Visa chargeback codes aren’t just strings of numbers and letters. They’re clues. Each one tells a story — what went wrong in a transaction, why the bank sided with the cardholder, and what kind of evidence you’ll need to reverse it.
But if you don’t understand the code, you can’t fight the chargeback. Worse, you might send the wrong documents or miss the real issue altogether.
This guide will help you make sense of Visa chargeback reason codes, one by one. We'll break them down by category and include examples so you can respond the right way, right away.
Fraud-Related Visa Chargeback Codes
These codes apply when Visa suspects the transaction wasn’t authorized by the cardholder.
10.1 – EMV Liability Shift Counterfeit Fraud
What it means: The transaction involved a counterfeit card, and the merchant didn’t support chip (EMV) technology.
Example: A fraudster used a cloned magnetic stripe card at your terminal, which didn’t use EMV tech.
10.2 – EMV Liability Shift Non-Counterfeit Fraud
What it means: The card was real, but the purchase wasn’t authorized by the true cardholder — again, your terminal didn’t support EMV.
Example: A stolen chip card was used in your store, but you only used swipe.
10.3 – Other Fraud – Card Present Environment
What it means: A face-to-face transaction was reported as unauthorized by the cardholder.
Example: A customer says someone else used their card in your retail store without their permission.
10.4 – Other Fraud – Card Absent Environment
What it means: The 10.4 means that he cardholder claims they didn’t authorize a transaction made online or over the phone.
Example: A stolen card was used on your website, and the cardholder disputed it.
10.5 – Visa Fraud Monitoring Program
What it means: A dispute was automatically initiated based on Visa’s fraud monitoring program, tools, or thresholds.
Example: Your merchant account triggered too many fraud chargebacks in a short period.
Authorization-Related Visa Chargeback Codes
These codes focus on issues with transaction authorization, before the sale was even approved.
11.1 – Card Recovery Bulletin
What it means: The card was listed in Visa’s bulletins as lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised, but you accepted it anyway.
Example: Your staff keyed in a transaction from a flagged card without checking the bulletin.
11.2 – Declined Authorization
What it means: The transaction was declined by the issuer, but you processed it anyway.
Example: The POS system bypassed the decline, or the sale was manually forced through.
11.3 – No Authorization
What it means: You never received authorization for the sale.
Example: You processed a recurring payment without confirming the card was still valid.
Processing Errors
This category is about technical or clerical mistakes during payment.
12.1 – Late Presentment
What it means: You waited too long to submit the transaction after authorization.
Example: You shipped a product three weeks after the card was charged, and the settlement occurred outside Visa’s required timeframe.
12.2 – Incorrect Transaction Code
What it means: The wrong transaction type was used, like processing a refund as a purchase.
Example: Your staff ran a return as a sale, confusing the cardholder.
12.3 – Incorrect Currency
What it means: The transaction was processed in the wrong currency.
Example: Your site listed prices in USD but charged in EUR without warning.
12.4 – Incorrect Account Number
What it means: The card number was entered incorrectly.
Example: Manual entry error led to charging a different cardholder altogether.
12.5 – Incorrect Amount
What it means: The transaction amount was wrong.
Example: A $30 product was mistakenly charged at $300.
12.6 – Duplicate Processing / Paid by Other Means
- 12.6a – Duplicate
- 12.6b – Paid by Other Means
What it means: The customer was charged twice or paid with a different method.
Example: You charged their card but also took cash, and never voided one.
12.7 – Invalid Data
What it means: Missing or corrupt transaction data.
Example: Your system failed to send proper AVS/CVV info or submitted a corrupted transaction file.
Consumer Disputes
These codes come up when the cardholder claims something about the product, service, or return wasn’t right.
13.1 – Merchandise/Services Not Received
What it means: The buyer didn’t receive what they paid for.
Example: The item was lost in shipping, or digital access was never granted.
13.2 – Canceled Recurring Transaction
What it means: You billed after the customer canceled their subscription.
Example: A customer canceled on March 15, but you still charged them in April.
13.3 – Not as Described or Defective
What it means: The product or service didn’t match the description or was damaged.
Example: Your site showed a leather wallet, but the buyer received one made of plastic.
13.4 – Counterfeit Merchandise
What it means: The buyer claims the item was fake.
Example: The cardholder ordered a “designer” bag, and your product turned out to be a knockoff.
13.5 – Misrepresentation of Terms
What it means: You advertised something that was misleading or changed the terms after purchase.
Example: Your “lifetime guarantee” had a fine print clause that limited it to 12 months.
13.6 – Credit Not Processed
What it means: The customer returned the item, but you didn’t refund them.
Example: You issued a refund late or not at all.
13.7 – Canceled Services
What it means: The buyer canceled a booking or appointment, but still got charged.
Example: They followed your 24-hour cancellation policy, but the fee still went through.
13.8 – Original Credit Transaction Not Accepted
What it means: A credit transfer (like a refund or money transfer) failed.
Example: Your attempt to send money back to the card didn’t go through.
FAQs About Visa Chargeback Reason Codes
What is a Visa chargeback reason code?
A Visa chargeback reason code is a numeric identifier that explains why a transaction was disputed. Each code gives you insight into the cardholder’s claim and what type of documentation Visa expects in your response.
Can merchants fight all Visa chargebacks?
Not always. Some chargebacks, especially ones flagged automatically due to fraud monitoring or expired timeframes, may be non-reversible. But most can be fought if you have the right evidence and respond within the deadline.
Where do I find the chargeback reason code?
You’ll find the reason code on the chargeback notice from your acquiring bank or payment processor. It usually appears alongside the dispute amount and case reference number.
Is the same code used by Mastercard or Amex?
No. Each card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) has its own list of reason codes. Some overlap in theme, but the formatting and requirements are different.
What’s the most common Visa chargeback reason code?
10.4 (Other Fraud – Card Absent Environment) and 13.1 (Merchandise/Services Not Received) are two of the most common codes for online businesses.
Do Visa codes ever change?
Yes. Visa occasionally updates its chargeback reason codes during policy revisions. Merchants should check for updates at least once a year or when new programs like CE 3.0 roll out.
Stop Guessing, Start Preventing
Fighting chargebacks starts with knowing what went wrong. But the better path is to stop them from happening at all.
That’s where Chargeblast comes in. We help merchants prevent chargebacks before they hit, by catching risky orders in real time, fixing weak refund flows, and keeping your win rates high when you do need to fight back.
If you're tired of vague reason codes, surprise disputes, and wasted effort, it’s time to automate your prevention strategy.
Talk to us at Chargeblast. We make chargebacks make sense.
