Has it happened to you? Your debit card isn’t accepted because of inadequate funds. Yet your bankbook says you should have money in the account.

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, your account has had a hold put on it because of a transaction. For example, when you use your debit card at the gas pump, the gas station will create two transactions. The first is to get approval from your bank for an estimated purchase amount, generally around $50, before you are allowed to pump gas. The second transaction is for the actual charges when you are done.

So until the first transaction is cancelled by the bank, usually within two days, you don’t have access to that amount in your account.

If you use your debit card to reserve a room the hotel usually puts a hold on a certain amount to guarantee the room. These actions are taken so merchants can protect themselves from fraud or insufficient funds.