Right, so the PSN got hacked and CC#'s were stolen. Mine was probably among them, so I cancelled my card and am waiting on a new one. Brink ships on 5/10 and I pre-ordered it from GameStop with the check card whose number was stolen (due to a shipping charge snafu, GS comped me release date shipping; RAGE Anarchy edition was in that same order, so I got free release date shipping for that too). Hopefully, I get the new check card in the mail before Brink ships, and can update my billing info so that there are no complications (i.e. I get a "Sorry, we had to cancel your order" email). But in the case that I don't, and I can't, I'd like to know how pre-order billing and check cards work.

I know that a hold isn't actually placed until shipping takes place, but how is the hold pre-approved? Since I've already pre-approved a payment to be taken from my checking account, do I have to worry about updating my info in time for Brink's release?

Go to your local store if possible and have it shipped there and give them a few bucks down.