Is it possible to cancel a pending transaction?

Asked by: Declan Bins  |  Last update: October 24, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (35 votes)

To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.

How can I cancel a pending transaction?

A pending transaction will affect the amount of credit or funds you have available, effectively deducting money from your account. Canceling a pending transaction usually requires contacting the merchant who made the charge. Once a pending transaction has posted, contact your bank or card issuer to dispute it.

Can a pending transaction be dropped?

They show up almost immediately after a purchase is made, but they haven't fully "posted" to your account until the merchant processes them on their end. For this reason, pending transactions can change or even be removed before they post, depending on how the merchant handles the final billing.

Can I tell my bank to stop a pending transaction?

Contact the merchant or business you paid and ask them to cancel the transaction. Pending transactions cannot be stopped by the issuing bank (payment method) because there is no charge to cancel. Only the merchant can stop a pending charge.

Can a transaction be reversed while pending?

An authorization reversal is the process of canceling a pending transaction before it finalizes into a post. The business sends a reversal request to the issuer (customer's bank) via their acquiring bank, and the issuer then releases the hold on the funds, making them available again in the customer's account.

Can I stop a pending transaction?

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Can I tell my bank to block a transaction?

To stop payment, you need to notify your bank at least three business days before the transaction is scheduled to be made and your bank may charge a fee. The notice to stop the transaction may be made orally or in writing. A bank can require written confirmation of an oral stop payment request.

Will a pending transaction be refunded?

Canceling a pending transaction isn't guaranteed. But if it's a pending purchase, you could ask the merchant to cancel the transaction. They may be able to cancel the order or offer a refund or store credit if they can't cancel it.

Why can't you stop a pending transaction?

It can be difficult to cancel a pending transaction once it's listed in your account summary​. That's because both you and your bank have approved the payment. And you may have received the goods or services already. You might be able to contact the retailer and chat through potential options.

Can a bank reverse a payment after it has posted?

Yes, in some cases a bank can reverse a payment after it has been posted. This typically occurs when there is evidence of fraudulent activity, unauthorized transactions, or if the payment violates the bank's policies or legal regulations.

Does a pending transaction mean it went through?

2. What's a pending transaction? Pending transactions are transactions that haven't been fully processed yet. For example, if you make a purchase with a debit card or credit card, it will almost always show as pending immediately when you view your account online or in a mobile banking app.

How long can a transaction sit in pending for?

A pending transaction is a recent authorised card transaction that is waiting to be processed by the merchant and can take up to 28 days but normally takes 2/3 days to clear onto your balance.

Can a pending transaction be voided?

The only stipulations are that the transaction can only be voided after it has been authorized, but before it reaches the settlement process. Once the transaction has been settled, the only course of action is issuing a refund.

Can you cancel a bank transfer once sent?

Can I reverse a bank transfer - or can my bank? Online payments, like Faster Payments, transfer money in real-time. Once a payment has been made, you can't stop or reverse it. You have to go through the process of trying to get the money back from the recipient and rely on their cooperation.

Can pending transactions be withdrawn?

You may be able to cancel a pending credit card purchase by asking the merchant to cancel the sale. (Banks and credit card issuers typically cannot cancel pending debit or credit card transactions.) You'll have a better chance of getting a pending charge canceled if: You request cancellation right away.

How do you resolve a pending transaction?

If you encounter issues with pending transactions, here's how to address them:
  1. Contact the Merchant: For most issues, reaching out to the merchant is the first step. ...
  2. Bank Involvement: If the merchant can't resolve the issue, your bank or card issuer may be able to assist, especially if fraud is suspected.

Can I dispute a pending transaction?

Only posted transactions can be disputed (pending charges are temporary and may change). If you have any immediate concerns about a pending charge, contact the merchant directly. The merchant's contact information is typically found on your receipt or billing statement.

How long do you have to reverse a transaction?

Reversals are not guaranteed and are attempted on a best effort basis. Authority must be obtained from the recipient before a reversal can be attempted. A Reversal attempt is charged per transaction and is non-refundable. Reversals can only be attempted within 30 calendar days from the date that the payment was made.

Can you call your bank to reverse a transaction?

Payment reversal type 1: Authorization reversal

If you or your employees notice something incorrect after submitting the authorization request, you can call your bank to stop the transaction from occurring. This is known as an authorization reversal, and it's highly preferable over a future chargeback or refund.

How long does a bank have to reverse a transaction?

First, the reversal must be sent to the bank within 24 hours of noticing the error and no later than 5 banking days after settlement. Then the payment originator must also reach out to the payment recipient to inform them a reversal is in progress.

Can a bank reverse a pending transaction?

Typically you can't cancel a pending transaction. Even if it's fraudulent or the wrong amount, your bank usually needs the transaction to post before it can next steps. That doesn't mean it's impossible to cancel — you can contact the merchant if there is an error and they can usually reverse it.

Can I cancel a payment if it's pending?

To cancel a pending credit card transaction before it's complete, start by calling the merchant directly. Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you contact the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled.

Can you ask your bank to block a pending transaction?

So, can banks call off pending transactions? The answer is yes, but while merchants can give back a refund within a few days, banks may take several weeks to work through this operation.

Can I ask my bank to stop a payment?

Contact the bank to make a stop payment request: Follow your bank's policy to ensure you make the request prior to the date the payment is set to clear. 1 If your bank requires written notification, you may also need to provide that within 14 days of making a verbal request.

Are pending transactions final?

It's also common to see this when online shopping, as some merchants may hold off on processing the payment until your order has shipped, this includes international purchases too. Essentially, pending transactions mean the money has been committed to a specific purchase, but it's still moving between accounts.

How long does it take for a pending transaction to be cancelled?

Pending transactions are payments that would normally go into or out of your account within 7 days. When you use a debit card to pay for something, it reduces the available balance in your current account.