If you received a PIX but the funds are not available for use, a precautionary block may have occurred. This article explains what this mechanism is, when it happens, and what you can do.
What is a precautionary block?
A precautionary block is a security measure within the PIX system created by the Central Bank of Brazil. It allows ARQ to preventively hold an amount received in your account when there are indications that the transaction may be related to fraud or a scam.
The goal is to protect the payments ecosystem: while the analysis is underway, the amount is temporarily unavailable. This is an automatic, regulatory procedure that does not represent any conclusion about the transaction.
Note: only the amount involved in the block is held. The rest of your account balance and all other ARQ services continue to work normally.
When does a precautionary block happen?
A block can occur if the system identifies a risk factor in the transaction. You'll receive a notification from ARQ informing you about the block, and also about the release, should it occur. You can check the status directly in the app: go to your statement, find the blocked transaction, and tap it to see the details of the infraction.
How does this block work in practice?
We only block the balance needed to cover the amount of the reported transaction. If there is sufficient balance in BRL, no additional amount will be blocked. However, if the BRL balance is insufficient, upcoming deposits will be blocked until the total amount of the reported transaction is reached.
What can you do once the balance is blocked?
You have the following options:
Wait for the analysis: in most cases, if the transaction is legitimate, the amount is released automatically at the end of the analysis period, with no action required on your part. The maximum analysis period, if the suspicion arose from a PIX infraction, is 7 days.
Provide information in your defense: if you received the PIX legitimately and believe the block was unwarranted, contact ARQ support via chat in the app and provide documents that demonstrate the legitimacy of the transaction — an invoice, contract, receipt, or conversation history, for example. ARQ will consider this information in its analysis.