The RTI London charge on a bank statement is almost always a billing descriptor from a merchant trading as “RTI” with a London address or processing location. Descriptors are capped at roughly 20 to 25 characters, so what appears on your statement is a compressed trading name rather than a full company name you’d recognise.1Stripe. Billing Descriptors If the charge doesn’t ring a bell, match the date and amount against recent purchases, subscriptions, or payments by anyone else with access to the card, then call your bank for the full merchant details.
Why the Descriptor Looks Unfamiliar
When a business sets up card payments, it registers a short line of text that identifies its transactions on customer statements. Businesses are encouraged to use their “trading as” name rather than a formal legal name, and the descriptor often pairs that name with a location, product reference, or website. So “RTI London” most likely means a company trading as “RTI” registered or processing from London.1Stripe. Billing Descriptors Some merchants also append a phone number outside the main character limit, though not all do.2Papaya Global. Billing Descriptors
If the charge is very recent, it may still be a “soft” descriptor, which can differ from the “hard” descriptor that replaces it once the payment settles a few days later. The name on your statement might change on its own into something you recognise.1Stripe. Billing Descriptors
Which Company Is Behind an RTI Charge
Several UK-registered businesses have used “RTI” in their name. Companies House shows at least three: RTI (UK) Limited (company number 15468177), incorporated in February 2024, dealing in wholesale construction materials and registered in Blackburn;3Companies House. RTI (UK) Limited — Company Overview an older, now dissolved RTI (UK) Limited (company number 00686484) whose officers listed addresses in Illinois, suggesting a US parent;4Companies House. RTI (UK) Limited — Officers and RTI Limited (company number 06595740), which held registered offices at several London addresses before being dissolved by compulsory strike-off in January 2021.5Companies House. RTI Limited — Filing History
Any of these, or an unrelated business also trading as “RTI,” could be the source of the charge. The surest way to identify the actual merchant is to ring the number on the back of your card and ask the bank for the full merchant details on file, including the merchant ID and any contact phone number. Banks hold considerably more information about each transaction than the short descriptor you see.
If You Didn’t Authorise the Charge
Once you’ve checked with anyone else on the account and ruled out a legitimate purchase, UK consumer rules give you clear options.
Report It to Your Bank First
Notify your bank as soon as you spot a transaction you didn’t make, using the contact details on your card or statement. Under the Payment Services Regulations, if the payment is genuinely unauthorised the bank must refund it, generally by the end of the next business day after you report it. You have 13 months from the transaction date to report an unauthorised payment and preserve this right. Where a card was lost or stolen before you reported it, your liability is capped at £35.6FCA. Fraudulent Payments
A bank can only refuse a refund if it can show you authorised the payment, acted fraudulently, or failed to protect your security credentials such as a PIN or password. The burden of proof sits with the bank.7Citizens Advice. Your Payment Card Was Used Without Your Permission
Chargeback
Chargeback is a scheme run under Visa, Mastercard, and American Express rules through which your card provider reclaims funds from the merchant’s bank. It covers both debit and credit cards. It isn’t a statutory right, and claims generally have to be submitted within 120 days of the transaction or the date you were expecting the goods or services.8MoneyHelper. How You’re Protected When You Pay by Card The merchant can challenge a chargeback, so leave any refunded amount in the account for a few weeks in case the reversal is contested.9Citizens Advice. Getting Your Money Back if You Paid by Card or PayPal
Section 75 for Credit Card Purchases
If the charge was on a credit card and relates to an item costing more than £100 and no more than £30,000, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes the card provider jointly liable with the seller for breach of contract or misrepresentation. Even paying only a deposit by credit card can trigger this protection, as long as the total item price falls within those limits.9Citizens Advice. Getting Your Money Back if You Paid by Card or PayPal Make the claim in writing to the credit card provider; if it’s rejected, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.10Financial Ombudsman Service. Goods and Services Bought on Credit Section 75 doesn’t apply to debit cards and generally doesn’t cover purchases routed through third-party processors like PayPal or online marketplaces.11UK Finance. Chargeback and Section 75
Reporting Suspected Fraud
If the charge looks like fraud, for instance where your card details have been compromised, report it to the police as well as the bank. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, use Report Fraud (which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025) online at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101 or Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.12FCA. Report a Scam
If the Bank Refuses to Refund You
Where a bank declines an unauthorised-transaction claim or a chargeback, file a formal complaint with the bank itself. If it doesn’t resolve the complaint within eight weeks, or its final response doesn’t satisfy you, refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which provides free, independent dispute resolution.10Financial Ombudsman Service. Goods and Services Bought on Credit Keep written records of every exchange, including emails, letters, and dated notes of phone calls. They matter at each stage of the dispute.9Citizens Advice. Getting Your Money Back if You Paid by Card or PayPal