Circumtec is an Australian payment technology company that provides cashless payment processing for unattended equipment such as self-service car washes, laundromats, vending machines, dog washes, and amusement machines. Charges from car wash locations may appear on statements with descriptors like “Circum Wash Mentone” or similar variations.
Circumtec is an Australian payment technology company based in Mentone, Victoria, that specializes in cashless payment solutions for unattended equipment. They provide card and mobile payment processing systems for self-service car washes, laundromats, vending machines, pet and dog washes, amusement machines, and other self-serve terminals. Circumtec operates as the payment gateway and technology provider, enabling businesses to accept EFTPOS, debit/credit cards, and digital wallets without needing staff on-site.
A Circumtec charge may appear on your bank or card statement when you use a card or mobile wallet at a self-service car wash, laundromat, vending machine, or similar unattended machine that uses Circumtec’s payment system. Statement descriptors often include names like “Circum Wash Mentone,” “Circumtec,” or a combination of “Circum” plus the specific site or business name. You might see charges for one-time uses (e.g., a single car wash), multiple small transactions from repeated uses, recurring charges if a site offers a membership or wash club, or temporary authorization holds that differ slightly from your final wash or service cost.
If you’re unsure about a Circumtec charge, start by recalling any recent visits to self-service car washes, laundromats, dog washes, or vending locations, especially in or near the place named in the descriptor (such as Mentone). Check for receipts or on-screen confirmations from the machine, and review recent dates and times you used those services. For questions, visit circumtec.com.au to find contact details or support information, and you can also contact the car wash or venue directly, since they set prices and manage refunds. If you still don’t recognize the transaction, contact your bank or card issuer to dispute the charge and to check for any additional or related activity on your account.
Bank Statement Variations
3 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Circumtec.
Why do I see a charge from Circumtec or “Circum Wash Mentone” on my bank statement?
This charge usually appears when you pay by card or mobile wallet at a self-service car wash, laundromat, dog wash, vending machine, or other unattended machine that uses Circumtec’s payment technology. The descriptor might show as “Circumtec,” “Circum Wash Mentone,” or “Circum [Site Name]” because Circumtec processes the payment on behalf of the business. The amount should match the cost of the service you selected at the machine, sometimes including any additional time or options you purchased.
Why was I charged more than once by Circumtec for a single visit to a car wash or laundromat?
Multiple Circumtec charges can occur if you started several separate sessions, extended time, or used more than one machine (for example, a wash bay and then a vacuum, or multiple washing machines). Each start or top-up may be processed as an individual transaction, which will show as separate line items on your statement. Review the timestamps of the charges and compare them with when you used the equipment to confirm they match your actual usage.
Why do I see a higher pending or temporary Circumtec amount than the final car wash cost?
Some Circumtec-enabled machines place a temporary authorization hold on your card for a set amount (for example, a higher maximum spend) to ensure the card is valid and has sufficient funds. Once your actual usage is completed and finalized, the transaction is adjusted to the exact amount of the service you used, and the remaining portion of the hold is released by your bank. This hold is controlled by your bank or card issuer and typically drops off within a few business days.
Does Circumtec offer subscriptions or memberships, and how do I cancel them?
Circumtec itself is the payment processor and technology provider; any subscription, membership, or wash club is usually offered and managed by the individual car wash or venue. If you see a recurring Circumtec charge (weekly or monthly) tied to a specific location, contact that site directly to cancel or change your plan—their contact details are often posted at the wash or on their website. If you can’t identify the site, check the full statement descriptor for a location name, then call or search that business online, or contact Circumtec via circumtec.com.au for help identifying the merchant.
How can I request a refund for a Circumtec charge if a machine failed or stopped mid-cycle?
Refunds are typically handled by the business that owns the machine, not directly by Circumtec. Note the date, time, location, amount, and what went wrong (for example, no water, soap did not dispense, machine stopped early), then contact the car wash or venue using the phone number or email usually displayed on-site. If you cannot reach them, you may submit details through Circumtec’s contact form at circumtec.com.au so they can help route your request, or you can contact your bank to dispute the transaction as a last resort.
What are common Circumtec charge amounts I might see?
Circumtec processes payments set by each individual business, so amounts vary by location and service. Common one-time charges might align with typical self-service pricing—such as small amounts for a single wash cycle, dryer cycle, or a few minutes of car wash time, sometimes with added increments if you pressed ‘add time’ on the machine. If you see an unfamiliar amount, consider whether you extended a session, used multiple functions, or visited a higher-priced location.
How can I verify which location a specific Circumtec charge came from?
Look closely at the transaction description—many Circumtec charges include a partial site name or suburb, such as “Circum Wash Mentone” or similar wording. Match the date and location with places you recently visited that have self-service car washes, laundromats, dog washes, or vending machines. If the description is unclear, your bank may see additional merchant details on their side, or you can contact Circumtec via circumtec.com.au with the date, amount, and descriptor to help identify the venue.
What should I do if I don’t recognize a Circumtec transaction at all?
First, check with family members or others who may have access to your card to see if they used a self-service car wash, laundromat, or similar service. If no one recognizes the charge, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to report the transaction as unrecognized and ask them to investigate or block your card if necessary. You can also reach out to Circumtec through their website, circumtec.com.au, providing the transaction date, amount, and descriptor so they can help identify the underlying merchant for you and your bank.
This merchant is in the Financial Services category