Card Issuer Rejection: Understanding the Causes and Consequences

Top view of scattered paper squares, laptop, and scissors forming the word 'NO', implying rejection or denial.
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Card issuer rejection can be a frustrating experience, especially if you're not sure why it happened. The main reason for card issuer rejection is a mismatch between the information you provided and what the issuer has on file.

This can include discrepancies in your name, address, or date of birth. In one case, a person was rejected for a credit card because their middle name was spelled differently on their application than on their driver's license.

The consequences of card issuer rejection can be significant, including damage to your credit score. According to a study, card issuer rejection can lower your credit score by up to 50 points.

Decline Reasons

A card issuer rejection can be frustrating, especially when you're unsure why it happened. Knowing the common reasons can lessen its impact on your transactions.

Inadequate funds and going over your credit limit are two common reasons your card issuer may decline a transaction. Out-of-date card information or restrictions based on your region can also cause a rejection.

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You may be wondering, what about suspicious activity or wrong information? These are also valid reasons for a card issuer to decline a transaction. Knowing these reasons helps you handle your card responsibilities well.

Rejections often come with specific codes that merchants use to understand the problem. These codes can point out issues like not enough money, suspicious activity, or wrong information. This can help you identify the issue and determine steps to address it.

Each failed transaction is accompanied by a two-digit credit card decline code, which can help you identify the issue and determine steps to address it.

Decline Types

There are two main types of issuer declines: soft declines and hard declines.

Soft declines are usually temporary and can be fixed, like network errors or not enough funds.

Hard declines are more serious, indicating issues like a closed account or fraud suspicions, making it impossible for the issuer to approve the transaction.

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You can reduce the likelihood of declines by implementing decline management processes to cut down on payment failures and automating alerts or creating a system that communicates errors to customers in time for them to update their payment information.

There are two ways to recover from a hard decline: getting new payment details from the customer or retrying the transaction on a different card.

Here's a breakdown of the two types of declines:

Decline Codes and Error Messages

Decline codes and error messages can be a mystery to merchants, but understanding them is key to reducing card issuer rejections.

Card issuer declines can be classified into two categories: soft declines and hard declines. Soft declines are temporary payment failures that can often be resolved by retrying the transaction, while hard declines are permanent payment failures that require new payment details from the customer.

A soft decline occurs when a card insurer places a temporary hold on the credit card transaction, often due to insufficient funds or network connectivity issues. In some cases, a soft decline can be resolved by retrying the merchant declined transaction.

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Here are some common decline codes and their rejection reasons:

Understanding these codes can help merchants figure out why a credit card application was denied and take steps to resolve the issue.

Decline Impact and Consequences

A declined payment can mean lost revenue for merchants, which can be a significant blow to their business. This is especially true when it's not their fault.

A declined credit card transaction can result in chargeback fees, which can add up quickly. The card issuer will also add the rejected transaction to your chargeback ratio, which can lead to a higher rate.

A high chargeback ratio can classify a merchant as high risk, making it harder to get merchant account services. This can be a major issue for businesses that rely heavily on credit card transactions.

Here are some alternative payment methods that merchants can offer to customers:

  • PayPal
  • Digital wallets
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Instalments
  • Cash
  • ACH transfers

By offering alternative payment methods, merchants can help customers complete transactions and avoid further issues.

Consequences of Merchant Declines

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Decline Impact and Consequences are a significant concern for merchants. A credit card issuer rejection can result in lost revenue from the lost sale.

Customers often blame the merchant for a credit card decline, even if the fault lies with the customer. This can lead to a disgruntled customer who may be unwilling to return.

Chargeback fees are added by the card issuer for rejected credit card transactions. This can increase a merchant's chargeback ratio, making it harder to get merchant account services.

A high chargeback ratio can classify a merchant as high risk, which can have serious consequences for their business. The chargeback ratio is a key factor in determining a merchant's risk level.

Merchants can help resolve denied transactions by explaining to customers why their card was denied. This can help the customer understand that it wasn't the merchant's fault.

Alternative payment methods can be offered to customers, such as PayPal, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, instalments, cash, and ACH transfers.

