Originally Posted by Rand

This is not an ePassporte issue. Every Visa and MasterCard allows pre-auth's (which are actually authorizations that are not settled). This happens to you all the time on every card you have. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to use a card to rent a car, dine in a restaurant, or get a hotel room.

The difference is with a "credit card" the auth amount doesn't usually put you over your credit limit so you don't notice it. That's why a lot of rental places won't let you use a "debit card" to secure a rental item (such as the place where I rent my cameras). With a pre-paid card your actual funds get tied up until the auth can be released.

ePassporte didn't invent this procedure. There is nothing eP can do to fix it. Had the merchant approved your purchase this wouldn't be an issue. ePassporte will do whatever we can to free up your funds, but they do need the merchant who secured them to inform them in writing that they do not intend to settle the transaction.

Resend your FAX to me and I'll take care of it. 310-827-5519 -- ATTN RAND / EPASSPORTE