Tech SG is a charge from the Singapore government's tech skills programme
Tech SG appears on your credit card statement when you have paid a course fee or registration cost through Singapore's Tech SG programme, which offers subsidised training in technology skills. The charge itself is legitimate — it comes from the government agency or approved training provider running the course you enrolled in. If you do not recognise the charge, it may be from a course someone else registered using your card, or from a course you signed up for but forgot about.
The amount varies depending on which course you took and how much of the subsidy you were may have access to to. Some courses are heavily subsidised for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, so your out-of-pocket cost may be much lower than the full course price. Others charge a flat registration or materials fee regardless of subsidy level.
Key Takeaways
- Tech SG charges come from government-funded technology training courses you or someone with access to your card enrolled in.
- The amount you pay depends on the specific course and your subsidy may be able to access, which is determined at registration.
- You can check which course generated the charge by logging into your Tech SG account or contacting the training provider directly.
- If you did not authorise the charge, contact your card issuer when ready to report unauthorised use.
- Refund requests must usually go through the training provider or Tech SG, not your bank, unless the charge was fraudulent.
How to identify which course created the charge
Log into your Tech SG account at www.techsg.gov.sg using your SingPass credentials. Once logged in, go to "My Courses" or "My Enrolments" to see a list of all courses you have registered for, along with the dates and fees. Match the charge amount and date on your credit card statement to the course listed in your account.
If you cannot access your Tech SG account or do not remember your login details, you can contact the training provider directly. The provider's name and contact details should appear on your credit card statement next to the Tech SG charge, or you can search for the course name on the Tech SG website to find the provider's phone number and email.
What to do if you do not recognise the charge
First, check whether anyone else with access to your card — a family member, spouse, or housemate — may have registered for a course using your payment details. Ask them directly before taking further steps.
If no one you know made the purchase, contact your credit card issuer's fraud team when ready. Provide them with the charge date, amount, and the merchant name (Tech SG or the training provider name). Your bank can freeze the transaction and investigate whether it was unauthorised. Do not contact Tech SG or the training provider first in this case — your bank needs to open the dispute.
If the charge is confirmed as fraudulent, your card issuer will typically issue a chargeback and send you a replacement card. Keep the case reference number from your bank for your records.
How refunds work if you want to cancel a course
Refund policies are set by the individual training provider, not by Tech SG itself. Most providers allow cancellation within a set window — often 7 to 14 days from the course start date — but some have stricter policies. Log into your Tech SG account and look for the course details page, which should list the provider's cancellation and refund terms.
To request a refund, contact the training provider directly using the contact details on your course confirmation email or the Tech SG website. Provide your course name, enrolment date, and the reason for cancellation. The provider will process the refund to the original payment method (your credit card) within their stated timeframe, which is usually 5 to 10 business days.
Do not ask your credit card issuer to reverse the charge unless the provider refuses to refund you after the cancellation window has closed. If that happens, you can then ask your bank to investigate.
Understanding subsidy amounts and what you actually pay
Tech SG courses are subsidised for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, but the subsidy amount depends on your profile and the course level. Some courses are heavily subsidised (you pay 25% or less of the full price), while others have a smaller subsidy or a flat fee regardless of your income.
When you enrol, the system calculates your subsidy based on your employment status, income, and the course category. The amount shown at checkout is what you actually pay — the subsidy is deducted before that figure. If you are unsure whether you received the correct subsidy, check your course confirmation email, which should show the full course price and the subsidy amount applied.
If you believe the subsidy was calculated incorrectly, contact the training provider with proof of your income or employment status. They can review your case and adjust the charge if needed.
Disputing a charge with your credit card issuer
Contact your card issuer's customer service line — the number is on the back of your card or in your online banking portal. Tell them you want to dispute a specific charge and provide the transaction date, amount, and merchant name. Your bank will ask whether the charge was unauthorised (someone else used your card) or whether there is a billing error (you were charged the wrong amount).
For unauthorised charges, your bank will open a fraud investigation and typically refund the amount within 5 to 10 business days while they investigate. For billing errors, they will contact the merchant (the training provider) to verify the charge. This process usually takes 30 to 60 days.
Keep all documentation: your credit card statement, course confirmation emails, and any correspondence with the training provider. Your bank may ask for these to support your dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I completed the course but did not find it useful?
Most training providers do not offer refunds after the course has started or been completed. Refunds are usually only available if you cancel within a short window before the course begins. Check your course confirmation email for the provider's refund policy, or contact them directly to ask whether exceptions are made.
Why does my statement show a different amount than what I expected to pay?
The charge may include a materials fee, registration fee, or GST that was not clearly itemised at checkout. Log into your Tech SG account to see the full breakdown of what you were charged for. If the amount still does not match, contact the training provider with your order confirmation number.
Can I transfer a Tech SG course to someone else if I cannot attend?
Most providers do not allow course transfers to another person. Your options are usually to cancel and request a refund (if within the cancellation window) or to forfeit the fee. Contact the training provider directly to ask whether they make exceptions for medical or emergency reasons.
How long does it take for a refund to appear back on my credit card?
Once the training provider processes the refund, it typically takes 5 to 10 business days for the amount to appear back on your card. The exact timeline depends on your bank's processing speed. If more than 10 business days have passed, contact the provider to confirm the refund was sent, then contact your bank if it still has not arrived.
What if the Tech SG charge is from a course I never signed up for?
Contact your credit card issuer when ready to report the charge as unauthorised. They will investigate and likely refund you. Then change your SingPass password and check your Tech SG account to see whether anyone else has enrolled in courses using your credentials. If your account has been compromised, contact the Tech SG support team to find it.