Chargebacks, also known as disputes, occur when a cardholder questions a transaction, initiating a process where the merchant may need to provide evidence or accept the chargeback. Each dispute is linked to a reason code, specifying the rationale behind the chargeback.

Understanding dispute categories, how they are classified, and how to interpret the key components of each dispute is essential for effective management. Properly interpreting this data helps take the appropriate actions and reduce the occurrence of future conflicts.

Key concepts

Four key concepts are central to interpreting dispute categories. Each concept plays a vital role in understanding the dispute process and ensuring appropriate responses.

Concept	Explanation
Classification by network or country	Disputes are categorized based on the network regulations (e.g., Visa, Mastercard) or the country where the payment was processed (some countries, like Mexico, have their own regulations for local transactions). This classification determines the rules and codes applied to the transaction.
Reason code categories	Reason codes are grouped into broad categories. These categories help organize disputes by type, such as fraud, authorization issues, or processing errors. These categories are informational and not returned in dispute responses.
Reason code	A numeric or alphanumeric code that explains the specific reason for the chargeback. This code may change depending on the card network or country.
Reason description	A detailed explanation that clarifies about the chargeback reason code.

Chargeback reason code

Mexico Domestic Visa Mastercard Elo Verve American Express

Reason code	Category	Reason description
71	Authorization Issues	Authorization declined.
72	Authorization Issues	Exceeds authorized amount.
75	Authorization Issues	Authorization does not exist.
60	Documentation and Process Errors	Illegible or incorrect document.
74	Documentation and Process Errors	Late submission.
79	Documentation and Process Errors	Promissory note not received.
84	Documentation and Process Errors	Missing signature.
92	Documentation and Process Errors	Irregular payment activity.
RT	Documentation and Process Errors	Request for promissory note.
57	Fraud and Unauthorized	Unauthorized multiple charges.
68	Fraud and Unauthorized	Fraudulent remote transaction.
70	Fraud and Unauthorized	Card reported.
63	Miscellaneous	Chip (EMV) transaction.
76	Miscellaneous	Toll charges.
41	Refunds and Cancellations	Canceled periodic charge.
85	Refunds and Cancellations	Refund not processed.
94	Refunds and Cancellations	Reservation cancellation.
64	Transaction and Processing Errors	Manual transaction.
80	Transaction and Processing Errors	Process error.
82	Transaction and Processing Errors	Duplicate processing.
86	Transaction and Processing Errors	Altered amount.

Reason code	Category	Reason description
10.1	Fraud	EMV Liability Shift Counterfeit Fraud.
10.2	Fraud	EMV Liability Shift Non-Counterfeit Fraud.
10.3	Fraud	Other Fraud: Card-Present Environment/Condition.
10.4	Fraud	Other Fraud: Card-absent Environment/Condition.
10.5	Fraud	Visa Fraud Monitoring Program.
11.1	Authorization	Card Recovery Bulletin.
11.2	Authorization	Declined Authorization.
11.3	Authorization	No Authorization.
12.1	Processing Errors	Late Presentment.
12.2	Processing Errors	Incorrect Transaction Code.
12.3	Processing Errors	Incorrect Currency.
12.4	Processing Errors	Incorrect Account Number.
12.5	Processing Errors	Incorrect Amount.
12.6.1	Processing Errors	Duplicate Processing.
12.6.2	Processing Errors	Paid by Other Means.
12.7	Processing Errors	Invalid Data.
13.1	Customer Disputes	Merchandise/Services Not Received.
13.2	Customer Disputes	Canceled Recurring Transaction.
13.3	Customer Disputes	Not as Described or Defective Merchandise/Services.
13.4	Customer Disputes	Counterfeit Merchandise.
13.5	Customer Disputes	Misrepresentation.
13.6	Customer Disputes	Credit Not Processed.
13.7	Customer Disputes	Cancelled Merchandise/Services.
13.8	Customer Disputes	Original Credit Transaction Not Accepted.
13.9	Customer Disputes	Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction Value.
None	Unrecognized	Unrecognized

