OpenAI will pre-charge $5 at the time of binding, and this amount will be refunded within 14-21 business days, but a $1 cancellation transaction fee will be incurred, which is charged by the bank.
Binding a bank card and making a small transaction is a way to verify the account. Through this method, OpenAI can ensure that the user's bank card information is valid and that the user is willing to pay for the API service. The $5 deduction can be part of the account verification to ensure the normal operation of the user account.
By binding a bank card and making a small deduction, OpenAI can prevent users from abusing free quotas or engaging in improper operations. This mechanism helps protect the interests of the platform and service providers, ensuring the reasonable use of services.
To ensure that domestic users can smoothly bind and recharge the OpenAI API, you are welcome to use WildCard: https://leixue.com/go/wildcard