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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:

  • Reason Code North-America: Canada and United States of America

  • Reason Code: All other countries

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.

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