The gas pump checked my square card for $60 and i only got $9 in gas. Can i get this removed? (2024)

FAQs

What happens if your card declines at a gas station? ›

If the debit card is attached to an account that does not have sufficient funds, and if there is no overdraft protection on the card, the transaction will simply be declined and the gas pump will not release any gas.

For debit card users, even when they are using the card like a credit card, they must still have that amount in the bank account.

Since pumping gas is an open-end purchase, gas stations will typically pre-authorize your payment card for a larger amount to ensure that your card has enough funds to cover the amount of gas you'll leave with. This pre-authorization is typically $100.

If you prepay too much for gas with a credit card, you will only be charged for the purchase amount and the remainder of the prepaid amount will not be charged to your card. The gas pump will stop when you reach the prepaid amount or when the tank is full.

There are several reasons why a debit card may be declined even if you have money in your account. Common reasons include travel and reaching your daily purchase limit. Stay on top of your cards and consider using budgeting apps to help avoid debit card denial.

Having insufficient funds is the most obvious reason behind a card decline. Some checking accounts offer overdraft protection to help you pay for a purchase even when you have insufficient funds. The option is usually unavailable beyond a limit or for multiple transactions within 24 hours.

What's more, overdraft fees may add up with each purchase, putting you further in the red. For example, if you have $10 in your bank but buy a $20 meal, you'll owe an overdraft fee for that meal purchase. Purchase gas for your car, and you may incur an additional overdraft fee for the fuel purchase.

Gas stations can take between 2 hours and 3 days to charge your credit or debit card when you pay at the pump. The gas station may place a temporary hold on your card for up to $175 until the final purchase amount is charged to your account.

Answer. Fuel stations commonly place a pre-authorization hold on the card to ensure that there are enough funds available in the account to cover the cost of the fuel being purchased. The amount of the hold can vary depending on the gas station's policies, but $500 is a common pre-authorization amount at some stations.

Reportedly, it can take as long as a week before the hold is released. If you pay at the pump, there is likely to be a hold of up to $100. If you don't have a credit card to pay with, then it's a good idea to pay inside with your estimate of how much gas you need.

Why does the gas pump take all my money? ›

It's known as a “pre-authorization hold.” It's perfectly legal, and many gas stations do it these days to make sure you have enough money on your debit card to pay for your fill up.

How long will the money be held for? Once the transaction is complete and you've finished filling up your car, your card issuer should release any unused money almost immediately.

However, being declined does not necessarily mean there isn't enough money in your account to cover your purchase, or that you won't be able to fuel up at the station where you've been declined. While each possible cause is frustrating, most issues can be resolved by paying inside the store instead of at the pump.

The gas station charged you $100 on your credit card likely because you paid for the gas at the pump. When doing so, gas stations place a temporary hold on your card, to ensure that you have enough funds to cover the purchase.

Pre-authorization holds can frustrate consumers who rely on their debit cards for day-to-day transactions, because the hold can tie up funds, and unsuspecting consumers may have other transactions declined until those funds are released. The charge can remain on your account for one to seven business days.

Your card provider may call or text you to ask for purchase approval. If your card issuer does not contact you, calling customer service may allow you to resolve the issue immediately by verifying your identity and intention to make the flagged purchase.