What are reason codes of Visa, Mastercard, Discover, America Express and JCB?
07 Jun 2022
By PAYCEC
Visa chargeback reason codes
Fraud
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
10.1 |
EMV Liability Shift Counterfeit Fraud |
The cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. The terminal was not EMV compliant. |
10.2 |
EMV Liability Shift Non-Counterfeit Fraud |
The cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. The terminal was not EMV compliant. |
10.3 |
Other Fraud-Card Present Environment |
The cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a key-entered or unattended transaction conducted in a card-present environment. |
10.4 |
Other Fraud-Card Absent Environment |
The cardholder did not authorise or participate in a transaction conducted in a card-absent environment (such as internet, mail-order, phone-order, etc.). |
10.5 |
Visa Fraud Monitoring Program |
Visa notified the cardholder's bank that the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) identified the transaction and the cardholder's bank has not successfully disputed the transaction under another dispute condition. |
Authorization
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
11.1 |
Card Recovery Bulletin |
The transaction was below the your floor limit and was not authorised. |
11.2 |
Declined Authorization |
An Authorization Request was declined. |
11.3 |
No Authorization |
The payment could not be authorised. |
Processing Errors
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
12.1 |
Late Presentment |
The transaction was not sent to Visa within the timeframe required. |
12.2 |
Incorrect Transaction Code |
A cardholder claims the converted amount of charge on an international transaction is incorrect. |
12.3 |
Incorrect Currency |
You sent a transaction that was processed with an incorrect currency code. Often the cardholder was not advised or did not agree that Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) would occur. |
12.4 |
Incorrect Account Number |
You either processed the transaction to an incorrect account number or did not authorise the transaction and it was processed to an account number not on the issuer's master file. |
12.5 |
Incorrect Amount |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
12.6 |
Duplicate Processing/Paid by Other Means |
The cardholder claims that a single transaction was processed more than once or the cardholder claims that they paid for the merchandise or service by other means (such as cash, check, other card, etc.). |
12.7 |
Invalid Data |
An authorization was obtained using invalid or incorrect data. |
Consumer disputes
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
13.1 |
Merchandise/Services Not Received |
The cardholder claims that merchandise or services that they ordered were not received or that the cardholder canceled the order as the result of not receiving the merchandise or services by the expected delivery date (or merchandise was unavailable for pick-up). |
13.2 |
Canceled Recurring |
A recurring transaction was processed after it was canceled or that the cardholder's account was closed. |
13.3 |
Not as Described or Defective Merchandise/Services |
The cardholder claims the goods were not as described or disputes the quality of the merchandise or services. |
13.4 |
Counterfeit Merchandise |
The merchandise was identified as counterfeit by a third party. |
13.5 |
Misrepresentation |
The cardholder's bank received a notice from the cardholder claiming that the terms of the sale were misrepresented. |
13.6 |
Credit not Processed |
The cardholder's bank received a notice from the cardholder claiming that they received a credit or voided transaction receipt that has not been processed. |
13.7 |
Canceled Merchandise/Services |
The cardholder's bank received a notice from the cardholder stating that they returned merchandise or canceled services, but the credit has not appeared on the cardholder's Visa statement. |
13.8 |
Original Credit Transaction Not Accepted |
The original credit was not accepted. |
Mastercard chargeback reason codes
Fraud
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4837 |
No Cardholder Authorization |
The cardholder states that they, nor anyone authorised by them, engaged in the transaction. |
4840 |
Fraudulent Processing of Transactions |
The cardholder claims that a fraudulent purchase was made while the card was in the cardholder's possession at the time of the transaction. |
4849 |
Questionable merchant activity |
The acquirer processed a transaction that was later was listed in a Mastercard Global Security Bulletin for violating GMAP, QMAP, or reported to SAFE. |
4863 |
Cardholder does not recognize – Potential Fraud |
The cardholder claims that they do not recognize the transaction and states that they did not authorise the charge to their credit card. |
4870 |
Chip Liability Shift |
The cardholder claims they were in possession of a valid card on the date of transaction but they did not authorise or participate in the transaction. |
4871 |
Chip/PIN Liability Shift |
