cancelling pending transaction fb marketplace

[u/Quick-Card9722]

So today I made a series of dumb decisions while “trying” to buy something on Facebook Marketplace from a sketchy account. I was trying to buy a PC component that was worth around $400, even though it normally sells for $1,000+. (Yes, I know it was way too good to be true, and I know it’s my fault. Please, I’m already getting an earful from my mom about it :/.)

The payment initially didn’t go through and was declined about four times (yes, I typed it in four times 😭). After the final decline, I finally came to my senses and realized it was probably too good to be true. At first, I thought, “No harm, no foul,” since the payment had been declined.

It wasn’t until I checked my messages that I saw a text from Bank of America saying that someone was trying to use my debit card. The message had the fraudulent transaction alert on it, and I ended up hitting “Verify” through the app because I thought the payment hadn’t gone through anyway.

Now the transaction is showing as processing, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. I checked Facebook Marketplace, but I don’t have any pending orders, so there’s no option for me to cancel it there.

I asked my mom what I should do, and she told me that I could get it sorted out at the bank. However, after reading a few threads online, it seems like the bank might not be able to do anything about it since I technically verified the transaction.

I also looked into closing my account, but apparently I can’t just close it while the transaction is still processing.

Is there anything I can do at this point? I know I messed up, so please be nice 😭

EDIT:So I had no money deducted from my account. Is that a good thing? I saw that the charges had a temporary authorization, which I understand is supposed to temporarily hold the $400 until the merchant completes the transaction. Does this mean the payment didn’t go through?

If so, why does my transaction history only show the money being returned 3 times instead of 4, considering I attempted the payment 4 times?

[u/Infinite-Grade-4485]

Responding yes to the text does not make a charge go through. Responding yes or no strictly unblocks or keeps your card locked. If you got a decline every time you did it, no charge went through. The pending charge will fall off in the coming days.

[u/Quick-Card9722 → u/Infinite-Grade-4485]

You gave me hope🙏🙏 ill still go to the bank tomorrow to ask about it but is having the money still in my account a good sign?

[u/Infinite-Grade-4485 → u/Quick-Card9722]

There’s nothing going to the bank will resolve or help you. They can’t see anything different than what you see. You’ll have to wait a few days to see what happens with the charge. If you did not receive a confirmation of purchase/sending funds, no money actually left. It’ll be credited back in the coming days.

[u/Quick-Card9722 → u/Infinite-Grade-4485]

If there were no confirmation of sending money what will be credited back to me?

[u/Infinite-Grade-4485 → u/Quick-Card9722]

Yes. The pending charge will disappear.

[u/Trick_Sector5900 → u/Quick-Card9722]

So your bank initially flagged the transactions as being suspicious/possibly fraudulent. They notified you and requested you verified that each attempted transaction was authorized. After that banks may or may not re-process any or all of those transactions. Most do not. You can contact the fraud prevention department of your bank 24/7 and request that they decline a specific charge or charges now, but if the transaction has already been processed successfully, you're going to have to see what they suggest for you to do from there.

[u/Infinite-Grade-4485 → u/Trick_Sector5900]

Banks do NOT reprocess transactions. Responding yes or no simply unblocks the card. Stop spreading misinformation.

[u/Trick_Sector5900 → u/Infinite-Grade-4485]

You're correct. What I meant to say was that if the merchant attempts to submit the same charge the bank may approve the charge after the account holder has verified that the charge was authorized. But usually the cardholder has to go through the entire payment process again.

[u/ataraxia_555 → u/Trick_Sector5900]

Useful

[u/BoudiccaAoife]

Did you click on a link and go to a storefront? Have you checked your email for anything about an order? You may have to manually dig for it.

As it was authorized, you may have to attempt a merchant dispute after the transaction posts, and if nothing arrives or if the wrong thing/ broken thing/ misrepresented thing arrives. With merchant disputes, you don't receive provisional credit during the dispute phase, it can take up to 120 days, and you only get your funds back if the dispute goes in your favor.

Once the transaction is pending, the only party that may cancel is the vendor.

You are correct that it is difficult since you did authorize the transaction. You may ultimately need to file a police report, as this isn't necessarily fraud, but a scam.

[u/zzzorba]

Call your bank and explain you got confused and clicked verify but now you want to block the charge.

[u/Infinite-Grade-4485 → u/zzzorba]

That’s not how fraud alerts work. Banks also can’t just “cancel or reverse” a charge.

[u/zzzorba → u/Infinite-Grade-4485]

Sure they can, it's called a dispute. They might need to let the pending charge settle first though.

[u/Infinite-Grade-4485 → u/zzzorba]

Completely different than canceling a charge. You can’t just dispute anything for any reason. Has to be posted. Needs to be an issue that’s chargebackable. Just saying “I didn’t mean to make this” isn’t a valid reason.

You’re spreading bad info.

[u/zzzorba → u/Infinite-Grade-4485]

OP believes they got scammed. They did not receive the product they were trying to purchase. Why wouldn't they charge that back?

[u/sevensantana7]

Turn your card off. Block it. You can try disputing the charges with card service.

[u/sheiciebai → u/sevensantana7]

Exactly this. Likely they won’t get their money back, and sadly the bank may put some restrictions on his acct as their going to be considered a risk.