What is a debit card hold?
In a typical debit card transaction, the merchant obtains an authorization for the transaction amount which initiates a hold on corresponding funds in your checking account. Some merchants, such as gas stations or hotels, may place a hold on your account greater than the actual purchase. These holds can affect the available balance in your account.
How to avoid merchant hold issues:
- Use PIN based transactions when you can - they don’t require a hold. Transactions run through without using your PIN can result in a hold for up to two business days or when the transaction clears.
- Consider using your Columbia Visa® credit card instead of a debit card for transactions that incur holds, typically for more than your purchase, such as hotel and car rental reservations or gas stations.
- Ask the merchant if they place holds and how much it will be.
- Monitor your account regularly to detect merchant holds early.
- Sign up for Columbia overdraft protection to avoid overdraft fees from merchant holds.
» Debit Card Authorization Q & A
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