What Is the BP FDMS CAT Charge?
The BP FDMS CAT charge is a label that can appear on your credit card or bank statement after buying gas at a BP gas station. FDMS refers to Fuel Delivery Management Services, which handles payment processing for many BP gas stations.
The CAT part stands for Customer Activated Terminal, meaning you used the card at the pump instead of inside. In plain terms, this charge signals an automated payment at a BP pump, most often in the Chicago area but sometimes in other regions as well.
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Why Does the BP FDMS CAT Charge Appear on Statements?
This charge shows up on your statement when you use your credit or debit card to pay for gas at a BP station’s pump. The station’s payment system processes the sale through FDMS, creating a digital record with the description “BP FDMS CAT.”
This label helps the card networks and BP track which terminal and service were used for the transaction. In some cases, you might see it if you bought something inside the store but paid at a terminal attached to the pump area.
Gas purchases appear on statements in this form largely because modern pumps use automated terminals connected to secure payment processors. Using standardized codes helps the bank identify where and how your card was used.
Is the BP FDMS CAT Charge Legitimate?
Most BP FDMS CAT charges are legitimate and linked to an actual purchase you made at a BP pump. However, some people notice these charges even when they have not been to a BP station, or they see pending amounts that look suspicious.
While fraud is possible with any card usage, this description by itself is common and usually nothing to worry about if you did just purchase gas from BP.
If you do not recognize the charge, or if the amount appears incorrect, you should examine the date and compare it to your recent activities. If you did not buy gas on that date or in that area, reach out to your card issuer as soon as possible.
Common Scenarios and Statement Descriptions
The BP FDMS CAT charge shows up under different circumstances. The most common are:
- Buying gas at a BP station and paying at the pump with your card.
- Purchasing a car wash or convenience items at a terminal located in the pump area.
- Preauthorization holds that temporarily places a higher pending charge than your final fuel purchase amount.
Sometimes, the description will include the location or a code, like “BP FDMS CAT CHICAGO IL.” In other instances, only a shortened version or numeric code might show up.
Alternate Statement Names and Pending Charges
Depending on your card provider or the gas station’s setup, you might see similar statement descriptions like:
- BP FDMS
- BP FUEL PURCHASE
- BP CAT TERMINAL
- FDMS GAS STATION
It is also common for gas stations to “preauthorize” your card for a standard amount (often $50 or $100) when you begin fueling. This preauthorization appears as a pending charge and then drops off, to be replaced by the actual charge when the transaction completes.
Breakdown of BP FDMS CAT Charge Components
Each BP FDMS CAT transaction usually includes several behind-the-scenes components. Understanding these can help you make sense of your statement details.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Purchase Amount | The actual total of gas and other goods or services you buy at the pump terminal. |
| Processing Fee | Fees charged by the payment network for processing the transaction. Usually not visible to consumers, but some stations may pass along small fees for debit or credit card use. |
| Interchange Fee | A fee set by card networks and paid by the merchant to your bank. Again, this is not usually seen on your statement directly, but it is part of the background cost of the transaction. |
| Preauthorization Hold | A temporary hold is placed on your card for a standard amount to ensure payment, which is replaced by your real purchase total after fueling is complete. |
Processing Fees
Most consumers never see processing fees directly, as BP and similar businesses build these costs into their operations. Occasionally, very small stations may add a card usage fee or have a minimum purchase for credit card use, which could show up as a separate line item.
For the majority of BP FDMS CAT charges, the fee is part of the overall cost and not listed separately on your bill.
Interchange Fees
Interchange fees exist between the card network issuing the card and the gas station’s bank. These fees do not appear to consumers but help explain why merchants sometimes require minimum purchase amounts or set higher prices for card payments than cash.
They are a standard part of electronic payment processing and included in the transaction behind the scenes.
How to Verify and Manage BP FDMS CAT Charges?
Tracking your credit card or bank statement can seem challenging, but there are several ways to most effectively manage and verify these types of charges.
Checking for Legitimate Transactions
- Review the date and time of the charge. Could you have stopped at a BP station during that period?
- Check the transaction location, if available. If you remember traveling or commuting through that area, the charge is probably legitimate.
- Compare the transaction amount to your expected fuel purchase. If you only filled up partly, but a much larger amount is pending, it may be a hold that will correct itself within a day or two.
- Look for the final, settled amount in the following days. The pending charge should update to the correct total you spent.
Disputing Unauthorized Charges
- Contact your credit card company or bank as soon as you see a charge you do not recognize. The sooner you report it, the faster they can help.
- Explain that you do not recall making a purchase at a BP station on that date, time, or location.
- You may be asked to confirm recent transactions to verify that no other unusual activity occurred.
- If the company suspects fraud, it will likely freeze your card and issue a new one. You may need to fill out a short form to dispute the charge.
- The disputed amount is often credited back to your account while the investigation is pending, according to your provider’s policy.
Conclusion
In general, BP FDMS CAT charges are typical for transactions conducted at BP gas stations through their automated pump terminals. If you see a charge and recently used your card at a BP fuel pump, this line on your statement is probably exactly what you’d expect. However, always double-check for accuracy.
If the timing, location, or amount are not familiar, take it seriously and contact your card provider right away. Watch out for duplicate charges, unusually high holds that do not correct, or activity in areas you did not visit. Awareness and prompt attention help protect you from loss or fraud.
