Force capture
Force capture is a payment processing term referring to the process of capturing funds from a customer's card after a purchase has been authorized, even if the is not directly linked to a specific transaction or order. It is typically used when a merchant needs to charge a customer after authorization or when the authorization is obtained through a different system than the one used for capture.
Common use cases:
- Offline authorizations
When a merchant obtains an authorization via phone or another method outside the standard system, funds may be captured later using force capture. - Delayed fulfillment
Orders placed and authorized but fulfilled later may require force capture to finalize the transaction. - Adjustments
Force capture can be used to capture additional funds if the order is modified, such as adding items or changing quantities.
Potential risks:
- Chargebacks
Force capture may be perceived as unexpected or unauthorized by the customer’s bank, increasing the risk of . - Fines
Misuse of force capture can result in fines or penalties from . - Customer disputes
Lack of clarity around force capture can lead to and negative customer experiences.
Merchants often need explicit approval from their payment processor before using force capture, as some processors impose limits on the amount that can be captured and may restrict certain transaction types.