🔍 What Is It?
When you try to hire a Beryl Bike, we ask your payment card provider to hold £1. This is a quick check to make sure there are available funds on your card before unlocking a bike
✅ The request is cancelled immediately
❌ It’s not a charge
You won’t be charged and we never take the money from your account
While the £1 hold is active, those funds may be temporarily unavailable, but they will return to you shortly.
🔒 Why Does Beryl Run This Check?
This is a fraud prevention measure that helps keep our schemes safe and reliable. It helps us:
Stop the use of fraudulent cards
Reduce theft and damage
Keep bikes available and safe for genuine users like you
👀 Will I See This on My Bank Statement?
It depends on your bank:
💬 Real-time banks (like Monzo or Revolut): you’ll usually see it marked as “Pending”
🏦 Other banks may not show anything but your available balance might be slightly lower than your total
⏱ How Long Until the £1 Is Released?
We tell your bank to release it immediately, and most will return the funds straight away.
However, in some cases:
Your bank may take a little longer to process
Rarely, the bank waits for the hold to expire automatically (usually after a few days)
⛔ If the funds don’t return and you’re concerned, you’ll need to contact your bank directly.