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Discover Reason Codes

This page covers Discover's dispute codes, the ones that start with two letters like UA02 or RG. Looking for Visa, Mastercard or Amex?

A dot in the code means Visa (10.4), four digits and no dot is Mastercard (4853), one letter and two digits is Amex (C08, F29).

TL;DR
  • Discover uses 2-4 character alphanumeric codes grouped by type
  • UA is fraud, AT and AW are authorization, DP and IN are processing errors, RM, RG and NF are consumer disputes
  • UA02 card-not-present fraud, RG non-receipt and AP cancelled recurring cover most of what you'll see
  • You get 30 days to respond. Discover issues its own cards, so the network and the issuer are the same party

You've got a Discover notice with a code on it. Find the code below. The three you'll actually meet are UA02, RG and AP. Each has its own page.

Deep-Dive Guides

Code Categories

Fraud (UA Series)

CodeNameDescription
UA01Fraud - Card PresentUnauthorized CP transaction
UA02Fraud - Card Not PresentUnauthorized CNP transaction
UA05Fraud - Chip CardEMV counterfeit fraud
UA06Fraud - Chip Card Lost/StolenEMV lost/stolen fraud
UA10Request Transaction ReceiptReceipt request
UA11Cardholder Claims FraudFraud allegation

Authorization (AT/AW Series)

CodeNameDescription
ATAuthorization Non-ComplianceAuth requirements not met
AWAltered AmountCleared amount differs

Processing Errors (DP/IN Series)

CodeNameDescription
DPDuplicate ProcessingCharged twice
INInvalid Card NumberBad card number
LPLate PresentmentDelayed clearing
NCNon-Matching Account NumberAccount mismatch
PMPaid by Other MeansDuplicate payment method
RN1Account Number DiscrepancyNumber doesn't match
RN2Credit Not PostedRefund missing

Consumer Disputes (RM/RG/NF Series)

CodeNameDescription
RMQuality/Not as DescribedMerchandise dispute
RGNon-Receipt of Goods/ServicesNot delivered
NFNon-Receipt of Cash from ATMATM dispute
APCancelled RecurringSubscription dispute
CDCredit DocumentationCredit dispute
CRCancelled ReservationHotel/travel cancellation

Response Time Frames

StageWindow
Retrieval request14 calendar days
Chargeback response30 calendar days
Second chargeback30 calendar days

Retrieval Requests

Discover often sends a retrieval request before the chargeback:

Send the receipt. Add anything else that documents the sale. You've got 14 days. Ignore it and the retrieval turns into a chargeback.

ProtectBuy (3D Secure)

Discover's 3D Secure is branded ProtectBuy. The ECI values match Visa's. Authenticate the transaction and fraud liability moves to the issuer.

ECI Values

ECIMeaningLiability
05Fully authenticatedIssuer
06AttemptedReduced merchant
07Not authenticatedMerchant

Documentation Requirements

For Fraud (UA Series)

  • ProtectBuy authentication
  • AVS/CVV verification
  • Delivery confirmation
  • Transaction records

For Non-Receipt (RG)

  • Tracking number
  • Delivery confirmation
  • Signature if available
  • Shipping address verification

For Recurring (AP)

  • Original consent
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cancellation policy
  • Transaction before cancel date

Win Rate Expectations

CodeWith EvidenceWithout Evidence
UA02 (ProtectBuy)70-85%-
UA02 (no 3DS)30-45%Under 15%
RG (delivery proof)60-75%Under 20%
AP (consent docs)50-65%Under 20%

Key Differences

FactorDiscoverVisa/MC
Code format2-4 charsNumbers
Retrieval useCommonLess common
Response time30 days30-45 days
3DS brandProtectBuyVisa Secure/Identity Check