What Is the “Google Temporary Hold” Charge? (And How to Remove It)

You check your bank statement and see a mysterious pending transaction:

*GOOGLE TEMPORARY HOLD Amount: $0.00 or $1.00

You didn’t buy anything. You didn’t subscribe to anything. So why is Google charging you?

Do not panic. In 99% of cases, this is not a real charge. It is a security test.

However, if you see this charge repeatedly, or for a higher amount (like $10+), you might have a problem. Here is everything you need to know about the “Google Ghost Charge” and how to stop it.

1. Why Did This Charge Appear?

The “Temporary Hold” is a standard banking handshake. It happens when Google needs to verify that your card is valid and active, but doesn’t actually want to take your money.

It is usually triggered by one of these actions:

1. Adding a Card: You added a new credit/debit card to Google Pay or the Play Store.
2. Chrome Autofill: You used Google Chrome to “Autofill” your card details on a shopping site.
3. Free Trials: You signed up for a trial (like YouTube Premium). Google “holds” $1 to ensure you have funds for when the trial ends.

2. Cheat Sheet: Decode the Bank Code

Google uses different names for this hold depending on what service you used. According to the official Google Payments Help Center, these are the standard codes you will see:

3. Is It a Scam? (The $1.00 vs. $20.00 Rule)

Scammers do sometimes use Google descriptors to hide theft, but you can spot them easily by looking at the price.

• Safe ($0.00 – $1.00): If the amount is $1.00 or less, it is almost certainly a legit verification. It will disappear automatically.
• Suspicious ($1.99 – $9.99): If you see small, random charges like $2.99, a thief might be “testing” your card on a mobile game. Check your Google Play Order History immediately.
• Dangerous ($10.00+): Google does not do “holds” for large amounts. If you see a $20 “Hold,” you likely bought something by accident, or someone has your card.

4. How to Remove the Hold (Timeline)

You actually cannot “remove” the hold yourself—you just have to wait for your bank to clear it.

• Standard Wait Time: 1 to 7 business days.
• Debit Cards: Usually clear faster (24-48 hours).
• Credit Cards: Can take up to 7 days depending on the bank (Chase, Bank of America, etc.).

5. What If the Charge Doesn’t Go Away?

If the charge is still there after 10 days, or if it “Posts” (stops saying Pending), you need to investigate.

Step 1: Check “Google Pay” Activity Go to pay.google.com and log in. Look at the “Activity” tab. If you don’t see the charge there, but it is on your bank statement, someone else might be using your card.

Step 2: Report Unauthorized Charges If you suspect fraud, do not just call your bank yet.

1. First, report the unauthorized charge to Google.
2. If that fails, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) to protect your identity.

Summary

• Is it safe? Yes, if it is $1.00 or less.
• Do I need to cancel my card? No, unless the charge is higher than $1.00.
• When will I get my money back? In 1-7 days, the charge will disappear automatically.