Skip to main content

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