Question 1

Why am I seeing a Commonwealth Bank charge if I didn’t buy anything from the bank?

Accepted Answer

Even if you didn’t make a purchase directly from Commonwealth Bank, transactions done with your CommBank debit or credit card can sometimes appear with generic descriptors like “COMMONWEALTH BANK POS PURCHASE” or “CBA CARD TRANS”. This often happens when small or independent merchants use Commonwealth Bank as their payment processor or terminal provider, so the bank’s name appears instead of the shop’s trading name. View the transaction details in the CommBank app or NetBank to see additional information such as merchant category, suburb, or receipt reference, which can help you identify the store.

Question 2

What types of recurring or subscription charges can Commonwealth Bank place on my account?

Accepted Answer

Common recurring charges from Commonwealth Bank include monthly account-keeping fees on certain everyday or business accounts, annual or monthly credit card fees, home loan package fees, and ongoing premiums for insurance products (such as home, car, or credit card insurance). You may also see recurring direct debits for CommBank personal loans, home loans, or CommSec margin loans if you’ve set repayments to come out automatically. These generally occur on the same date each month or statement period, which you can confirm in NetBank or the CommBank app under your account details and statements.

Question 3

Why do I see a small $1 or low-value Commonwealth Bank ‘pending’ charge?

Accepted Answer

Small pending amounts (often around $1 or a few dollars) linked to Commonwealth Bank can be temporary authorization holds used to verify that your card is active when you add it to a digital wallet, online service, or subscription platform. These are not actual purchases and should disappear or be reversed within a few business days once verification is complete. If a low-value authorization remains posted for more than a week or you see multiple repeated authorizations you don’t recognise, contact Commonwealth Bank through the app or via the number on the back of your card.

Question 4

How can I find out exactly which merchant is behind a Commonwealth Bank card transaction?

Accepted Answer

Open the CommBank app or log in to NetBank, navigate to the relevant account, and tap on the transaction to see expanded details. Commonwealth Bank often provides the merchant’s trading name, location, date and time of purchase, and sometimes the terminal ID or website. Cross-check this information with your receipts, recent online orders, and emails or SMS confirmations. If it still looks unfamiliar, you can call Commonwealth Bank and ask them to investigate the merchant details further.

Question 5

How do I stop a recurring Commonwealth Bank fee or direct debit I no longer want?

Accepted Answer

To stop a recurring fee charged by Commonwealth Bank itself (such as an optional account feature, package fee, or insurance premium), you generally need to change or close that product—this can usually be done by calling the bank, visiting a branch, or via secure messaging in NetBank. For third-party subscriptions or direct debits processed through your Commonwealth Bank account (like gyms or streaming services), you should first cancel with the merchant according to their terms, then if deductions continue, request the bank’s help to stop or block the direct debit. Always download or save confirmation of any cancellation for your records.

Question 6

How can I dispute a Commonwealth Bank card transaction or request a refund?

Accepted Answer

If you believe a transaction is fraudulent or incorrect, promptly report it via the CommBank app (under the transaction, look for “Something’s wrong” or similar), through NetBank, by calling the number on your card, or by visiting a branch. Commonwealth Bank may suggest first contacting the merchant if it appears to be a billing error, duplicate charge, or quality-of-service issue, as many merchants can process refunds quickly. If that fails or the transaction seems unauthorised, the bank can assist you with a formal dispute or chargeback under Visa or Mastercard rules, and may place a temporary credit on your account while they investigate.

Question 7

Why was I charged an international transaction or foreign currency fee by Commonwealth Bank?

Accepted Answer

Commonwealth Bank may charge an international transaction fee when you use your card overseas or when you buy from a merchant that processes payments outside Australia, even if the price is shown in AUD. The fee is typically a small percentage of the transaction amount and may appear as a separate line item on your statement labelled “Intl Transaction Fee” or similar. To confirm the exact percentage and when it applies for your specific card, check your card’s terms and conditions on commbank.com.au or within NetBank.

Question 8

How can I contact Commonwealth Bank about a charge I don’t recognise?

Accepted Answer

You can contact Commonwealth Bank by calling the phone number printed on the back of your card or listed under “Contact us” on commbank.com.au, available 24/7 for lost, stolen, or suspicious card issues. Alternatively, use the CommBank app to start a secure chat or send a message through NetBank, which lets support staff see the specific transaction you’re referring to. For in-person assistance, visit a Commonwealth Bank branch with your ID and, if possible, any receipts or screenshots related to the charge so staff can investigate more efficiently.

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