The cardholder claims they were not in possession of a valid card on the date of transaction and they did not authorise or participate in the transaction. |
4999 |
Domestic Chargeback Dispute (Europe region only) |
The issuer can supply this message for a domestic chargeback that doesn't meet another chargeback categorization. |
Authorization
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4835 |
Card Not Valid or Expired |
A transaction completed with an expired card. |
4807 |
Warning Bulletin File |
The payment could not be authorised. |
4808 |
Requested /Required Authorization not obtained |
The payment could not be authorised. |
4812 |
Account Number Not on File |
Account number does not correspond to the account numbers the issuer has on file for this cardholder. |
Processing Errors
Following the Mastercard dispute guidelines, processing error chargebacks are filed under reason code 4834 - Point of Interaction Error. This reason code covers the following scenarios:
Reason Code |
Description |
4834 |
The cardholder paid twice for the same transaction using two different forms of payment |
4834 |
The cardholder’s account has been debited more than once for the same transaction using the same form of payment |
4834 |
The cardholder was billed an incorrect amount |
4834 |
Cash was not properly dispensed by an ATM |
4834 |
The cardholder’s account has been debited more than once for the same ATM transaction |
4834 |
The cardholder was billed for loss, theft, or damage in the same transaction as the underlying initial service |
4834 |
A dispute regarding Point of Interaction Currency Conversion (Dynamic Currency Conversion) |
4834 |
The cardholder was billed an unreasonable amount (intra-EEA Transactions, domestic transactions in EEA countries, transactions between an EEA country and Gibraltar or the UK, Gibraltar domestic transactions, and UK domestic transactions) |
4834 |
The cardholder paid an improper merchant surcharge (intra-European and inter-European transactions only) |
4834 |
The merchant processed a credit (instead of a reversal) to correct an error which resulted in the cardholder experiencing a currency exchange loss |
4834 |
The acquirer presented a transaction past the applicable time frame |
The following reason codes can still be used, but will disappear in the future:
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4831 |
Transaction amount differs |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
4842 |
Late Presentment |
The transaction was not sent to Mastercard within the timeframe required. |
4846 |
Correct Transaction Currency Code not provided |
A cardholder claims the converted amount of charge on an international transaction is incorrect. |
4850 |
Credit Posted as a Purchase |
When an account is posted a debit in place of a credit by mistake. |
Consumer disputes
Following the Mastercard dispute guidelines, consumer dispute chargebacks are filed under reason code 4853 - Cardholder Dispute. This reason code covers the following scenarios:
Reason Code |
Description |
4853 |
Services not provided/Merchandise not received. |
4853 |
Canceled recurring transaction. |
4853 |
Goods not as described/defective. |
4853 |
Counterfeit merchandise. |
4853 |
Credit not processed. |
4853 |
Addendum dispute or “no-show” hotel charge was billed. |
4853 |
Purchase transaction did not complete. |
4853 |
Credit posted as a purchase. |
The following reason codes can still be used, but will disappear in the future:
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4841 |
Cancelled Recurring Transaction |
A recurring transaction was processed after it was canceled or that the cardholder's account was closed. |
4854 |
Not Elsewhere Classified (U.S. region only) |
The cardholder claims they are unhappy with the goods or services provided and that they have been unable to resolve the situation. |
4855 |
Non receipt of merchandise |
The cardholder claims that merchandise or services that they ordered were not received or that the cardholder canceled the order as the result of not receiving the merchandise or services by the expected delivery date (or merchandise was unavailable for pick-up). |
4860 |
Credit not Processed |
The cardholder's bank received a notice from the cardholder claiming that they received a credit or voided transaction receipt that has not been processed. |
6305 |
Cardholder does not agree with amount billed |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
American Express chargeback reason codes
Based on the region in which you have set up American Express, you will receive reason codes from one of these columns:
Fraud
Reason Code |
Reason Code North-America |
Reason |
Description |
4540 |
F29 |
Card Not Present (fraud) |
The cardholder denies participation in a mail; telephone or internet-type transaction. |
4763 |
FR2 |
Full recourse |
A cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. |
4798 |
F30 |
Fraud Liability Shift – Counterfeit |
A cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. |
4799 |
F31 |
Fraud Liability Shift – Lost/Stolen/Non-Received |
A cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. |
4534 |
F24 |
