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Money Recovery Hub

Pending, disputed, delayed — what usually happens

Plain-English context on how UK payments behave. This isn't advice — it's what tends to happen, plus the right thing to ask your bank.

Pending payments

A payment shows as 'pending' when the merchant has authorised the card but not yet settled the charge.

Authorisations typically drop off in 1–7 days if not settled. The funds aren't gone — they're earmarked.

What usually happens next
  1. 1.Merchant settles or releases the auth (usually within a week)
  2. 2.If released, the balance returns automatically
  3. 3.If duplicated, the second auth normally falls off on its own
Ask your bank: when will this pending authorisation expire if it isn't settled?

Real-world examples

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A note on tone
Ghostquid isn't FCA authorised and doesn't give financial or legal advice. We describe common UK banking behaviour and the right questions to ask. The final call — and any decision — sits with you and your bank. Why we do this
Always confirm specifics with your bank.