Reasons for card payment rejection

A bank card payment may be declined for many reasons related to the card itself, as well as the actions of the bank, merchant, or payment system. Let's look at the main reasons why a transaction may be declined.

1. Problems related to the card​

a. Insufficient funds​

• Description: There are not enough funds on the card account to make the purchase.
• What to do:
  • Check your card balance.
  • Top up your account or use another card.

b. Expired card​

• Description: The card is no longer valid because its expiration date has expired.
• What to do:
  • Replace your card with a new one at the bank.
  • Please make sure that the expiration date is correct when entering the details.

c. Card blocking​

• Description: The bank blocked the card due to suspicious activity or owner's request.
• What to do:
  • Contact your bank to unblock your card.
  • Make sure that the card has not been blocked due to loss or theft.

d. Card restrictions​

• Description: The card may have restrictions on certain types of transactions (for example, online payments or international purchases).
• What to do:
  • Check the terms of use of the card in the agreement with the bank.
  • Disable restrictions through the bank's mobile app or contact center.

e. Incorrectly entered data​

• Description: The card owner made an error when entering the card number, CVV, expiration date or other data.
• What to do:
  • Please check that the entered data is correct.
  • Please try paying again.

2. Problems on the bank's side​

a. Suspicious activity​

• Description: The bank detected a suspicious transaction and blocked it to protect the client.
• What to do:
  • Please contact your bank to confirm the transaction.
  • Make sure your card has not been compromised.

b. Transaction limits​

• Description: The bank has set limits on the amount or number of transactions for a certain period.
• What to do:
  • Check the set limits in the mobile application or through the contact center.
  • Increase limits if necessary (if possible).

c. Technical failures in the bank​

• Description: Temporary problems with the bank's systems may result in transactions being rejected.
• What to do:
  • Please wait a while and try again.
  • Check with your bank to see if there are any technical problems.

d. Unconfirmed transaction​

• Description: Some transactions require confirmation via SMS code or push notification, which was not received or entered incorrectly.
• What to do:
  • Check if you have received a confirmation code.
  • Make sure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled.

3. Problems on the merchant's side​

a. Merchant restrictions​

• Description: The merchant may not accept payments from certain types of cards (for example, only Visa, but not Mastercard).
• What to do:
  • Check which cards are accepted on the website or in the store.
  • Use another card.

b. Exceeding the merchant limit​

• Description: A merchant may have limits on the amount of a single transaction or the total amount of transactions per day.
• What to do:
  • Split your purchase into several parts.
  • Please contact your merchant to clarify the limits.

c. Terminal problems​

• Description: The POS terminal or merchant site may not work correctly.
• What to do:
  • Please try your purchase later.
  • Report the problem to the merchant.

4. Problems with the payment system​

a. Technical failures​

• Description: Payment system (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) may temporarily disable transaction processing due to technical problems.
• What to do:
  • Please wait and try again later.
  • Check the status of the payment system through official channels.

b. Inactive payment system​

• Description: The payment system may temporarily suspend work with a certain bank or region.
• What to do:
  • Use a card from another payment system.
  • Wait until the work is restored.

5. International transactions​

a. Blocking international purchases​

• Description: The bank may block transactions abroad to protect against fraud.
• What to do:
  • Enable international transactions through your bank.
  • Notify your bank of any planned foreign purchases.

b. Currency Conversion​

• Description: The transaction may be declined due to currency conversion issues.
• What to do:
  • Make sure your card supports the purchase currency.
  • Use a card with a multi-currency account.

6. Fraud and fraud monitoring​

a. Suspected fraud​

• Description: A bank or payment system may reject a transaction if it appears suspicious (for example, a large amount or an unusual location).
• What to do:
  • Please contact your bank to confirm the legitimacy of the transaction.
  • Avoid suspicious activities such as using public Wi-Fi networks to make payments.

b. Phishing or compromised sites​

• Description: Payment may be declined if the security system has identified the site as dangerous.
• What to do:
  • Check the site's reputation before making a purchase.
  • Use only proven platforms.

7. Other reasons​

a. Internet connection problems​

• Description: When paying online, internet problems may result in transaction failure.
• What to do:
  • Check the stability of your internet connection.
  • Please try again after the connection is restored.

b. Merchant data entry error​

• Description: The seller may have entered incorrect card details when placing the order.
• What to do:
  • Check with the merchant to make sure the entered data is correct.
  • Check your check or receipt.

c. Payment not confirmed by 3D Secure​

• Description: If the site requires additional authentication (3D Secure) but it is not completed, the transaction will be rejected.
• What to do:
  • Please make sure you have completed all verification steps.
  • Check if your bank supports 3D Secure.

8. What to do if the transaction is declined?​

1. Check card details:
   • Please make sure all data is entered correctly.
   • Check your card balance and expiration date.
2. Contact the bank:
   • Please clarify the reason for the transaction rejection.
   • Unblock the card if necessary.
3. Try another card:
   • If the problem persists, use another card.
4. Contact the merchant:
   • Check if there are any problems on their side.
5. Wait until the systems are restored:
   • If the problem is caused by technical problems, please try again later.

