Seeing a “3161 Michelson Dr” charge on your credit card statement can be confusing, especially if you don’t recognize the payment. Many U.S. consumers search for this exact phrase because the transaction appears with only an address instead of a clear business name. This guide explains what the 3161 Michelson Dr charge means, why it shows up, and what steps you should take immediately to protect your account. Whether it’s legitimate or fraudulent, this article provides clear, expert financial guidance.
Quick Answer
The 3161 Michelson Dr charge is typically linked to businesses operating inside The Michelson, a commercial office tower in Irvine, California. In many cases, it’s associated with LA Fitness / Fitness International billing systems. However, unknown or unauthorized charges should always be treated seriously. If you don’t recognize the transaction, freeze your card and contact your bank immediately for dispute assistance.
What Is the 3161 Michelson Dr Charge on a Credit Card?
The 3161 Michelson Dr charge refers to a transaction where your credit card statement displays only an address, not a merchant name. This address belongs to The Michelson, a major office building in Irvine, California. Multiple companies operate inside this building, and some use it as their billing address.
A common connection reported by U.S. cardholders is LA Fitness / Fitness International, whose corporate operations or billing activities may be tied to this location. In such situations, the charge can appear on statements when a gym membership, renewal, or related service processes payment.
Other legitimate companies, subscription services, or third-party processors working from that same address may also trigger this entry. The lack of business name clarity often confuses users, but the address-only descriptor is generally a billing system choice rather than evidence of misconduct.
Is the 3161 Michelson Dr Charge Legit or Fraud?
Legit Reasons
Many U.S. consumers encounter this charge legitimately. Common causes include:
- An active LA Fitness membership renewal
- A previously saved card for fitness services
- Trial memberships converting into paid subscriptions
- Corporate services based in The Michelson building
- Third-party processors that use centralized billing addresses
If you’ve recently used a fitness facility, purchased a membership, or signed up for a trial, this charge could be authorized.
Fraud or Unauthorized Reasons
The 3161 Michelson Dr charge may be fraudulent if:
- You never joined LA Fitness or canceled long ago
- The amount does not match your known membership rate
- Multiple attempts appear in a short period
- A small “test transaction” precedes a larger charge
- The card was used online or stored with compromised merchants
USA consumers should be cautious. Unauthorized transactions require immediate reporting to your bank under FTC and CFPB guidelines, which protect your liability and support chargeback rights.
Quick Action Steps If This Charge Appears
- Freeze Your Card:- Use your banking app to instantly freeze the card. This prevents additional unauthorized activity.
- Contact Your Bank:- Call the number on the back of your card and say: ‘I see an unknown charge labeled 3161 Michelson Dr; I did not authorize this transaction and need to dispute it
- Speak Clearly With Customer Support:- Provide:
- Transaction date
- Amount
- Last 4 digits of your card
- Statement screenshot if available
- Ask the bank to check the merchant ID for clarity.
- Start the Dispute Process:- All U.S. banks follow protections similar to Regulation Z, giving consumers the ability to challenge unauthorized charges. Banks typically provide provisional credit while they investigate.
- Collect Supporting Information:- You may need:
- Email receipts
- Any past fitness memberships
- Cancellation confirmations
- Subscription histories
- Apple/Google purchase logs
- A well-documented dispute moves faster and increases the chance of full reimbursement.
How to Identify the Source of the Charge
Descriptor Analysis
Statement descriptors sometimes include extra codes like:
- 3161 MICHELSON DR IRVINE
- 3161 MICHELSON DR + random letters
- FI (which may represent Fitness International)
- These clues help identify the true merchant.
Email Receipt Search
Search your inbox for:
- “LA Fitness”
- “Fitness International”
- “Membership renewal”
- “Receipt”
- “Subscription”
Many users find forgotten auto-renewals this way.
Check Google Play / Apple App Store Subscriptions
Some mobile fitness apps or third-party services may indirectly route billing through corporate addresses. Reviewing your digital subscriptions can reveal unexpected recurring payments.
Ask Your Bank for Merchant ID
U.S. banks can pull detailed merchant information even when your statement only displays the address. Request the merchant ID, phone number, and processor name. This often clarifies whether the charge relates to fitness services or something else.
Real Example (USA Consumer Case)
A California user discovered a $29.99 recurring charge tied to 3161 Michelson Dr despite canceling an LA Fitness membership months earlier. The bank confirmed it was an outdated auto-renewal still processed via Fitness International. After a dispute and proof of cancellation, the user received a refund.
Companies/Services That May Use 3161 Michelson Dr
The charge commonly originates from businesses operating inside The Michelson, a 19-story commercial tower in Irvine. This building hosts corporate offices, fitness-industry headquarters, consulting firms, and billing departments.
Corporate Offices Inside The Michelson May Include:
- Fitness International, LLC (LA Fitness corporate)
- Business service providers
- Membership management firms
- Subscription-based service tenants
Why Multiple Businesses Show the Same Billing Address
Some organizations use shared office space or centralized billing systems. When transactions are processed, card statements sometimes reflect only the building’s address rather than the company name. This creates confusion for USA consumers but is not unusual.
Read Also:- VenuPlus Inc Credit Card Charge
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my statement only show the address instead of a business name?
Because some companies use centralized billing or corporate processors. When a merchant name isn’t passed through, the credit card statement displays the billing address instead.
Is the 3161 Michelson Dr charge related to LA Fitness?
Often yes, as Fitness International maintains administrative operations linked to this location. However, not all charges from this address originate from LA Fitness.
Should I cancel my credit card after seeing this charge?
If the charge is unfamiliar, freeze your card immediately. If the bank confirms fraud, request a replacement card for safety.
How long does a credit card dispute take in the USA?
Most disputes take 7–10 business days for provisional credit, but full investigations may take up to 45–60 days depending on your bank.
Conclusion
The 3161 Michelson Dr charge may come from legitimate services, especially fitness-related memberships, but it can also signal unauthorized activity. If you recognize the payment, verify it through past subscriptions or memberships. If you don’t, act quickly by freezing your card, contacting your bank, and filing a dispute. U.S. consumer protection rules are strong, and taking fast action ensures your financial safety. When in doubt, always treat unknown charges seriously.
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.
