while the review continues.3Office of the Law Revision Counsel. United States Code Title 15 – Section 1693f Procedures for Resolving Errors If it concludes the charge was unauthorized, it must correct your account within one business day and notify you within three business days.
The practical point: with a debit card, speed is money. Report the same day you spot the charge.
What Happens if BitLove Pushes Back
Filing a dispute doesn’t guarantee you win. When the merchant receives a chargeback notice, it can submit evidence that the charge was legitimate. That evidence typically includes IP address logs, the device used at sign-up, email confirmations, and agreement to the terms of service. If the purchase traces back to your IP address or a device linked to your household, the bank may side with the merchant.
Documentation on your side helps. If you didn’t make the purchase, a police report for identity theft or proof you were elsewhere strengthens the claim. If someone in your household used the card without your permission, expect a harder review. Banks sometimes treat charges made by family or people with physical access to your card differently than charges made by a stranger.
Keeping It From Happening Again
If the charge was yours and you simply don’t want another one, there is nothing to cancel. FetLife’s supporter subscription does not auto-renew, so a new charge only appears if someone re-subscribes. Removing saved card details from the account prevents accidental future purchases.
For unrecognized recurring charges in general, a few habits help:
- Use virtual card numbers where your bank offers them. A merchant-locked or single-use number can be disabled without touching your main card.
- Turn on real-time transaction alerts. Catching a charge within hours preserves your strongest dispute rights, especially on debit.
- Open every statement. The 60-day clocks under both the FCBA and Regulation E start when the statement is sent, not when you happen to notice the charge.