Mitigating the Impact

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Card issuer rejection can hurt a business's profits and make customers unhappy. But, merchants can act early to lessen the blow and make checkouts smoother.

One of the common reasons why a customer's credit card may be declined is due to insufficient funds. The issuer will check if the customer has sufficient funds to pay for the transaction, and if not, they won't authorize it.

If a customer's credit limit is $3,000 and they have a $2,500 balance, trying to purchase goods worth $1,000 won't be authorized. This is because the issuer doesn't want to put the customer over their credit card limit.

You can always request your customers to pay with an alternative payment method such as cash or another card. Mobile payment processing options or the use of apps like PayPal can also work in such a scenario.

Offering customers alternative payment options can help prevent the loss of revenue due to the lost sale. For instance, you can let such customers pay in instalments or provide "buy now pay later" arrangements.

Decline Prevention and Protection

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Decline prevention and protection is crucial to avoid financial losses and save customer's face. Merchants can reduce the likelihood of declines by implementing decline management processes to cut down on payment failures.

There are two types of declines: hard declines, which are permanent payment failures, and soft declines, which are temporary payment failures. Merchants can automate alerts or create a system that communicates errors to customers in time for them to update their payment information.

To avoid card issuer rejections, merchants should have strategies in place, including checking card details, using strong security, and knowing how credit scores affect approval chances. This can be done by following the steps merchants can take, which include figuring out why the card was rejected and what the rejection code means.

Here are some key strategies to prevent declines:

  • Implement decline management processes
  • Automate alerts or create a system to communicate errors to customers
  • Check card details, use strong security, and know how credit scores affect approval chances
  • Use tech like tokenization to stop chargebacks and fraud

Protection Strategies

To avoid card issuer rejections, it's key to have strategies in place. This includes checking card details, using strong security, and knowing how your credit score affects approval chances. Avoiding repeated attempts without solving the issue can also help prevent more declines.

A close-up of a man holding a wallet containing credit cards and an ID inside a room.
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Hard declines are permanent payment failures, so you'll need to get new payment details from the customer. Merchants can reduce the likelihood of declines by implementing decline management processes.

Soft declines are temporary payment failures, and if you can pinpoint the error behind them, you can take steps to overcome it and likely see the transaction succeed. You can automate alerts or create a system that communicates errors to customers in time for them to update their payment information.

Merchants can reduce the likelihood of declines in two ways: by implementing decline management processes and by automating alerts or creating a system that communicates errors to customers.

Decline management processes can help cut down on payment failures.

Here are some key strategies to avoid card issuer rejections:

Steps for Merchants

To prevent declines, merchants need to figure out why the card was rejected and what the rejection code means. This lets them help customers fix any wrong card info or contact their card companies.

Merchants can use technology like tokenization to stop chargebacks and fraud, keeping the business and customers safe.

Decline Resolution and Decoding

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Card issuer rejections can be frustrating, especially when you're unsure why they happened. Knowing how these rejections work, the types, and reasons can lessen their impact on your transactions.

Decline codes are two-digit numbers that can help you identify the issue and determine steps to address it. Each failed transaction is accompanied by a specific code.

To prevent unnecessary churn, merchants should consider implementing tools and best practices, such as double-checking card details and tokenizing payment details for frequent customers.

The best way to resolve a declined transaction is to call the issuer for further information or assistance, as indicated by the "Declined - Call Issuer" response.

There are two main types of issuer declines: soft declines and hard declines. Soft declines are usually temporary and can be fixed, like network errors or not enough funds, while hard declines are more serious, indicating issues like a closed account or fraud suspicions.

Decline codes can point out issues like not enough money, suspicious activity, or wrong information, helping you figure out why a credit card application was denied.

Decline Causes and Investigation

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Most card issuer rejections are initiated by the card issuing bank or financial institution for reasons related to cardholder behavior.

The card limit has been reached or exceeded, leading to a decline in transactions.

Card issuers may decline transactions if the account has insufficient funds (NSF) or if the card is a debit card and the bank account connected to it doesn't have enough money to cover the transaction amount.

If a cardholder enters their information incorrectly at checkout, the CVV or AVS authentication may experience an error, resulting in a decline.

