A reason code is the label the card network attaches to a chargeback to say why the cardholder disputed it. It decides what evidence the issuer expects and how long you have to respond. Below are 97 Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover codes, each with what it means, its common causes, the evidence that wins it and whether it's worth fighting. New to reason codes? Start withhow reason codes work, then come back here to look up a specific code.
Visa Claims Resolution (VCR) groups every dispute into four categories: Fraud (10), Authorization (11), Processing Errors (12) and Consumer Disputes (13). Read the full Visa guide →
Mastercard uses four-digit codes in the 48xx range. Many older codes are now routed through four umbrella codes (4808, 4834, 4837, 4853), but merchants still see the originals on dispute notices. Read the full Mastercard guide →
American Express is both network and issuer. Its alphanumeric codes are grouped by prefix: A (authorization), C (card member disputes), F/FR (fraud), M (miscellaneous), P (processing errors) and R (inquiry/no reply).
Discover uses two-to-four character codes such as AA, RG and UA02, split between cardholder disputes, fraud, processing errors and authorization issues.
Visa retired its two-digit reason codes in 2018 when it moved to Visa Claims Resolution, but they still turn up in older reports, some processor portals and search results. Here is where each one maps today.
| Old code | Name | Current code |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Services Not Provided or Merchandise Not Received | 13.1 |
| 41 | Cancelled Recurring Transaction | 13.2 |
| 53 | Not as Described or Defective Merchandise | 13.3, 13.4, 13.5 |
| 57 | Fraudulent Multiple Transactions | 10.4 |
| 62 | Counterfeit Transaction | 10.1 |
| 70 | Card Recovery Bulletin or Exception File | 11.1 |
| 71 | Declined Authorization | 11.2 |
| 72 | No Authorization | 11.3 |
| 73 | Expired Card | 11.3 |
| 74 | Late Presentment | 12.1 |
| 75 | Transaction Not Recognized | 10.4, 13.1 |
| 76 | Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code | 12.2, 12.3 |
| 77 | Non-Matching Account Number | 12.4 |
| 80 | Incorrect Transaction Amount or Account Number | 12.4, 12.5 |
| 81 | Fraud — Card-Present Environment | 10.3 |
| 82 | Duplicate Processing | 12.6.1 |
| 83 | Fraud — Card-Absent Environment | 10.4 |
| 85 | Credit Not Processed | 13.6 |
| 86 | Paid by Other Means | 12.6.2 |
| 90 | Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value | 13.9 |
| 93 | Merchant Fraud Performance Program | 10.5 |