What would this be on bank account?

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

My balance was £631 after all my bills, but for the last two days my available balance has been £408 implying something for £223 was about to come out. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what it was. We had made a few large purchases but I checked and these were all accounted for. I couldn’t do anything until it showed up on my statement so I’ve been checking almost hourly! Then randomly this evening it went back up to £631.

What would cause this to happen? Is there anyway of finding out who/what this was?

Did you pay in a cheque that hadn't cleared or have some kind of online shopping payment approval amount on hold thing

This happened to me recently although payment was still pending. I rang my bank and it was fraudulent activity. They had blocked a £3k transaction the same day. Maybe your bank held it pending investigation and then blocked it?

No cheques (I only pay for dds swimming by cheque and that has already cleared) and no other online shopping.

The fraud thing is something I hadn’t considered. Is it worth phoning the bank or is it safe to leave it?

You haven't bought petrol at a pay at pump have you?

No that’s what dh asked- last time I got fuel was 16th April.

I’m so baffled. And concerned.

Of course you can phone and ask, just do it to put your mind at rest, why wouldn't you?

I meant more would there be anything they could tell me? They might not be able to see what it was. Especially since it’s dropped off now. I just wondered if anyone knew how much info they have for this type of thing.

It could have been a mix of debit card transactions you had made where the earmark put on at the time of the purchase hadn't dropped off when the payment came out the accout

The bank staff will be able to see a lot more on their system than you can on your online banking statement.
Give them a call and see what they say.

Personally i would be tempted to get them to put a soft lock on the account just in case it was some kind of fraudulent test activity.

I'd ring the bank. They are usually available up to 8pm

If you click on the amount it should come up with what the transaction was for, mine does anyway

Thanks I think I’ll call them tomorrow

A bank should be able to tell you who requested that payment.

@Sugarhunnyicedtea what's the issue with buying petrol at the pay pump please ? DH and I usually do that.

I think it’s that they ringfence money so the payment is guaranteed and then release it again when they’ve received payment for the amount you’ve bought.

Oh ok , thanks

If the earmark is no longer showing then I don't think the bank will be able to give you any more info. The £223 figure could have been made up of several smaller transactions. I would guess that there was a delay in the earmarks dropping back off the account when the payments came out