Bank Error Codes List Explained for Merchants and Consumers

Bank error codes can be frustrating and confusing, especially for merchants and consumers who are trying to resolve issues with transactions. One common error code is the 12X code, which indicates a card account not found or not active.

Many merchants and consumers are unaware of the specific details behind each error code, leading to unnecessary delays and lost revenue. Understanding the meaning behind these codes can help resolve issues more efficiently.

Some error codes, like the 53X code, indicate a card account has been frozen or flagged for suspicious activity. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a security breach or a dispute over a transaction.

To navigate these situations, it's essential to know the specific error codes and their meanings, as well as the procedures for resolving the issue.

A credit card decline code is a negative message issued in response to a request for authorization during a transaction. This occurs when a payment can’t be processed for a specific reason.

There are dozens of reasons why an institution might decline a card transaction, and the bank will provide a two-digit credit card decline code as part of their response to explain why they didn’t authorize the sale.

Code 06 indicates that the transaction was blocked by the issuer, and it's best to contact the issuer to resolve the issue.

If a transaction is declined, you can ask the customer to pay using a different card or a different payment method.

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The dreaded error code can be frustrating for both customers and merchants. Error code 01-20 is a catch-all category that encompasses a range of issues.

Most error codes in this category are caused by a simple mistake on the customer's part.

If a customer's card is declined with an error code, it's often because they've entered their PIN incorrectly.

Ask the customer to re-enter their PIN, as this is usually the solution to the problem.

In some cases, the error code might indicate that the customer has exceeded their available credit limit or that the transaction amount exceeds their preauthorized approval amount.

If the issue is due to a limit being exceeded, ask the customer to pay down their balance before trying the transaction again.

If the problem is with the preauthorized approval amount, perform an authorization reversal and try again with a transaction amount that matches the authorization hold.

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A credit card decline code is a two-digit number that explains why a bank didn't authorize a sale.

Most people assume a declined card is due to fraud or insufficient funds, but there are actually dozens of reasons why a bank might decline a transaction.

The bank will provide a credit card decline code as part of their response to explain why they didn't authorize the sale.

Code 14 indicates the credit card number used for the transaction is not valid.

You should re-enter the correct account number and submit the transaction again, or try another card.

If the card number entered during the transaction matches the card number on the customer's card, but the problem persists, ask the customer to use an alternative payment method to complete the transaction.

A credit card decline code is a negative message issued in response to a request for authorization during a transaction. If your card is declined, it's likely because the cardholder has entered the wrong PIN more than three times, resulting in a code 75.

Code 75 is triggered when the cardholder has exceeded the allowed number of PIN entry tries. This is a common issue, and it's not just a matter of trying again, as the cardholder's PIN could not be verified.

To resolve this issue, tell the cardholder to enter their PIN again. If the issue persists, ask them to try another payment method.

If you're dealing with a Special Condition Fraud Account, you might see error codes like 5000 or 5001, which indicate a "fraud condition" or "suspicious activity."

These error codes are often triggered by unusual account activity, such as a sudden surge in withdrawals or a large transaction that's not typical of your normal spending habits.

In some cases, a Special Condition Fraud Account might be flagged due to a compromised debit card or an unauthorized login attempt.

To resolve the issue, you may need to contact your bank's customer service or visit a branch in person to verify your identity and confirm your account activity.

Keep in mind that your bank may also freeze your account temporarily to prevent further unauthorized transactions.

If you encounter a bank error code, it's essential to understand what it means and how to resolve the issue.

A Code 03 | Invalid Merchant indicates a problem with the merchant's account or the merchant ID. This means you'll need to contact your payment processor or acquiring bank to resolve the issue.

The issuing bank may flag or decline a transaction, resulting in a Code 03 | Invalid Merchant error. This can be frustrating, but knowing the cause can help you take the necessary steps to resolve it.

Partial Approval can be a frustrating experience for both merchants and customers. Part, but not all, of the transaction was approved.

If you receive a partial approval, you'll need to take action. Either cancel the payment or ask the customer to pay the remaining balance using another card.

A partial approval doesn't necessarily mean the transaction is completely blocked. It's often a sign that the payment processor is trying to verify the transaction.

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Merchant issues can arise, and it's essential to know how to address them. Code 03, specifically, indicates a problem with the merchant's account or merchant ID.

Contacting your payment processor or acquiring bank is usually the first step when dealing with Code 03 issues. They can help resolve the problem and get your transactions flowing smoothly again.

Invalid merchant IDs can cause transactions to fail, so it's crucial to verify the merchant ID before attempting a transaction.

A mistake was made when keying in the dollar amount, such as entering a negative number or an invalid symbol.

Code 13 indicates a payment amount error, usually due to a fundamental entry error like inputting a negative number or a symbol.

To fix this, re-check the payment amount and re-attempt payment.

If re-attempting payment doesn't work, contact your payment processor to investigate a potential technical issue.

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A stop payment order can be a real roadblock for merchants. Code R0 indicates that a cardholder has requested to stop a recurring payment.

Canceling all future payments related to that card number is crucial to avoid chargebacks and their resulting fees. If the cardholder has breached your agreement, contact them directly to resolve the issue.

