You got the refund confirmation.
The status says “Refund complete.”
But your card balance didn’t change.
Your bank account shows nothing.
It looks like the refund never happened.
In most cases, the refund is real — but it hasn’t reached your bank yet.
“Complete” often means the merchant finished processing, not that the bank posted the money.
Why a Refund Can Show “Complete” But Not Arrive
- Card refunds post as a reversal (not a new deposit) and can appear in a different section
- Bank processing time varies by issuer and payment network
- Pending authorization can disappear without a visible “refund” line
- Partial capture or split payments can delay final settlement
- Cross-border payments can take longer to clear
Refund speed depends more on the card issuer than the service you paid.
First: Confirm You’re Checking the Right Place
- Check the original payment method (same card / same bank account)
- Look for a negative line item, “reversal,” or “credit” (not a normal deposit)
- Check the statement date range around the purchase date
- If you used a digital wallet, check the wallet’s funding source
If the charge was only an authorization, it may simply drop off instead of showing a refund.
How Long Refunds Usually Take
- Card refunds: typically 3–10 business days (issuer-dependent)
- Bank transfers: commonly 1–7 business days
- International / currency conversion: can take longer
If your refund was completed “today,” it may not appear until the next bank posting cycle.
What to Do If Nothing Shows Up
- Wait until the expected window ends (especially weekends/holidays)
- Ask support for a refund reference / ARN / trace ID (for card refunds)
- Contact your card issuer and provide the trace details
- Do not repurchase or submit duplicate refund requests during review
Important: A trace ID helps the bank locate the refund even if it’s not visible in your app yet.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Assuming “complete” means “already deposited”
- Checking a different card/account than the original payment source
- Filing chargebacks too early without confirming bank posting time
If the refund is truly processed, your bank can confirm it using the refund trace information.