You paid.
Your card was charged.
The balance dropped instantly.
But the service says otherwise.
“Payment not completed.”
“Transaction pending.”
Or no payment record at all.
This happens when authorization succeeds — but capture fails.
Why You’re Charged Without Completion
- Your bank approved the transaction
- The merchant hasn’t captured the funds yet
- The payment processor failed to confirm settlement
- A server or network interruption broke the final step
The money looks gone — but it’s still in limbo.
Authorization vs. Capture — The Critical Difference
- Authorization: Funds are reserved or held
- Capture: Funds are officially collected
- Services activate only after capture
- Failed capture = no payment record inside the platform
How to Verify the Situation
- Check if the charge is marked “Pending”
- Review billing history in your account
- Look for a receipt or invoice email
- Confirm the transaction ID with support
If the platform shows nothing, capture likely failed.
What Happens to the Money
- Pending authorizations usually settle in 1–5 business days
- If capture never occurs, the hold is released
- Your balance returns automatically
- This is not a refund — it’s a reversal
Do not retry payment until the pending charge clears.
Retrying early can cause duplicate billing.