A charge from “Zeeb Inc” on your credit or debit card statement is an unrecognized merchant descriptor, not a company with any known consumer-facing presence in the public record. That means one of three things is usually going on: a legitimate purchase is being billed under a name you don’t recognize, someone else on the account made the charge, or the transaction is unauthorized. The steps below will help you tell which, and dispute it if you need to.
Check the Charge Before You Dispute
Start with the basics. Match the date and amount against email receipts and recent purchases. Ask any authorized users or joint account holders whether they made it. Some banking apps now let you tap a transaction for expanded merchant details, and third-party lookup tools like Brex’s Charge Finder let you search databases of merchant descriptors to identify the business behind an unfamiliar name.1Brex. Charge Finder
Pay attention to small amounts you can’t place. Fraudsters run tiny “test” charges on stolen card numbers to confirm the account is active before attempting larger purchases.2Chase. How to Identify Fraudulent Charges on Your Credit Card The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued similar warnings about small-dollar test authorizations preceding larger fraud.3OCC. Credit Card and Debit Card Fraud
Why an Unfamiliar Name Can Still Be Legitimate
The name printed on your statement is a merchant descriptor, and it often does not match the storefront or brand name you’d recognize. A business may process payments under a parent company, a legal entity name, or a third-party payment processor. Mastercard calls the resulting confusion “transaction confusion” and, through its subsidiary Ethoca, has built tools that surface recognizable merchant names inside banking apps.4Mastercard. Transaction Confusion: Taking the Mystery Out of Shoppers’ Bank Statements If your investigation lines the charge up with a real purchase, no further action is needed.
Disputing a Credit Card Charge
If you can’t account for the charge, federal law is on your side. The Fair Credit Billing Act caps your liability for unauthorized credit card charges at $50, and most issuers offer zero-liability policies that go further.5FTC. Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau lays out three steps:
- Call the card issuer using the number on the back of the card. Note the representative’s name and the date.
- Send a written billing error notice to the issuer’s designated billing inquiry address, which is usually not the payment address. Include your name, account number, the amount and date of the charge, and why it’s wrong. Attach copies of any supporting documents and send it certified mail with a return receipt.6FTC. Disputing Credit Card Charges
- Get the written notice to the issuer within 60 days of the date the first statement showing the charge was sent.7CFPB. How Do I Dispute a Charge on My Credit Card Bill?
Once your written dispute arrives, the issuer must acknowledge it within 30 days and finish investigating within 90.5FTC. Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges While the investigation is open, the issuer cannot try to collect the disputed amount, charge interest on it, or report you as delinquent on it. If you win, the charge and any related fees come off. If you lose, the issuer must explain the decision in writing.7CFPB. How Do I Dispute a Charge on My Credit Card Bill?
Disputing a Debit Card Charge
Debit cards run on a different rulebook with tighter deadlines. Under Regulation E of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, your liability depends on how fast you tell the bank:
- Notify within two business days: liability is capped at $50, or the amount of unauthorized transfers if lower.8CFPB. Regulation E – Section 1005.6
- Notify after two business days but within 60 days of the statement: liability can rise to $500.8CFPB. Regulation E – Section 1005.6
- Notify after 60 days: you may face unlimited liability for unauthorized transfers that occur after the 60-day window.9FDIC. What Should I Do if I Have Unauthorized Charges on My Debit Card?
Banks generally have 10 business days to investigate after you notify them, or 20 business days if the account is under 30 days old. If they need longer, they typically must issue a temporary credit for the disputed amount, minus up to $50. Most investigations wrap within 45 days, though some transactions can take up to 90.10CFPB. How Do I Get My Money Back After I Discover an Unauthorized Transaction?
A bank cannot make you file a police report or contact the merchant before it starts investigating an unauthorized debit transaction.11CFPB. Electronic Fund Transfers FAQs
When to Report Beyond Your Bank
If the charge looks like part of a larger fraud or identity theft problem, the FTC runs two portals: ReportFraud.ftc.gov for scams and fraudulent charges, and IdentityTheft.gov for cases involving stolen personal information. The FTC uses these reports for enforcement and public alerts but does not resolve individual complaints.12FTC. How to Report Fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
If your card issuer or bank isn’t following the dispute rules, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.6FTC. Disputing Credit Card Charges The OCC also recommends placing a fraud alert with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion; the alert lasts one year and requires lenders to verify your identity before extending new credit.3OCC. Credit Card and Debit Card Fraud