No Card Member Authorization |
The cardholder denies participation in the charge submitted and you have failed to provide proof that the cardholder participated in the charge. |
- |
FR4 |
Placed in Immediate Chargeback Program |
The cardholder has disputed the charge and you have been placed in the Immediate Chargeback Program. |
- |
FR6 |
Placed in the Partial Immediate Chargeback Program |
The cardholder has disputed the charge and you have been placed in the Partial Immediate Chargeback Program. |
Authorization
Reason Code |
Reason Code North-America |
Reason |
Description |
4521 |
A02 |
No Valid Authorization |
The payment could not be authorised. |
- |
A01 |
Incorrect Transaction Amount Presented |
Charges were incorrectly submitted by using an incorrect amount. |
- |
A08 |
Authorization Approval Expired |
The payment could not be authorised because the transaction expired. |
4751 |
- |
Expired Authorization |
The payment could not be authorised because the transaction expired. |
Processing Errors
Reason Code |
Reason Code North-America |
Reason |
Description |
4507 |
P05 |
Incorrect Transaction Amount Presented |
Charges were incorrectly submitted by using an incorrect amount. |
4512 |
- |
Multiple Processing |
A charge was incorrectly submitted more than once to the cardholders account. |
- |
P08 |
Duplicate Charge |
The cardholder claims that a single transaction was processed more than once. |
4522 |
- |
Authorization Declined |
An Authorization Request was declined. |
4523 |
P01 |
Unassigned C/M Account Number |
Account number does not correspond to the account numbers the issuer has on file for this cardholder. |
4525 |
- |
Transaction Amount Changed |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
4530 |
- |
Currency Discrepancy |
The cardholder was advised the charge is in a currency that differs from that which they originally agreed upon. |
- |
P23 |
Currency Discrepancy |
A cardholder claims the converted amount of charge on an international transaction is incorrect. |
4536 |
P07 |
Late Presentment |
A charge was submitted for payment outside the timeframe. |
4752 |
P03, P04 |
Credit/Debit Presentment Error |
When an account is posted a debit in place of a credit by mistake. |
4755 |
- |
No Valid Approval Code |
A transaction where Authorization was required but not obtained. |
4758 |
F22 |
Expired/Not Yet valid card |
A transaction completed with an expired card. |
Consumer disputes
Reason Code |
Reason Code North-America |
Reason |
Description |
4515 |
C14 |
Paid through Other Means |
The cardholder provided proof of payment by another method. |
4532 |
- |
Damaged and/or Defective Goods/Services |
The cardholder disputes the quality of the merchandise or services. |
4544 |
C28 |
Cancelation of Recurring Goods/Services services |
Cardholder claims that their account continues to be billed for recurring goods or services that they had previously canceled or revoked. |
4554 |
C08 |
Goods and Services Not Received |
The cardholder claims that the goods or services that were purchased at your business have not been received. |
4754 |
- |
Local Regulatory/Legal Dispute |
The cardholder alleges that a law or regulation was not followed. |
- |
C02 |
No Credit Received |
A credit has not been applied to cardholders account for either: goods/services canceled; an advance deposit/ payment or a no show reservation. |
- |
C04 |
Goods and Services not Received/Refused |
The cardholder claims that the goods or services that were purchased at your business have not been received or have been refused. |
- |
C05 |
Goods Returned/Canceled |
The cardholder claims that the goods/services ordered were canceled. |
- |
C31 |
Not as Described |
The goods or services received from your business were either not as described by your business or the price should be lower than that claimed by your business. |
- |
C32 |
Damaged and/or Defective Goods/Services |
The cardholder disputes the quality of the merchandise or services. |
Discover chargeback reason codes
Fraud
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4752 |
Does not Recognize |
The cardholder claims that they do not recognize the transaction and states that they did not authorise the charge to their credit card. |
4866 |
Fraud Chip Card Counterfeit Transaction |
A cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. |
4867 |
Fraud Chip Card and PIN Transaction |
A cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a transaction that you processed. |
7010 |
Fraud Card Present Transaction |
A cardholder is claiming that they did not authorise or participate in a key-entered or unattended transaction conducted in a card-present environment. |
7030 |
Fraud Card Not Present Transaction |
The cardholder did not authorise or participate in a transaction conducted in a card-absent environment (such as internet, mail-order, phone-order, etc.). |
Authorization
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4753 |
Invalid Cardholder Number |
Account number does not correspond to the account numbers the issuer has on file for this cardholder. |
Processing Errors
