Have you ever looked at your bank or credit card statement and noticed a confusing charge labeled “AMAZON MKTP US”?
In this article, we will clarify what this transaction signifies, provide insights into the company associated with it, discuss other possible transaction descriptions, and assist you in locating the relevant receipts.
This way, you can confirm that this is a genuine charge rather than a fraudulent one.
Amazon vs. Amazon Marketplace
Consider Amazon and Amazon Marketplace as distinct components of Amazon’s overall operations.
While they are interconnected, each functions autonomously. Here are the main differences between the two:
Amazon
Amazon.com serves as the main online retail platform owned and managed by Amazon.
- It directly sells products to customers using its own inventory, covering a broad spectrum of categories.
- Amazon takes charge of inventory management, order fulfillment, customer support, and returns for items sold directly by the company.
- The platform also offers subscription services, including Amazon Prime, Amazon Music, Amazon Video, and Amazon Kindle.
- Revenue is generated through product sales, subscription fees, and various other services.
Amazon Marketplace
Amazon Marketplace exists as a feature within Amazon.com that enables third-party sellers to list and sell their items alongside Amazon’s own products.
- This platform allows individuals and businesses to access a large customer base without the need for their own e-commerce sites.
- Third-party sellers can offer both new and pre-owned items and determine their own pricing.
- Payment processing is managed by Amazon, which also provides fulfillment services through programs like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
- Sellers are subject to various fees, including referral charges and fulfillment fees if they opt for FBA.
- Amazon Marketplace greatly enhances the variety of products available on Amazon.com, turning it into a more extensive online marketplace.
In summary, Amazon directly sells products to customers, oversees its inventory, and offers a range of services and subscription options.
On the other hand, Amazon Marketplace serves as a platform for third-party sellers to showcase their products on Amazon’s site, benefiting from its extensive customer base and infrastructure for a fee.
Collectively, these elements establish Amazon as one of the largest and most varied online marketplaces in the world.
Understanding Amazon Charges
Charges from Amazon on your credit card statement can vary based on the type of transaction and its processing method.
Here are some common descriptions you may encounter for Amazon-related charges:
- AMAZON or Amazon.com: This is the most straightforward and widely recognized label for purchases made directly on the Amazon website.
- AMZN: Amazon frequently uses this abbreviated version of its name for various transactions.
- AMZN Mktp US: This label indicates purchases made through the Amazon Marketplace, showing that the transaction was completed within this platform.
- AMZN Digital: You might see this descriptor for digital items such as e-books, music, movies, or software purchased from Amazon.
- AMZN Prime Membership: If you subscribe to Amazon Prime, your monthly or annual membership fee may be reflected with this label.
- AWS Amazon Web Services: Charges related to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud computing or hosting will include this designation.
- AMZN Prime Video: This label can appear for transactions associated with Amazon Prime Video, the streaming service offered by Amazon.
- AMZN Fresh: This descriptor pertains to purchases made through Amazon Fresh, Amazon’s grocery delivery service.
- AMZN Kindle: This might be used for charges linked to Kindle e-books or purchases related to Kindle devices.
- AMZN Mktp CA: Similar to “AMZN Mktp US,” this label refers to Amazon Marketplace purchases made in Canada.
- AMZN Music: You may see this for transactions connected to Amazon Music, the music streaming platform.
- AMZN Appstore: If you buy apps from Amazon’s app store for Android devices, this label may appear.
- AMZN Digital Services: This designation is used for a range of digital services offered by Amazon, including downloads and subscriptions.
- AmazonSmile: If you shop through AmazonSmile, a portion of your purchase supports a charitable organization of your choice, and this label may be displayed.
AMZN Payments
AMZN Payments: This label is sometimes used for transactions related to payments.
Keep in mind that the specific description on your credit card statement may differ, and the examples provided here are just a few common ones. Suppose you have questions about a particular charge.
In that case, you can usually find more information in the order history of your Amazon account or reach out to Amazon customer support for help.
It’s also essential to regularly review your credit card statements to ensure that all charges are legitimate.
Identifying Fraudulent Charges
To help monitor your finances, consider using a helpful tool like the SimplyWise app!
Tracking all the activities on your credit card or bank statement each month can be overwhelming.
SimplyWise helps you organize and store receipts and online transactions (including those from Amazon, Walmart, PayPal, and others) to give you a clear view of your spending as it happens.
Here’s how to start identifying unauthorized charges and gain better insight into your expenses:
Step 1
Download the SimplyWise app and link your Amazon account.
With the Amazon Connect feature in the app, you can access all your Amazon transactions with just a touch.
There’s no limit to the number of transactions that can be imported into your SimplyWise account, so you don’t have to worry if you frequently shop on Amazon like many others!
Step 2
Link your bank account or credit card transactions using the secure Reconciliation feature (protected by 256-bit encryption) within the app.
After connecting your accounts to SimplyWise, you’ll be able to compare the transactions logged in your SimplyWise account with the charges appearing on your bank or credit card statements.
Step 3
Compare the charges reported by your financial institution with those recorded in your SimplyWise account.
SimplyWise will match your transactions with your bank or credit card spending, marking them off for easy tracking.
If there are transactions on your bank statement that SimplyWise cannot identify, they will be marked with an alert icon (!).
Should you examine these charges and still find them unfamiliar, it’s advisable to reach out to your bank for additional support.