KLARNA — Klarna Bank Charge Explained

KLARNA on your bank statement is a transaction descriptor for Klarna, a finance company. Klarna is a Buy Now Pay Later provider letting you split or defer payments, so a charge is usually one instalment of a purchase made at another retailer. Several Klarna entries can appear at once if you have multiple plans running.

What Is the KLARNA Charge?

KLARNA is a transaction descriptor for Klarna, a finance company.

Klarna is a Buy Now Pay Later provider letting you split or defer payments, so a charge is usually one instalment of a purchase made at another retailer. Several Klarna entries can appear at once if you have multiple plans running. Watch your instalment dates, as missed payments may incur fees, and descriptors commonly read KLARNA*<merchant>.

This code appears on your bank statement because banks display a short payment reference — set by the merchant's payment processor — rather than the company's full trading name. The code KLARNA is the official identifier that Klarna registered with Visa or Mastercard.

Is the KLARNA Charge Legitimate?

Klarna has received mixed reviews and reports of unexpected charges. If you do not recognise this charge, we recommend contacting your bank immediately to dispute it and request a chargeback. You do not need to contact the merchant first.

How Do I Cancel or Dispute a KLARNA Charge?

  1. Identify the charge: Confirm the charge is from Klarna by checking your email for a receipt or logging into your account on their website.
  2. Cancel your subscription: If you no longer want the service, log in to Klarna and cancel your subscription through account settings before the next billing date.
  3. Contact the merchant: If you do not recognise the charge, contact Klarna customer support and ask for an explanation and refund.
  4. Dispute with your bank: If the merchant does not resolve the issue, call the number on the back of your card and ask to raise a chargeback on the KLARNA transaction. Provide the transaction date and amount.
  5. Section 75 rights: If you paid by credit card and the amount was over £100, you may have additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

What Other Names Does Klarna Use on Bank Statements?

Klarna may also appear on your statement as:

Frequently Asked Questions About KLARNA

What is KLARNA on my bank statement?

KLARNA is a bank statement transaction code for Klarna, a finance company. Klarna is a Buy Now Pay Later provider letting you split or defer payments, so a charge is usually one instalment of a purchase made at another retailer. Several Klarna entries can appear at once if you have multiple plans running. Watch your instalment dates, as missed payments may incur fees, and descriptors commonly read KLARNA*<merchant>. This descriptor appears because banks display a shortened payment code instead of the full company name.

Is KLARNA a scam?

Klarna has received mixed reviews and reports of unexpected charges. If you do not recognise this charge, we recommend contacting your bank immediately to dispute it and request a chargeback. You do not need to contact the merchant first.

Why is KLARNA on my bank statement?

KLARNA appears on your statement because Klarna processed a payment through their card payment provider. The code is set by their payment processor and is the official descriptor registered with Visa or Mastercard. Common reasons include a subscription renewal, a one-off purchase, or a trial period that has converted to a paid plan.

How do I cancel KLARNA?

To stop KLARNA charges from appearing on your statement, you need to cancel your Klarna subscription or account. Log in to the Klarna website, go to your account settings, and cancel your subscription. If you cannot find the cancellation option or do not recognise the charge, contact your bank to dispute it and block future payments.

How do I get a refund for a KLARNA charge?

If you believe you have been charged incorrectly by Klarna, first contact their customer support to request a refund. If they are unresponsive or unhelpful, contact your bank and ask to raise a chargeback. You typically have up to 120 days from the transaction date to raise a chargeback claim. For credit card purchases over £100, you may also be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

For more information about Klarna and all its known transaction codes, visit the Klarna merchant page.