Cardholders can request to stop recurring payments, and you must honor their request. Code R0/R1 indicates this type of request.

Canceling future payments is the first step in resolving a stop payment order. Otherwise, you may face a chargeback.

If a customer was not within their rights to cancel a recurring payment, contact them to discuss the matter.

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Code 39 is a common bank error code that means the card number presented is not associated with a credit card account. This can be frustrating for customers, but it's easy to resolve by asking them to use a different payment method.

Code 51 is another error code that indicates there are not enough funds in the customer's bank account to cover the cost of the transaction. This can happen when a customer tries to make a purchase online or in-person, and it's essential to inform them that their card does not have enough money to cover the transaction.

Code 52 and Code 53 are similar error codes that occur when a debit card transaction is declined because the card wasn't linked to a checking account or the card's linked savings account does not exist. In both cases, it's best to ask the customer for an alternative form of payment.

Code 65 is a more complex error code that means the cardholder has either exceeded their available credit limit or the transaction would push them over that limit. To resolve this issue, you can ask the customer to try another credit card or use their network and banking APSP to pay down their balance before trying the transaction again.

Code N8 is an error code that occurs when a transaction is blocked because the amount is greater than the value of the authorization hold. To resolve this issue, you can perform an authorization reversal and then try again, making sure the transaction is equivalent to the amount of the authorization hold.

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Authentication and Verification can be a bit of a pain, but it's a necessary step to ensure transactions are secure. If a customer gets a Code 01A, Additional Customer Authentication Required, they'll need to verify their identity before the transaction can be authenticated.

If a customer enters their card number incorrectly, resulting in Code 63, Security Violation, you'll need to try keying in the CVV again. If the problem persists, you can try processing the transaction without including the CVV, but be aware this will increase the fraud risk associated with the purchase.

Customers may also encounter issues with their PIN, such as entering the wrong PIN, resulting in Code 55, which means they'll need to re-enter their PIN. If they enter the wrong PIN more than three times, they'll get Code 75, Allowance Number Of Pin Entry Tries Exceeded, and will need to try a different payment method.

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If you encounter a Code 01A, it means the customer needs to further verify their identity before a transaction can be authenticated.

To resolve this, ask the customer to provide the verification details required, then try again.

Code Q1 indicates that the transaction was blocked because the card could not be successfully authenticated.

In this case, ask the cardholder to try again or use a different card.

Code 55 means the customer entered the wrong PIN.

Simply ask the customer to re-enter their PIN to resolve the issue.

Code 05 indicates the bank suspects the transaction is fraudulent.

You should call the issuing bank for further clarification before proceeding with the transaction.

Code 05 means the transaction may be a case of fraud.

Be cautious, as scammers may attempt to use another fraudulent payment method or file a chargeback after the transaction settles.

If the customer is a scammer, they may try to use an alternative payment method to complete the transaction.

You must ask the customer to use an alternative payment method to complete the transaction, but be careful not to enable further fraudulent activity.

The customer may attempt to file a chargeback after the transaction settles, so be aware of this possibility.

Call the issuing bank to get further clarification on the transaction before proceeding.

Authentication failed transactions can be frustrating for both you and the customer. If a transaction is blocked due to failed authentication, it's likely because the card could not be successfully authenticated.

Code Q1 indicates a card authentication failure. If this code appears, ask the cardholder to try again or use a different card. This is the best course of action to avoid further complications.

In some cases, the issue may not be with the card itself, but rather with the payment processor's security systems. If the issuer or payment network's security systems could not decrypt the PIN used in the transaction, the cardholder will receive a Code 81 error.

Remember to always be cautious when dealing with authentication failed transactions, as they can be a sign of a scammer attempting to use a fraudulent payment method.

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If the issuing bank is requesting for the card to be retained due to the card possibly reported lost or stolen, you'll receive a decline code of 04 Hold-call or PICK-up Card.

The bank may request the card to be retained for security reasons, so it's essential to contact the bank to resolve the issue.

A generic decline code of 05 Do Not Honor indicates that the issuing bank is not allowing the transaction due to a problem with the cardholder's account.

This can be due to various reasons, including an unrecognized address on file, so it's best to contact the bank to know the reason for the error.

If the credit card details are incorrect, you may receive a decline code of 12 Invalid Transaction or 14 Invalid Card Number.

Make sure to verify the credit card details carefully to avoid errors.

If the payment amount is invalid or exceeds the allowable amount, you'll receive a decline code of 13 Invalid Amount.

Double-check the amount entered to ensure it doesn't contain any special keys or negative symbols.

If the card has been reported lost or stolen, you'll receive a decline code of 41 – Lost Card or 43 Stolen Card.

In this case, it's best to avoid processing any payments from this card.

Here's a list of decline codes related to bank responses and explanations:

It's essential to contact the bank to resolve issues related to these decline codes.

Understanding bank error codes is crucial to protecting your business from financial losses. With 111,000 cases of credit card fraud in the second quarter of 2024 alone, it's never been more important to shield your business from scammers.

Always take care to ensure a decline code is a "soft decline" before re-attempting payment, as re-attempting a "hard decline" can lead to further issues.

To prevent bank error codes from impacting your business's bottom line, it's essential to work with a payment processor with strict security controls.