Chargeback reason codes give the justification for banks hitting merchants with a chargeback. They tell merchants the reason for a disputed charge for a good or service. Consequently, knowing what they mean is a requirement to successfully challenge a chargeback.
Unfortunately, the process is not very transparent at the merchant level.
First of all, each of the major credit card networks — Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover — use their own system. Because of this, there is no standard chargeback code meaning. Furthermore, it is the banks themselves that categorize chargeback dispute types.
As a result, no standard type/code list exits. Merchants must familiarize themselves with the individual systems used by each of the major credit card networks.
Chargeback Reason Code Categories
There are four categories of chargeback codes:
- Authorization
Authorization chargebacks are chargebacks with a problem with the authorization to execute a transaction (note this is different than settlement, which is a different process). Most often, this happens if authorization was requested but not granted. Similarly, a failure to request authorization will also trigger this kind of chargeback. - Consumer Disputes
Consumer dispute chargebacks are chargebacks filed by the credit card account holder due to a dissatisfaction with services. It’s important to note this category is separate from fraud. Examples include a merchant’s failure to cancel recurring payments, receipt of defective merchandise, or failure to receive merchandise paid for. - Fraud
Fraud chargebacks are chargebacks due to theft of either the credit card details or the physical card itself. Consequently, there is unauthorized use of the card by a fraudster. As a result, the merchant receives codes including counterfeit fraud, card-present environment, and EMV liability shift. - Processing Errors
Processing error chargebacks are problems at the point of sale. Due to faulty processing, completing the transaction is impossible. Examples include incorrect transaction codes, incorrect transaction codes, and duplicate processing of a transaction.
Visa Chargeback Codes
Below is a list of VISA chargeback codes. You can learn more about each one by vising their VISA Chargeback Management Guidelines resource.
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 10.1: EMV Liability Shift Counterfeit Fraud
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 10.2: EMV Liability Shift Non-Counterfeit Fraud
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 10.3: Other Fraud – Card-Present Environment
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 10.4: Other Fraud – Card-Absent Environment
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 10.5: Visa Fraud Monitoring Program
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 11.1: Card Recovery Bulletin
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 11.2: Declined Authorization
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 11.3 No Authorization
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.1: Late Presentment
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.2: Incorrect Transaction Code
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.3: Incorrect Currency
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.4: Incorrect Account Number
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.5: Incorrect Amount
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.6: Duplicate Processing/Paid by Other Means
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 12.7: Invalid Data
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.1: Merchandise/Services Not Received
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.2: Cancelled Recurring Transaction
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.3: Not as Described or Defective Merchandise/Services
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.4: Counterfeit Merchandise
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.5: Misrepresentation
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.6: Credit Not Processed
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.7: Cancelled Merchandise/Services
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.8: Original Credit Transaction Not Accepted
- Visa Chargeback Code Condition 13.9: Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value
Mastercard Chargeback Codes
Below is a list of Mastercard chargeback codes used in eCommerce. You can learn more about each one by visiting the Mastercard Chargeback Guide.
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 70: Chip Liability Shift
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 71: Disputed Amount
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 73: Duplicate Transaction
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 74: No Cardholder Authorization
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 75: Credit Not Provided
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 79: Goods or Services Not Provided
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 80: Chip Transaction – Late Presentment
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 4804: Multiple Processing
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 4809: Transaction not reconciled
- Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 4811: Stale Transaction
American Express Chargeback Codes
Below is a list of American Express chargeback codes used in eCommerce. You can learn more by visiting the Amex Chargeback Reference Guide.
