Is R-A-T fraud?

This article and service are not officially affiliated with Read-A-Thon

The Guide to Understanding Why You Were Charged By “R-A-T” and What To Do About It (read-a-thon.com)

Bella Khan, Subscription Cancellation Expert

Published February 1, 2026

Last updated February 1, 2026

1 min read

What is "R-A-T"?

Read-A-Thon is a fun way for kids to read and get sponsored by family and friends. They offer subscriptions that help schools raise money through reading challenges, so you might see a bill from them if you've signed up for a reading event or are sponsoring someone. It's a great way to encourage reading while supporting schools!

R: This typically stands for the type of transaction, such as a "return" or "refund". In simple terms, it shows whether money is being returned to you.
A: This represents "account" or the account type involved in the transaction. It indicates which kind of account is being used, like checking or savings.
T: This usually stands for "transaction". It refers to the nature of the interaction, like a withdrawal or purchase you're making.

Verify With Receipt

The best way to tell if this charge is fraudulent is to find the receipt. You may have an electronic copy of the receipt, which Chargeback can help you find by searching your email accounts.

Chargeback helps you identify unwanted subscriptions and charges, and help you fight them to get your money back.

Why do people get charges like this from Read-A-Thon?

Subscription Fees: Some users have reported being charged for monthly subscriptions that were either signed up for intentionally or accidentally.
One-time Purchases: Customers have mentioned charges related to specific fundraising events or book purchases made through the site.
Old Accounts: Users might find charges from dormant accounts that were created in the past but not regularly monitored.
Auto-Renewal: There are complaints about automatic renewals of donations or materials that customers were unaware were set to auto-renew.
Donation Amounts: Some users have experienced unexpected charges related to donations made to various causes during the fundraising campaigns.
Incorrect Payment Information: A few users remarked that incorrect entry of payment details could lead to duplicate charges being processed.
Service Fees: Charges related to processing fees for transactions or donations that some users did not anticipate.
Trial Period Conversions: Customers have noted that free trials can automatically convert into paid subscriptions if not canceled in time.

If I see this charge, what should I do?

If you see this charge and aren’t expecting it, you have various options.

First, try to contact the read-a-thon.com via one of the support methods we listed below and inquire about the charge. See if they will refund it and cancel any associated subscriptions you might have.

If the read-a-thon.com refused to issue a refund or you cannot get in touch with the company, call your bank or financial institution and open a credit card dispute. Record screenshot evidence from your prior conversations with read-a-thon.com, and use that to open your credit card dispute. Tell your bank or credit card issuer that you do not recognize the charge and do not recall signing up for the service.

If this sounds like too much of a hassle, you can have Chargeback do it for you.

Read-A-Thon Customer Service Info

If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with Read-A-Thon's support team.

Phone

The phone is not available.

support@read-a-thon.com

Site

https://read-a-thon.com/contact/

Disclaimer

Chargeback is an independent consumer resource that provides educational information to help users understand how to cancel, manage, or request refunds for various subscriptions. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the companies mentioned on this site. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.

The information we provide is based on publicly available sources and user reports and may contain inaccuracies or become outdated over time. Our guides are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as official company instructions or legal advice.

Consumers are solely responsible for reviewing their own contracts, terms of service, and refund or cancellation obligations before taking any action. Nothing on this site should be interpreted as legal, financial, or contractual guidance.

Chargeback does not encourage or condone disputing valid charges, misrepresenting transactions, or taking any action that could violate a company’s terms, service agreement, or applicable laws. We promote fair, transparent, and lawful communication between consumers and businesses.

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What other ways do charges from Read-A-Thon show up?

READATHON READ A THON READATHON.COM READ A THON INC READ A THON DONATION READ A THON SUBSCRIPTION READ A THON CHARITY READ A THON EVENT READATHON CHARITY READATHON SUBSCRIPTION READATHON EVENT READATHON INC READATHON MERCHANDISE READATHON BOOKS READATHON DIGITAL READATHON ACCESS

The Easiest Way to Cancel Read-A-Thon

If you're frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from Read-A-Thon—or if you didn't even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we'll take care of the rest.