Card issuers also decline transactions if the card is expired, has been reported lost or stolen, or is being used outside of the normal geographic area for that customer.

These are just a few common reasons for card issuer rejections, and understanding them can help you investigate and resolve the issue quickly.

Decline Causes and Investigation

Declines can be caused by a variety of reasons, including soft declines and hard declines. Soft declines occur when a card insurer places a temporary hold on the credit card transaction, often due to insufficient funds or network connectivity issues.

Close-up of a hand holding a credit card near a laptop for an online transaction.
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Card issuer declines can be classified into two categories: soft and hard. Soft declines are temporary payment failures that can be overcome with the right approach, while hard declines are permanent payment failures that require new payment details from the customer.

One of the main reasons for card issuer rejections is incorrect billing information. A typo in the account number or an incorrect CVV code can cause a denial because the card issuer could not match the input to an account in its system.

Card issuer rejections are also initiated by the card issuing bank or financial institution for several reasons, including cardholder behavior. The card limit has been reached or exceeded, the account has insufficient funds, or the CVV or AVS authentication experiences an error.

Declines can also occur due to expired or lost/stolen cards, which are blocked by the issuer to prevent unauthorized use. Keeping your card details up to date is crucial to avoid this.

Invalid transaction amounts can also lead to declines, where the amount requested for the transaction is invalid or exceeds the limits set by the card issuer. You can resolve this by identifying the spending cap or transaction limit on your card and asking your issuer to increase the limit.

An Elderly Man Holding His Mobile Phone and a Credit Card
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Declines can be further categorized into two types: hard and soft declines. Hard declines are permanent payment failures, while soft declines are temporary payment failures that can be overcome with the right approach.

To reduce the likelihood of declines, merchants can implement decline management processes and automate alerts to communicate errors to customers in time for them to update their payment information.

Here are some common reasons for card issuer rejections:

  • Insufficient funds
  • Exceeding credit limit
  • Incorrect CVV or AVS authentication
  • Expired or lost/stolen cards
  • Invalid transaction amounts

It's essential to investigate the cause of a decline to determine the best course of action. By understanding the reasons behind a decline, you can take steps to resolve the issue and prevent future declines.

Suspicious Activities & Fraud

Card issuers may block transactions that seem suspicious or could be fraudulent. This is to protect you and the bank.

If you make unusual purchases or buy something big in a new place, your card might be declined. Knowing about these security steps is important.

Making a Payment With a Debit Card
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Issuers may reject a transaction if the account is flagged for fraud or suspicious activity, such as unusual spending patterns or potential unauthorized purchases. Advanced fraud detection systems can sometimes mistakenly flag legitimate transactions as suspicious, leading to declines.

Fraud is always classified as a hard decline because credit card issuers prioritize protecting their customers from unauthorized transactions. While frustrating, this type of payment failure is often resolvable with proper communication and guidance.

To resolve a transaction declined for suspected fraud, you may need to notify the buyer promptly and suggest they verify their billing information. If no errors are found, customers will need to contact the financial institution directly to resolve the problem and authorize the transaction.

Here are some common reasons for issuer declines due to suspicious activities and fraud:

Issuers may also block transactions that seem suspicious due to card issuer rejections, such as when the card limit has been reached or exceeded, or if the account has insufficient funds.

Cardholder Restriction

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Cardholder restriction is a common reason for declined transactions.

If you're not the cardholder, the solution is to ask the cardholder to lift any restrictions on the card.

Cardholders might have frozen their card temporarily to prevent unauthorized use, or set a spending cap to control their expenses.

In such cases, adding a different card to your account can be a convenient alternative.

Decline and Business

Card issuer declines can be frustrating for merchants, resulting in lost revenue and a damaged relationship with the customer.

Most customers will blame the merchant for a credit card decline, even if the fault lies with the cardholder. This can lead to a disgruntled customer who may be unwilling to return.

A card issuer rejection also results in chargeback fees, which can be a significant financial burden for merchants. The card issuer will add the rejected credit card transaction to your chargeback ratio, which can lead to a higher rate.

Here are some alternative payment methods that merchants can offer to customers:

  • PayPal
  • Digital wallets
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Instalments
  • Cash
  • ACH transfers

By offering alternative payment methods, merchants can help customers complete transactions and reduce the risk of chargeback fees.