9. Conclusion​

Card payment rejection can be caused by many factors, ranging from insufficient funds in the account to security systems. To minimize the likelihood of rejection, follow these recommendations:

• Check your card balance and limits.
• Use reliable sites and terminals.
• Notify the bank of planned purchases in a timely manner.

If you have any additional questions about the reasons for payment rejection or how to resolve the issue, please ask!

Common Reasons for Card Payment Rejection & Solutions​

Payment declines can occur due to issues with your card, bank, merchant, or payment processor. Below are the most frequent causes and how to fix them.

1. Card-Related Issues​

① Insufficient Funds​

• Error Codes: 51, INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS, DECLINED
• Fix:
  • Check your balance (including pending transactions).
  • Some merchants place a temporary hold (e.g., hotels, car rentals).

② Expired Card​

• Error Codes: 54, EXPIRED_CARD
• Fix: Update card details in your account.

③ Incorrect Card Details​

• Error Codes: V4 (Visa, wrong CVV), MC3 (Mastercard, invalid expiry)
• Fix:
  • Re-enter CVV, expiry date, and card number.
  • Remove extra spaces in the card number.

④ Card Blocked by Bank​

• Error Codes: 41 (lost/stolen), 43 (fraud suspected)
• Fix:
  • Call your bank to unblock.
  • Confirm recent transactions.

2. Bank Restrictions​

① Transaction Limits​

• Error Codes: 61, EXCEEDS_WITHDRAWAL_LIMIT
• Fix:
  • Increase daily limits via mobile banking.
  • Split payment into smaller amounts.

② International Payments Disabled​

• Error Codes: REGION_BLOCK, MC4 (Mastercard geo-block)
• Fix:
  • Enable international transactions in your bank app.
  • Use a VPN (if merchant restricts your country).

③ Bank’s Fraud Protection​

• Error Codes: DO_NOT_HONOR, FRAUD_DETECTED
• Fix:
  • Approve transaction via SMS/App (3D Secure).
  • Whitelist the merchant with your bank.

3. Merchant/Payment Processor Issues​

① Unsupported Card Type​

• Error Codes: UNSUPPORTED_CARD, CARD_TYPE_INVALID
• Fix:
  • Try Visa/Mastercard (some merchants reject Amex, Discover, or MIR).
  • Use PayPal or Apple Pay/Google Pay as an alternative.

② High-Risk Merchant​

• Error Codes: RISK_DECLINE, MERCHANT_BLOCK
• Fix:
  • Some banks block gambling, crypto, or adult sites.
  • Use a virtual card (Revolut, Wise).

③ Processor Decline (Technical Glitch)​

• Error Codes: PROCESSOR_ERROR, GATEWAY_TIMEOUT
• Fix:
  • Wait 10-15 mins and retry.
  • Contact merchant support.

4. User-Related Issues​

① Too Many Failed Attempts​

• Error Codes: 65, TOO_MANY_ATTEMPTS
• Fix: Wait 1-2 hours before retrying.

② Billing/Shipping Mismatch​

• Error Codes: AVS_MISMATCH, BILLING_ADDRESS_INVALID
• Fix:
  • Enter the exact billing address linked to your card.
  • Disable AVS check (if merchant allows).

🛠 Quick Fixes for Any Decline​

Try a different card (debit/credit)
Use Apple Pay/Google Pay (bypasses some restrictions)
Pay via PayPal (acts as a buffer)
Call your bank for exact decline reason

When to Worry?​

If multiple cards fail on different sites:

1. Check for bank outages (Downdetector).
2. Rule out card skimming (request a new card).
3. Verify no identity theft (check credit report).

Need help with a specific error code? Reply with the exact message!

Reasons for Card Payment Rejection​

Card payments can be declined for a variety of reasons, which can be frustrating for users. Here are some common causes of payment rejections:

1. Insufficient Funds​

One of the most frequent reasons for a card payment rejection is that there are not enough funds in the account to cover the transaction. The card issuer checks the available balance before approving the payment.

2. Expired Card​

If the card has expired, any attempt to use it for payment will be declined. Always check the expiration date on your card before making a transaction.

3. Credit Limit Exceeded​

For credit cards, if you have reached or exceeded your credit limit, the transaction will be declined. This can happen if you have not been notified of a recent credit limit decrease.

4. Suspicion of Fraud​

Card issuers may decline transactions if they detect suspicious activity that could indicate fraud. This is a protective measure to prevent unauthorized transactions.

5. Incorrect Billing Information​

If the billing information entered during the transaction does not match the information on file with the card issuer, the payment may be rejected. This includes discrepancies in the name, address, or postal code.

6. Technical Issues​

Sometimes, technical problems can lead to payment rejections. This could be due to issues with the payment processing system, such as a malfunctioning card reader or connectivity problems.

7. Holds or Blocks on the Card​

Certain businesses, like hotels or rental car companies, may place a hold on your card for an estimated total amount. This can temporarily reduce your available balance and lead to declines if you attempt to make additional purchases.

8. Authentication Errors​

If the transaction requires additional authentication (like a PIN or biometric verification) and this step is not completed successfully, the payment may be declined.

Conclusion​

Understanding these common reasons for card payment rejections can help you troubleshoot issues more effectively. If you encounter a decline, it's often best to check your account balance, verify your card details, and contact your bank or card issuer for assistance.