> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payreque.st/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Security Deposits for Customers > Understand a pending card hold, check whether a deposit was released, and know who to contact if the bank still shows it. A security deposit is a temporary **reservation** on your card. It reduces the amount you can spend or your available credit while it is active. The business can release it or charge an amount under the terms you agreed to. A **£250 reservation** is different from a **£250 completed charge**. Your banking app may show both with similar wording. Stripe also notes that some bank interfaces do not clearly distinguish an authorization from a settled payment. See [Stripe's explanation](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/place-a-hold-on-a-payment-method#capture-the-funds). ## Authorize a deposit 1. Open the deposit link sent by the business. 2. Check the business, deposit amount, currency, booking reference and instructions. 3. Follow the authorization button and complete any card or bank verification. 4. Return to the deposit page and keep its link and any confirmation email. Opening a link alone does not reserve funds. If the page is still processing or the result is unclear, check the existing attempt with the business before authorizing again. > [!WARNING] > > Do not use another link, card or repeated authorization to resolve an uncertain result. Ask the business to verify whether a reservation already exists first. ## What the status means The wording may vary between deposit pages and payment providers. | Status | Meaning and next step | | - | - | | **Waiting / awaiting authorization** | No successful reservation has been confirmed on this request. If you already completed verification or see a bank entry, ask the business to check before trying again. | | **Processing** | The provider has not finished confirming the result. Wait or contact the business; do not start a second authorization. | | **Hold active / authorized / funds reserved** | Funds are reserved. The business must release them or charge an agreed amount before the authorization ends. | | **Captured / charged** | An amount has been collected from the deposit. Check the actual charged amount; it can be less than the original reservation. | | **Released** | The remaining reservation has been released at the provider. Your bank may still need time to update its display and available balance. | | **Expired** | Check whether this refers to an unused checkout attempt or an actual card hold. An expired checkout does not prove that no other reservation exists. Ask the business if your bank still shows one. | Use your **original deposit link** to check the request. Some links open a dedicated status page; others show status on the original authorization page. You do not need to find the deposit in a shop invoice list. ## After the business releases the hold A release tells the payment provider to cancel the remaining reservation. The bank controls when the pending entry disappears and your available balance or credit updates. This may take several days; there is no single guaranteed timeframe for every bank or card. Because the money was reserved rather than collected, you may **not** see a separate incoming refund. The original pending entry may simply disappear or change status. For tracked deposits with your email address, PayRequest sends confirmations after a confirmed reservation, charge or release. Check your spam folder if one is missing. A missing email alone does not tell you whether funds are held: ask the business to verify the provider result. > [!TIP] > > If the business confirms release but your bank still shows the hold, ask for the release date and time and the payment reference. Your card issuer can use these details to investigate the pending entry. ## If part of the deposit is charged For the current Stripe deposit flow, the business makes one final full or partial capture. For example: | Original reservation | Amount charged | Remaining reservation released | | - | - | - | | £250 | £40 | £210 | The bank may take time to update the original pending amount. Releasing the unused part does **not** refund the £40 already charged. If you dispute a charge or want a refund, ask the business to review it separately. Other payment providers may handle partial capture differently. ## If you see two reservations Do not assume that two entries are normal bank processing, or that one must be a duplicate. Ask the business to check the exact authorizations and compare their amounts, currencies, dates, references and card last four digits. Share a cropped screenshot showing the relevant entries and whether each says **pending** or **completed**. Hide unrelated transactions, your balance and full card or account details. Never send your card security code or login verification codes. ## Who can release my deposit? The **business that requested the deposit** controls its release or charge. Use its contact details, reply to its deposit confirmation or open **Support** in its customer account area where available. If you cannot reach the business or a PayRequest page is not working, contact [support@payrequest.io](mailto:support@payrequest.io) with the business name, booking reference and a description. Support can help investigate the platform issue; a support message itself does not release funds or approve a refund. [What to include when asking for help](/customer-guide/getting-help) This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.