What Rejections Mean for My Business

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A card issuer rejection can be a major problem for your business, resulting in lost revenue and a damaged relationship with the customer. It's often not your fault, but the customer will blame you anyway.

Most customers will blame the merchant for a credit card decline even if the fault may be the customer's. This can lead to a disgruntled customer who may be unwilling to return.

A card issuer rejection also results in chargeback fees, which can add up quickly. The card issuer will also add the rejected credit card transaction to your chargeback ratio, which can make it harder for your business to get merchant account services.

The types of card issuer rejections include soft declines and hard declines. Soft declines occur when a card insurer places a temporary hold on the credit card transaction, often due to insufficient funds or network connectivity issues.

Here are the main consequences of issuer declines for merchants:

  • Lost revenue from the lost sale
  • Disgruntled customers who may not return
  • Chargeback fees
  • A higher chargeback ratio, which can make it harder to get merchant account services

To minimize the impact of card issuer rejections, it's essential to understand the reasons behind them. Soft declines can often be resolved by retrying the merchant declined transaction, while hard declines require more serious action.

Bank Decline BECU

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If your BECU card is declined, it's likely due to a temporary issue that can be resolved with a retry. BECU card declines can occur when the card issuer places a temporary hold on the transaction, often due to network connectivity issues or insufficient funds.

A soft decline is a common reason for a BECU card to be declined, and it's usually resolved by retrying the transaction. However, if the decline is due to a more serious issue like fraud, it's considered a hard decline and may not be resolved with a retry.

Here are some possible reasons why your BECU card may be declined:

  • Inadequate funds
  • Going over your credit limit
  • Questionable behavior
  • Out-of-date card information
  • Restrictions based on your region

If your BECU card is declined, you should contact BECU directly to discuss the issue and find a solution. They can provide you with more information about the reason for the decline and help you resolve the issue.

Decline and Customer

A card issuer rejection can be frustrating for both merchants and customers. Merchants need to understand the reasons why credit card issuer declines happen so that they can help resolve them before they occur.

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Most customers will blame the merchant for a credit card decline even if the fault may be the customers. This leaves the merchant with a disgruntled customer who may be unwilling to return.

Merchants should attempt to handle denied transactions in light of the available information and assist the consumer in completing the transaction. To let the customer realize that it wasn’t your fault, you can begin by explaining to them why their card was denied.

Ask them if they would be willing to use a different payment method to complete the transaction after that. Examples of alternative payment methods that you can have for customers include PayPal, digital wallets, cryptocurrency, instalments, cash, and ACH transfers.

Here are some common reasons why customers may blame the merchant for a credit card decline:

  • Lost revenue from the lost sale
  • Chargeback fees
  • A card issuer rejection also results in a higher chargeback ratio which can make it harder for your business to get merchant account services

Helping the cardholder get in touch with their credit card company can resolve some of the rejection issues with timely communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does issuer not available mean?

Card issuer not available means the bank that issued your card is unreachable, preventing transaction authorization. Try re-processing the transaction or contact your bank for assistance

What does declined by bank mean?

A declined transaction by your bank may be due to various reasons, such as an inactive card, exceeding daily limits, or insufficient funds. Check your account details and contact your bank for more information on why your transaction was declined.

What does transaction declined by issuer mean?

A transaction declined by the issuer means the bank or card company has refused to authorize the payment due to potential issues with your account or suspected fraud. This is different from a soft decline, which may allow you to retry the transaction.

Why is my card declined even though I have money?

Your card may be declined due to suspected fraud, even if you have available credit, as the card company wants to protect itself from potential losses. If you're experiencing this issue, it's likely a security measure to verify the transaction.

How do I contact the card issuer?

To contact your card issuer, call the phone number on the back of your credit card. This will connect you to their customer service hub, where you can select the purpose of your call.

Timothy Gutkowski-Stoltenberg

Senior Writer

Timothy Gutkowski-Stoltenberg is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he has established himself as a versatile and reliable voice in the industry. His writing portfolio showcases a breadth of expertise, with a particular focus on the freight market trends.

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