Reason code	Category	Reason description
4808	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Warning Bulletin File.
4808	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Authorization-Related Chargeback.
4808	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Account Number Not on File.
4808	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Required Authorization Not Obtained.
4808	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Expired Chargeback Protection Period.
4808	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Multiple Authorization Requests.
4834	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Cardholder-Activated Terminal (CAT) 3 Device.
4834	Authorization-Related Chargebacks	Late Presentment.
4834	Point of Interaction Error	Point of Interaction Error.
4834	Point of Interaction Error	Transaction Amount Differs.
4834	Point of Interaction Error	Point-of-Interaction Currency Conversion.
4834	Point of Interaction Error	Duplication/Paid by Other Means.
4834	Point of Interaction Error	ATM Disputes.
4837	Loss, Theft, or Damages	No Cardholder Authorization/Fraud-related Chargebacks.
4849	Loss, Theft, or Damages	No Cardholder Authorization.
4870	Loss, Theft, or Damages	Questionable Merchant Activity.
4871	Loss, Theft, or Damages	Chip Liability Shift.
4871	Loss, Theft, or Damages	Chip/PIN Liability Shift-Lost/Stolen/Never Received Issue (NRI) Fraud.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Cardholder Dispute of a Recurring Transaction.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Goods or Services Not Provided.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	No-Show Hotel Charge.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Addendum Dispute.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Credit Not Processed.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Goods/Services not as Described or Defective.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Digital Goods $25 or less.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Counterfeit Goods.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Transaction Did Not Complete.
4853	Cardholder Disputes	Credit Posted as a Purchase.
4850	Installment Billing Dispute	Installment Billing Dispute.
4854	Cardholder Dispute Not Classified Elsewhere	Cardholder Dispute Not Classified Elsewhere (US).
4807	Legacy Codes	Warning Bulletin File.
4812	Legacy Codes	Account Number Not on File.
4859	Legacy Codes	No Show/Addendum/ATM Dispute.
4860	Legacy Codes	Credit Not Processed.
None	Unrecognized	Unrecognized

Reason code	Category	Reason description
75	Cardholder does not Recognize	Unauthorized transaction.
83	Card Absent Fraud	Unauthorized remote transaction.
30	Services Not Rendered	Goods/services not received.
41	Cardholder Canceled Recurring Transaction	Recurring charges after cancellation.
53	Goods Not As Described	Goods/services not as described.
74	Sem autorizacao do portador do cartao	Late submission.
77	Non Matching Account Number	Invalid account number.
80	Processing Error	Terminal processing error.
82	Duplicate Processing	Duplicate transaction.
85	Credit Not Processed	Credit not processed.
None	Unrecognized	Unrecognized

Reason code	Category	Reason description
AA	Chargeback	Unrecognized card transaction.
AP	Chargeback	Recurring payments post-cancellation.
AT	Chargeback	Declined/Missing authorization or Expired Card.
AW	Chargeback	Altered amount or incorrect funds dispensed.
DCC	Chargeback	Pre-Arbiter 2.0 disputes.
IN	Chargeback	Invalid card number.
LP	Chargeback	Late transaction submission.
NF	Chargeback	ATM did not dispense cash, but account charged.
PM	Chargeback	Charged for a transaction paid with another method.
RG	Chargeback	Non-receipt of goods or services.
TM	Chargeback	Settled but auto dispute raise because of confirmation missing.
UA01	Chargeback	Fraud claim for card-present transaction.
UA02	Chargeback	Fraud claim for card-not-present transaction.
UA05	Chargeback	Fraud claim with counterfeit card in chip transaction.
UA06	Chargeback	Fraud claim involving stolen card in chip transaction.
None	Unrecognized	Unrecognized

Reason code	Category	Reason description
4521	Authorization	Invalid Authorisation.
4755	Authorization	No Valid Authorisation.
4513	Consumer disputes	Credit Not Presented.
4515	Consumer disputes	Paid Through Other Means.
4544	Consumer disputes	Cancellation Of Recurring Goods / Services.
4553	Consumer disputes	Not As Described Or Defective Merchandise.
4554	Consumer disputes	Goods And Services Not Received.
4750	Consumer disputes	Car Rental Charge Non Qualified Or Unsubstantiated.
4527	Fraud	Missing Imprint.
4534	Fraud	Multiple ROCs.
4540	Fraud	Card Not Present.
4763	Fraud	Fraud Full Recourse.
4798	Fraud	Fraud Liability Shift – Counterfeit.
4799	Fraud	Fraud Liability Shift - Lost/Stolen/Non-Received.
4507	Processing errors	Incorrect Transaction Amount or Primary Account Number (PAN) Presented.
4512	Processing errors	Multiple Processing.
4523	Processing errors	Unassigned Card Member Account Number.
4530	Processing errors	Currency Discrepancy.
4536	Processing errors	Late Presentment.
4752	Processing errors	Credit / Debit Presentment Error.
4516	Inquiry / Miscellaneous	Request For Support Not Fulfilled.
4517	Inquiry / Miscellaneous	Request For Support Illegible / Incomplete.
4754	Inquiry / Miscellaneous	Local Regulatory / Legal Dispute.
None	Unrecognized	Unrecognized