Account Credits — How They Work
How account credits are created from unused payment grants, how to see your balance, and how they apply automatically at checkout.
What is an account credit?
An account credit is a dollar balance held in your Gumshoe account that applies toward future verifications. Credits never expire and carry forward indefinitely.
How credits are created
Credits are created automatically when a payment grant expires unused. When you purchase a check bundle, Gumshoe creates a payment grant — a one-use token that unlocks the verification. You have 30 days to use that grant. If the 30 days pass without a verification being run, the grant converts to an account credit for the same dollar value. Nothing is lost; the money moves to your credit balance instead.
You will receive an email notification whenever a credit is created, showing the amount and the original purchase it came from.
Credits can also be applied manually by Gumshoe support in exceptional circumstances (refunds, goodwill adjustments).
Seeing your credit balance
If you have a credit balance, a green banner appears on your Dashboard immediately after login. It shows your available balance and a link to run a verification. Your balance is also shown at checkout before any payment is required.
How credits are applied at checkout
Credits are applied automatically — you do not need to do anything. When you reach checkout:
- Gumshoe checks your credit balance
- The balance is applied against the total due, shown as a line item in the order summary
- If your credits cover the full amount, no card entry is required — you can complete the verification without entering payment details
- If the amount exceeds your credits, only the shortfall is charged to your card
This applies to both per-check purchases and annual plan payments.
Can I turn credits off?
Yes. At checkout there is a toggle to skip applying your credits if you prefer to pay by card. This is rarely needed but available if you want to preserve credits for a specific future purchase.
Do credits have an expiry?
No. Account credits do not expire. They remain on your account until used.
What happens to credits if I cancel my account?
Credits are non-refundable to a payment method. If you close your account, unused credits are forfeited. Contact support before closing if you have a significant balance.
Credit history
Every credit transaction (added or spent) is recorded in a ledger with a timestamp, description, and source reference. Contact support if you believe your credit balance is incorrect.