When you purchase online subscriptions, many credit card services delay payment for processing and may also initiate an authorization charge. This anti-fraud feature validates that the card is real and active. The charge, if present, is typically $1 (or equivalent).
Note: An authorization hold means your card provider temporarily reserves an approved amount, which reduces your available balance until Private Internet Access (PIA) finalizes the transaction, cancels it, or the hold expires.
Regardless of whether the authorization is declined, this amount is reversed immediately. As it is a standard reversal, it could take 3–5 business days for the reversal to appear on your statement; however, since it is done within your credit card company's own network, it is typically much sooner. If you do not see this charge returned to your account by the end of the term above, you must speak directly with your card company for further assistance.
Bank approval of an authorization charge does not guarantee purchase approval. You may need to instruct your bank to allow these transactions to process without delay.