- American Express Chargeback Code A01: Charge Amount Exceeds Authorization Amount
- American Express Chargeback Code A02: No Valid Authorization
- American Express Chargeback Code A08: Authorization Approval Expired
- American Express Chargeback Code F10: Missing Imprint
- American Express Chargeback Code F14: Missing Signature
- American Express Chargeback Code F24: No Card Member Authorization
- American Express Chargeback Code F29: Card Not Present
- American Express Chargeback Code F30: EMV Counterfeit
- American Express Chargeback Code F31: EMV Lost/Stolen/Non-Received
- American Express Chargeback Code P01: Unassigned Card Number
- American Express Chargeback Code P03: Credit Processed as Charge
- American Express Chargeback Code P04: Charge Processed as Credit
- American Express Chargeback Code P05: Incorrect Charge Amount
- American Express Chargeback Code P07: Late Submission
- American Express Chargeback Code P08: Duplicate Charge
- American Express Chargeback Code P22: Non-Matching Card Number
- American Express Chargeback Code P23: Currency Discrepancy
- American Express Chargeback Code C02: Credit Not Processed
- American Express Chargeback Code C04: Goods/Services Returned or Refused
- American Express Chargeback Code C05: Goods/Services Canceled
- American Express Chargeback Code C08: Goods/Services Not Received or Only Partially Received
- American Express Chargeback Code C14: Paid by Other Means
- American Express Chargeback Code C18: “No Show” or CARDeposit Canceled
- American Express Chargeback Code C28: Canceled Recurring Billing
- American Express Chargeback Code C31: Goods/Services Not As Described
- American Express Chargeback Code C32: Goods/Services Damaged or Defective
- American Express Chargeback Code M01: Chargeback Authorization
- American Express Chargeback Code M10: Vehicle Rental – Capital Damages
- American Express Chargeback Code M49: Vehicle Rental – Theft or Loss of Use
- American Express Chargeback Code R03: Insufficient Reply
- American Express Chargeback Code R13: No Reply
- American Express Chargeback Code FR2: Fraud Full Recourse Program
- American Express Chargeback Code FR4: Immediate Chargeback Program
- American Express Chargeback Code FR6: Partial Immediate Chargeback Program
Discover Chargeback Codes
Below is a list of Discover chargeback codes used in eCommerce. You can learn more by vising Discover’s chargeback resource for merchants.
- Discover Chargeback Code AL: Airline Transaction Dispute
- Discover Chargeback Code AP: Automatic Payment
- Discover Chargeback Code AW: Altered Amount
- Discover Chargeback Code CA: Cash Advance Dispute
- Discover Chargeback Code CD: Credit
- Discover Chargeback Code CR: Cancelled Reservation
- Discover Chargeback Code DA: Declined Authorization
- Discover Chargeback Code DP: Duplicate Processing
- Discover Chargeback Code EX: Expired Card
- Discover Chargeback Code IC: Ineligible Sales Data
- Discover Chargeback Code IN: Invalid Card Number
- Discover Chargeback Code IS: Missing signature
- Discover Chargeback Code LP: Late Presentation
- Discover Chargeback Code N: No Funds Dispensed
- Discover Chargeback Code NA: No Authorization
- Discover Chargeback Code NC: Not Classified
- Discover Chargeback Code P: Partial Funds dispensed
- Discover Chargeback Code RG: Non-reciept of goods of services
- Discover Chargeback Code RM: Disputed Quality of Goods or Services
- Discover Chargeback Code RN: Additional Credit Requested/Non-Receipt of Credit
- Discover Chargeback Code SV: Stored Value Dispute
- Discover Chargeback Code TF: Violation of Operating Regulations
- Discover Chargeback Code TNM: Improperly Posted to Cardholder’s Amount
- Discover Chargeback Code EF: Transaction Exceeds Floor Limit
- Discover Chargeback Code RI: Non-receipt of Requested Item
- Discover Chargeback Code UA: Unauthorized Purchase
- Discover Chargeback Code UA01: No Authorization
- Discover Chargeback Code UA02: Declined Authorization
- Discover Chargeback Code UA03: Sale Exceeded Authorization Amount
- Discover Chargeback Code UA11: No Signature, Swiped
- Discover Chargeback Code UA12: Different Signature, Swiped
- Discover Chargeback Code UA18: Illegible Copy, Swiped
- Discover Chargeback Code UA21: No Signature, Keyed
- Discover Chargeback Code UA22: Different Signature, Keyed
- Discover Chargeback Code UA23: Invalid Imprint
- Discover Chargeback Code UA28: Illegible Copy, Keyed
- Discover Chargeback Code UA31: Invalid Proof of Delivery
- Discover Chargeback Code UA32: Invalid CNP Sale
- Discover Chargeback Code UA38: Illegible Copy, Card Not Present
- Discover Chargeback Code UA99: Non-co.
Protect Your Business Against Chargebacks
Ready to fight back? The best way to avoid needing this list of chargeback codes is to first understand the types of eCommerce fraud that exist, and then do what you can do to protect yourself.
Remember, there is no foolproof way to prevent eComerce fraud. But the more knowledge you have, the better your chances of success.
