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Chargeback Reason Codes

This page covers chargeback reason codes, the code on a dispute notice saying why money you already received is being taken back. Looking for a declined payment or a returned bank transfer?

Go by when it happened: a sale that failed on the spot is a decline, and money taken back after you already had it belongs here. If the payment ran on a routing and account number instead of a card, it's a bank transfer.

TL;DR
  • Fraud codes: Visa 10.4, Mastercard 4837, Amex F29, Discover UA02. Fight with 3DS, CE 3.0
  • Not received: Visa 13.1, Mastercard 4853/4855, Amex C08. Need delivery proof
  • Cancelled recurring: Visa 13.2, Mastercard 4853, Amex C28. Need original consent + terms
  • Response deadlines: Amex 20 days, Visa 30 days, Mastercard 45 days
  • Match your evidence to the specific code. Generic responses don't win

Every chargeback arrives with a reason code that tells you why the customer's bank reversed the charge. Match your response to the code, or you'll lose. A generic evidence packet loses no matter which of these codes it's answering.

New to chargebacks?

Looking up a specific code? You're in the right place. Want chargebacks from the ground up instead, including causes, cost, and how to respond? Start with What Is a Chargeback?

By Network​

Mastercard Reason Codes​

Mastercard runs on four-digit codes, grouped by category:

CodeCategoryCommon Issues
4808AuthorizationAuth not obtained properly
4834Point of InteractionProcessing errors, duplicates
4837FraudCardholder denies authorization
4853Cardholder DisputeGoods/services issues
4863RecognitionCardholder doesn't recognize
4870Chip LiabilityEMV counterfeit fraud
4871Chip Lost/StolenChip card lost/stolen/NRI

Visa Reason Codes​

Visa's numbering is two-part, Category.Subcategory:

CategoryDescriptionKey Codes
10.xFraud10.4 CNP fraud, 10.5 VFMP
11.xAuthorization11.1-11.3 auth issues
12.xProcessing Errors12.1-12.7 various errors
13.xConsumer Disputes13.1-13.9 goods/services

American Express Reason Codes​

Amex mixes letters and numbers, with the letter carrying the category:

SeriesCategoryExamples
FFraudF10, F14, F24, F29
AAuthorizationA01, A02, A08
PProcessingP01-P23
CConsumerC02-C32

Discover Reason Codes​

Discover uses 2-letter codes, grouped the same four ways:

CodeCategoryDescription
UAFraudUnauthorized transaction
AT/AWAuthorizationAuth issues
DP/INProcessingErrors
RM/RG/NFConsumerGoods/services

Code Categories at a Glance​

Fraud Codes​

NetworkPrimary Fraud Code
Mastercard4837
Visa10.4
AmexF29
DiscoverUA02

Non-Receipt Codes​

NetworkNot Received Code
Mastercard4853 (category)
Visa13.1
AmexC08
DiscoverRG

Cancelled Recurring Codes​

NetworkRecurring Code
Mastercard4853 (category)
Visa13.2
AmexC28
DiscoverAP

Cross-Network Comparison​

Response Time Frames​

Deadlines differ by network, so work the shortest window first rather than the order they arrived. That means Amex, at 20 days.

NetworkRepresentment Window
Mastercard45 days (varies by region)
Visa30 days
Amex20 days
Discover30 days

Liability Shift (3DS)​

NetworkFull Shift Code
MastercardSLI 1 or 2
VisaECI 05
AmexECI 05
DiscoverECI 05
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