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4534 |
Duplicate Processing |
The cardholder claims that a single transaction was processed more than once. |
4542 |
Late Presentation |
The transaction was not sent to Discover within the timeframe required. |
4550 |
Credit/ Debit Posted Incorrectly |
When an account received a debit in place of a credit by mistake. |
4586 |
Altered Amount |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
4865 |
Paid by Other Means |
The cardholder claims that they paid for the merchandise or service by other means (such as cash, check, other card, etc.). |
Consumer disputes
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
4755 |
Non-Receipt of Goods or Services |
The cardholder claims that the goods or services that were purchased at your business have not been received. |
4553 |
Cardholder Disputes Quality of Goods or Services |
The cardholder disputes the quality of the merchandise or services. |
4541 |
Recurring Payment |
Cardholder claims that their account continues to be billed for recurring goods or services that they had previously canceled or revoked. |
8002 |
Credit Not Processed |
A credit has not been applied to the cardholder's account for either: goods/services canceled; an advance deposit/ payment or a no show reservation. |
JCB chargeback reason codes
Fraud
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
534 |
Unauthorized Multiple Transaction |
This chargeback occurs when two or more transactions take place at one location, and the cardholder claims they only authorised or participated in one. |
546 |
Unauthorized Purchase |
The cardholder did not authorise or participate in the transaction. |
526 |
No Signature |
Signature is missing from the Sales Draft you sent to Adyen. |
527 |
No Imprint |
Sales Draft does not contain a JCB Card imprint or the Transaction data read from the magnetic stripe or IC chip of the JCB Card. |
Authorization
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
517 |
Requested Copy Illegible |
This chargeback occurs when the Issuer of an account requests a copy of a transaction receipt on behalf of the cardholder, and a legible copy of the draft requested was not received. |
522 |
Authorization Declined |
An Authorization Request was declined. |
523 |
Incorrect Card number |
Account number does not correspond to the account numbers the issuer has on file for this cardholder. |
503 |
Expired JCB Card |
A transaction completed with an expired card. |
547 |
Card on Stop List |
This chargeback occurs when the JCB card presented for payment was listed on a Stop List that was effective at the time of sale. |
Processing Errors
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
507 |
Incorrect Transaction Amount |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
510 |
Mispost |
When an account is posted a debit in place of a credit by mistake. |
512 |
Duplicate Processing |
The cardholder claims that a single transaction was processed more than once. |
524 |
Addition Error |
The Cardholder's copy of the sales draft or other transaction record shows an error in addition which causes the total amount to be incorrect. |
525 |
Altered Amount |
The cardholder claims that the amount they agreed to pay differs from the amount charged. |
536 |
Late Submission |
The transaction was not sent to JCB within the timeframe required. |
541 |
Illegible Item |
This chargeback occurs when the Issuer of an account requests a copy of a transaction receipt on behalf of the cardholder, and a legible copy of the draft requested was not received. |
581 |
Split Sale |
This chargeback occurs when a transaction requiring an authorization decision was split into two or more card sales to avoid authorization, and had the whole sale been submitted for authorization, it would have been declined. |
583 |
Paid by Other Means |
The cardholder claims that they paid for the merchandise or service by other means (such as cash, check, other card, etc.). |
Consumer disputes
Reason Code |
Reason |
Description |
502 |
Cardmember Dispute |
The cardholder claims that the goods or services that were purchased at your business have not been received. |
513 |
Credit Not Received |
A credit has not been applied to the cardholders account for either: goods/services canceled; an advance deposit/ payment or a no show reservation. |
516 |
Non-Receipt of Requested Item |
The cardholder claims that the goods or services that were purchased at your business have not been received. |
544 |
Canceled Recurring Transaction |
The cardholder claims that their account continues to be billed for recurring goods or services that they had previously canceled or revoked. |
554 |
Non-Receipt of Merchandise/Non-Receipt of Cash at ATM |
This chargeback occurs when the cardholder does not receive merchandise at the agreed location. |
537 |
No show dispute |
The cardholder claims they were not properly informed of the No-Show or cancellation policy at the time of the reservation. |
538 |
Advance Deposit |
The cardholder claims they were not properly informed of the cancellation policy at the time of the reservation. |