Credit Cards FAQ
I just experienced blocking after using my credit card at a gas station. Can they do this?
Blocking is perfectly legal when you pay for gas but it is also a real annoyance. When it comes to holding your funds, gas stations take the cake.
Holds at self-service gas stations can be especially troublesome for debit card users, since they are not removed for up to three business days, until the gas station carries out a “batch” transaction that gives the bank the actual amount. According to the spokesman for the Consumer Action activist organization, oil companies are allowed to vary the hold amount, from $1 to $100.