Charge prefix guide
What is a GoCardless charge?
GoCardless collects direct debits on behalf of other businesses — gyms, clubs, accountants, small subscription services, invoice payments. The 'RE' part names who the collection is actually for, and because these are bank-to-bank direct debits rather than card payments, they carry direct-debit protections: your bank can recall them under the direct debit guarantee where one applies.
Important: a processor prefix identifies who processed the payment — not necessarily who you bought from.
Real examples of how it appears
- GOCARDLESS LTD RE ACME GYM
- GC RE SOMECLUB
- GOCARDLESS re Invoice 1042
- GOCARDLESS LTD REF <payment reference>-<mandate reference>
Formats vary by bank — reference fragments, cities and codes come and go, but the prefix shape stays recognisable.
Descriptor formats to look for
- GOCARDLESSb …
How to verify the charge
- Read the text after 'RE' — that's the merchant the debit is collected for.
- Check your bank's direct debit mandate list (in-app for most banks): the GoCardless mandate names the underlying business.
- Recurring GoCardless amounts map to memberships and service contracts — the kind agreed once by email and forgotten.
- Use GoCardless's official payment lookup tool at https://gocardless.com/payment-lookup/ — select where your bank account is based, then enter the payment amount and date, and it tells you which business collected the payment.
- Match the reference on the statement line against the payment-notification emails GoCardless or the business sent you — GoCardless's payer support says the statement reference matches the reference in those emails, though some banks truncate it to just 'GoCardless Ltd' (https://payersupport.gocardless.com/hc/en-gb/articles/13790592644124-Information-on-bank-statement-references). If the lookup tool finds nothing, email help@gocardless.com with the payment details.
Is it fraud?
Direct debits are the easiest payment type to stop: cancel the mandate at your bank and no further collections can occur. For an already-taken debit you didn't authorise, invoke the direct debit guarantee with your bank — refunds for genuinely unauthorised direct debits are typically prompt. Cancelling the mandate doesn't cancel any underlying contract, so tell the merchant too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just cancel a GoCardless payment at my bank?
Yes — cancel the direct debit mandate and future collections stop immediately. Pair it with written notice to the merchant so a genuine contract doesn't go to collections.
The 'RE' name means nothing to me — now what?
Paste the full line into the identifier, and check your bank's mandate list for the setup date — mandates are dated, and the date usually jogs the memory of what was signed up for.
How do I stop GoCardless taking payments from my account?
Cancel the Direct Debit mandate — either with the business you're paying, or directly through your bank, which must cancel it on request. Be aware that cancelling the mandate only stops the payment mechanism, not the underlying contract: if you still owe the business money under a subscription or agreement, they can pursue it another way, so cancel the service with them too.
Can I get a GoCardless payment refunded?
If the payment was collected in error — wrong amount, wrong date, or without a valid mandate — Direct Debit scheme protections apply. In the UK, the Direct Debit Guarantee entitles you to an immediate refund from your own bank, so contact your bank rather than GoCardless first. For a disputed but correctly collected payment (for example a service you meant to cancel), take it up with the business that billed you, since GoCardless only processes payments on their behalf.
What if the GoCardless payment lookup tool doesn't find my payment?
The tool matches on the details you enter, so first re-check the amount and date against your statement. If it still returns nothing, contact GoCardless payer support directly — email help@gocardless.com or submit a ticket with the statement line, amount, date, and the mandate reference if your bank shows one, and their support team can trace which business created the payment.
Common misunderstandings
- The city or state shown is often the company's registered address, not where you made the purchase.
- Charges can post days or weeks after the purchase.
- Small businesses may bill under a legal or holding-company name.
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