If you see a line on your credit card statement that reads “Zonda Media” (or something similar), it can be unsettling. This guide explains, in plain U.S.-consumer language, what that descriptor likely is, how to confirm whether the charge is legitimate, and the exact steps you should take if you didn’t authorize it. The goal: protect your money and your credit with clear, actionable steps.
What is Zonda?
Zonda (formerly Hanley Wood / Meyers Research) is an American company that provides housing-market data, publishing and media services for the residential construction and real-estate industries. They publish industry magazines, research reports, and run data platforms and events.
Zonda accepts online payments for services such as advertising, event registrations, sponsorships, and reports — they even have an online payment portal and an accounts-receivable email address listed for billing questions.
Why you might see “Zonda Media” on your statement (legitimate reasons)
If the charge is legitimate, these are the most common explanations:
You (or someone on your behalf) purchased a product or service
examples: an industry report, a trade show ticket, an advertising package, or an event registration. Zonda works in B2B publishing and events, so many customers are businesses.
A third party billed through Zonda
sometimes agencies, event platforms, or partners route payments through the publisher, so the descriptor on your bank statement may show the publisher’s name even if you signed up via a different site.
Invoice/payment processing descriptor
corporate billing systems and merchant processors sometimes show a company’s legal name (Zonda Media) whereas the public brand might be slightly different.
Avoid assuming wrongdoing just from the name alone — the descriptor often reflects the company that processed the charge, not necessarily the app/site you interacted with.
When Zonda Media could indicate a problem
You should treat the charge as suspicious when any of these apply:
- You definitely did not purchase anything from Zonda or any company in the homebuilding/media space.
- The amount is wrong or is a repeat subscription you didn’t authorize.
- You cannot find a receipt, confirmation email, or invoice matching the transaction.
- Family members, employees, or co-workers deny making the charge.
If any of the above are true, it’s time to investigate and possibly dispute the charge.
Quick verification checklist (do this first)
- Search your email for receipts or confirmations. Try keywords: “Zonda”, “Zonda Media”, “Zonda Home”, “Hanley Wood”, or the transaction date and amount.
- Check with people who share the account (spouse, employee, virtual assistant) — someone may have paid on your behalf.
- Look for an invoice number in the email or paperwork that matches the amount. Zonda’s billing pages and terms reference invoices and account receivable processes.
- Visit Zonda’s site to confirm company contact channels and whether the service lines up with anything you ordered.
If you still can’t match the charge to a purchase, proceed to disputing it.
Step-by-step: How to dispute an unauthorized Zonda charge
- Save evidence — screenshot the statement line, note the date, amount, and your card’s last four digits. Save any emails that might be related.
- Contact Zonda billing — Zonda lists an AR/billing contact on its payment portal (e.g., AR-Media@zondahome.com) and phone numbers on their pages. Ask them for an invoice and merchant detail for the transaction. Keep records of your call/email.
- Call your credit card issuer — tell them you don’t recognize the charge and ask to file a dispute/chargeback. Most U.S. cards let you dispute billing errors and unauthorized transactions; the issuer will guide the timeline and next steps.
- Request a provisional credit if available — many card issuers give temporary credit while they investigate.
- Block or replace the card if you suspect fraud — this prevents further unauthorized charges.
- Follow up in writing — ask Zonda and your card issuer to confirm resolution by email so you have a record.
What Zonda (and similar publishers) will likely ask for
- Transaction date and amount.
- Last four digits of the card used.
- Any invoice number or order confirmation you can find.
- Having these ready speeds up the merchant investigation and the card issuer’s dispute process.
Consumer protection tips (to avoid surprises)
- Turn on transaction alerts (SMS or email) for immediate notice of any charge.
- Check statements weekly, not just monthly — small unauthorized charges are easier to contest promptly.
- Use a business card for business services so personal charges remain separate and easier to manage.
- Keep online account passwords and email secure — many billing mix-ups stem from compromised accounts.
- Ask for invoices before paying for B2B purchases; legitimate publishers will issue formal invoices.
Template: Email to send to Zonda billing
Subject: Request for invoice and transaction details — [Date] — [Amount]
Hello Zonda Billing,
I have a charge on my credit card for [Amount] dated [Date] that appears as “Zonda Media” on my statement. Please provide the invoice number, order details, and the billing contact for this transaction so I can verify whether this was authorized.
Card last 4 digits: [XXXX]
Transaction date: [Date]
Amount: [Amount]
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Contact phone/email]
Zonda provides an AR email and a payment portal for invoice payments — using that contact will usually get a response from their billing team.
Read Also- Zoom.us Charge on Credit Card
FAQ
Is Zonda Media a scam?
No—Zonda is a legitimate U.S. publisher and housing-market data company. Seeing the name on your statement does not automatically mean fraud. But if you didn’t authorize the charge, treat it as suspicious and follow the dispute steps above.
What if Zonda says the charge is valid but I still don’t recognize it?
Ask for the full invoice and purchase contact details. If the merchant provides proof and you still disagree, you can still pursue a dispute with your card issuer — they’ll evaluate whether the charge was authorized.
How long does a dispute take?
Timelines vary by issuer — many investigations resolve in 30–90 days. Your card issuer must tell you expected timelines and whether you’ll get a provisional credit. Always get confirmations in writing.
Should I file a police report?
Only for large losses or identity theft. Start with your card issuer and the merchant; escalate to local law enforcement or the FTC if you detect broader identity theft.
Bottom line
A “Zonda Media” charge is most often a legitimate billing descriptor for a real publisher that accepts online payments, but you should not ignore it — verify receipts and invoices, contact the merchant for details, and immediately contact your card issuer if you can’t match the charge to an authorized purchase. Acting quickly protects your wallet and your credit.
If you want, I can:
- Draft a dispute letter tailored to the exact transaction line on your statement, or
- Help you draft the message to send to Zonda’s billing email (AR-Media@zondahome.com) with the precise details to speed up their response.
Emma Rose is a U.S.-based personal finance writer and a regular contributor at Cardix.us. She focuses on topics like credit cards, credit scores, and everyday money management. Emma’s writing makes complex financial concepts simple and practical, helping readers make smarter credit and spending decisions with confidence.
