Reason code guides
Chargeback reason codes, and the evidence that wins each one
Every chargeback carries a reason code that says what the cardholder is claiming — and what evidence you need to answer it. Here are 37 Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover codes, each with a plain-English explanation and an evidence checklist.
The four kinds of chargeback
Networks number their codes differently, but almost every code falls into one of these groups — and each group is won with a different kind of proof.
Fraud
The cardholder says they didn’t make or allow the purchase. Won with verification results and links to the cardholder.
Authorization
The payment wasn’t properly approved. Won with the authorization record: approval code, amount and date.
Processing error
A duplicate, a wrong amount or a payment made twice. Won with receipts and the order’s own records.
Consumer / cardholder dispute
Not received, not as described, cancelled or not refunded. Won with delivery, terms and the customer’s own words.
Visa chargeback reason codes
- 10.4Visa 10.4 — Other Fraud — Card-Absent EnvironmentFraud
- 11.3Visa 11.3 — No AuthorizationAuthorization
- 12.5Visa 12.5 — Incorrect AmountProcessing Error
- 12.6.1Visa 12.6.1 — Duplicate ProcessingProcessing Error
- 12.6.2Visa 12.6.2 — Paid by Other MeansProcessing Error
- 13.1Visa 13.1 — Merchandise / Services Not ReceivedConsumer Dispute
- 13.2Visa 13.2 — Cancelled Recurring TransactionConsumer Dispute
- 13.3Visa 13.3 — Not as Described or Defective Merchandise / ServicesConsumer Dispute
- 13.4Visa 13.4 — Counterfeit MerchandiseConsumer Dispute
- 13.5Visa 13.5 — MisrepresentationConsumer Dispute
- 13.6Visa 13.6 — Credit Not ProcessedConsumer Dispute
- 13.7Visa 13.7 — Cancelled Merchandise / ServicesConsumer Dispute
Mastercard chargeback reason codes
- 4808Mastercard 4808 — Authorization-Related ChargebackAuthorization
- 4834Mastercard 4834 — Point-of-Interaction ErrorProcessing Error
- 4837Mastercard 4837 — No Cardholder AuthorizationFraud
- 4841Mastercard 4841 — Cancelled Recurring or Digital Goods TransactionsCardholder Dispute
- 4853Mastercard 4853 — Cardholder DisputeCardholder Dispute
- 4863Mastercard 4863 — Cardholder Does Not Recognize — Potential FraudFraud
American Express chargeback reason codes
- F24Amex F24 — No Card Member AuthorizationFraud
- F29Amex F29 — Card Not PresentFraud
- C02Amex C02 — Credit Not ProcessedCard Member Dispute
- C04Amex C04 — Goods / Services Returned or RefusedCard Member Dispute
- C05Amex C05 — Goods / Services CancelledCard Member Dispute
- C08Amex C08 — Goods / Services Not Received or Only Partially ReceivedCard Member Dispute
- C28Amex C28 — Cancelled Recurring BillingCard Member Dispute
- C31Amex C31 — Goods / Services Not as DescribedCard Member Dispute
- C32Amex C32 — Goods / Services Damaged or DefectiveCard Member Dispute
- P05Amex P05 — Incorrect Charge AmountProcessing Error
- P08Amex P08 — Duplicate ChargeProcessing Error
Discover chargeback reason codes
- UA02Discover UA02 — Fraud — Card Not Present TransactionFraud
- AADiscover AA — Does Not RecognizeCardholder Dispute
- RGDiscover RG — Non-Receipt of Goods or ServicesCardholder Dispute
- RMDiscover RM — Cardholder Disputes Quality of Goods or ServicesCardholder Dispute
- RN2Discover RN2 — Credit Not ProcessedCardholder Dispute
- DPDiscover DP — Duplicate ProcessingProcessing Error
- AWDiscover AW — Altered AmountProcessing Error
- PMDiscover PM — Paid by Other MeansProcessing Error
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