Understanding Credit Card Holds on ZEF Chargers

When using ZEF Energy’s EV charging services, you might notice a pre-authorization hold on your credit card. This guide will explain what a pre-authorization hold is, why it is used, and how it affects your account.

What is a Pre-Authorization Hold?
A pre-authorization hold is a temporary hold placed on a specific amount of funds on your credit card. This is not a charge but a reservation of funds to ensure that you have sufficient balance to cover the cost of the service you are about to use. Pre-auth holds are commonplace at gas stations, and may appear on credit card statements as pictured below (the 'Shell Oil' charge of $200 shows a pre-auth fee that will eventually be replaced with the actual value):

Why Does ZEF Energy Use Pre-Authorization Holds?
ZEF Energy uses pre-authorization holds for several reasons:

• Payment Assurance: It ensures that your credit card has sufficient funds to cover the estimated cost of the EV charging session.
• Preventing Fraud: It helps in verifying the validity of the credit card and reduces the risk of fraudulent transactions.
• Transaction Efficiency: It streamlines the payment process by securing the necessary funds before the service is used.

How Does the Pre-Authorization Hold Work?
When you initiate a charging session, ZEF Energy will place a hold on your credit card for a predetermined amount. This amount is typically based on an estimate of the maximum possible cost for the session. Here’s a step-by-step outline of the process:

1. Initiation: You plug in your EV and start a charging session.
   Authorization: ZEF Energy requests a pre-authorization from your credit card issuer for a set amount.
2. Reservation: The specified amount is reserved on your card, reducing your available credit by that amount.
3. Completion: Once your charging session is complete, the actual cost is calculated.
4. Finalization: The pre-authorization hold is released, and the actual charge amount is posted to your account. If the actual charge is less than the hold amount, the difference is released back to your card.

Impact on Your Credit Card
Temporary Reduction in Available Credit: The pre-authorization hold temporarily reduces your available credit limit until it is released.
No Immediate Charge: The hold is not an actual charge but a pending transaction. The final amount charged will be the actual cost of the charging session.

When Will the Hold Be Released?
The duration of the hold depends on your credit card issuer’s policies, but typically, it lasts for a few days. Once ZEF Energy processes the actual charge, the hold is lifted, and any excess amount is released back to your available credit.

Common Questions
Q: What if the charging session costs less than the hold amount?
A: Only the actual cost of the session will be charged. The remaining amount from the hold will be released back to your available credit.

Q: Why is there still a hold on my card after the session?
A: Some credit card issuers may take longer to release the hold. If it persists beyond a reasonable time, you may contact your card issuer for further assistance.

Q: Can I see the hold on my credit card statement?
A: Yes, pre-authorization holds usually appear as pending transactions on your online credit card statement.

Understanding pre-authorization holds helps you manage your credit card and ensures you are prepared for how payments are processed when using ZEF Energy’s services. If you have any concerns or further questions, ZEF Energy’s support team is available to assist you - simply contact support@zefenergy.com, providing your name and the location and date/time of your session.