What should I do if my payment failed but a charge appears on my account?
When a payment transaction fails but you notice a charge on your account, it can be frustrating and confusing. This article explains the potential reasons for this and provides steps you can follow to resolve the issue effectively.
Understanding Failed Transactions and Account Charges
Pending Authorizations vs. Completed Transactions
Pending Authorizations: These are temporary holds placed by your bank to verify availability of funds. They are not actual charges but appear on your bank statement until either released or posted as a completed transaction. If a payment fails, the authorization is automatically reverted by your bank within a few business days. No direct action is typically required on your part.
Completed Transactions: If you see charges marked as "paid" or "posted," this generally means the payment was successfully processed. However, mistakes can happen, and errors should be addressed with your bank.
Common Reasons for Failed Payments
Bank Declines: Most failures occur because the issuing bank declines the transaction for reasons such as exceeding daily limits, fraud checks, or missing verifications. Verify with your bank why the transaction was declined and resolve the issue before retrying. You can often attempt the purchase again using a different payment method.
Local Payment Restrictions: Nomad does not process payments initiated in India, China, or UAE due to local policies. To proceed, you can have someone outside these regions complete the purchase on your behalf.
Repeated Failed Attempts: Trying multiple cards after a decline may lead to temporary account locks to prevent fraud risks. In such cases, wait 24 hours before retrying with your preferred payment method or contact customer support.
How to Handle Pending or Duplicate Charges
Steps to Resolve Pending Charges
Verify with your bank whether the charge is a pending authorization or a completed transaction. Pending authorizations usually drop off automatically without requiring intervention.
If the charge does not reverse after the usual timeframe, contact your bank to confirm the status and escalate the issue if needed.
Duplicate Charges
In most cases, duplicate charges on your statement are pending authorizations rather than additional payments. These pending charges align with your bank’s policies for verifying funds and will be released automatically. If a pending charge persists while a posted charge appears, escalate the issue with your bank.
FAQs
Why haven’t I received a confirmation email for my purchase?
If a confirmation email is not received, the payment likely did not complete successfully. Wait until the payment is fully processed. If delays persist, contact your bank to investigate any issues with processing from their end.
What should I do if I’m unable to purchase within a restricted region?
Nomad cannot process payments from certain regions (India, China, UAE). Have someone outside these areas assist with the purchase. Once completed, you can activate and use your plan in your target destination country.
Do I need to take action to resolve failed charges?
No direct action is usually needed as pending charges are cleared automatically by banks. However, verifying the status with your bank can provide clarity and ensure issues are promptly resolved.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively identify and resolve issues surrounding failed payments and ensure a smooth purchasing experience.