Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Status: Complete
Every chargeback is filed under a specific reason code that determines the nature of the dispute, required evidence for representment, and expected win rates. Understanding reason codes is essential for effective dispute management.
Quick Reference
Category Visa Codes Mastercard Codes Description Fraud 10.x 4837, 4863 Unauthorized transactions Authorization 11.x 4808, 4812 Auth issues Processing 12.x 4834, 4831 Merchant errors Consumer 13.x 4853, 4855 Service disputes
Reason Code Structure
Visa Reason Codes
Visa uses a hierarchical numbering system:
10.4 │ │ │ └── Sub-category (specific dispute type) └──── Category (fraud, auth, processing, consumer) Category Code Range Description Fraud 10.1 - 10.5 Fraudulent transactions Authorization 11.1 - 11.3 Authorization issues Processing Errors 12.1 - 12.7 Merchant mistakes Consumer Disputes 13.1 - 13.9 Service/product issues
Mastercard Reason Codes
Mastercard uses 4-digit codes:
Category Code Range Description Fraud 4837, 4863, 4871 Unauthorized transactions Authorization 4807, 4808, 4812 Authorization issues Point-of-Interaction 4834, 4831 Processing errors Cardholder Disputes 4853, 4855 Service disputes
Fraud Reason Codes (10.x / 48xx)
Fraud chargebacks are filed when the cardholder claims they did not authorize the transaction.
Visa Fraud Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 10.1 EMV Liability Shift Counterfeit Fraud Chip card used at non-chip terminal 10-15% 10.2 EMV Liability Shift Non-Counterfeit Fraud Lost/stolen chip card at non-chip terminal 10-15% 10.3 Other Fraud - Card-Present In-person fraud 15-20% 10.4 Other Fraud - Card-Not-Present Online/phone fraud 20-30% 10.5 Visa Fraud Monitoring Program VFMP-flagged fraud 5-10%
Mastercard Fraud Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 4837 No Cardholder Authorization Cardholder denies participation 20-25% 4863 Cardholder Does Not Recognize Transaction not recognized 25-30% 4871 Chip/PIN Liability Shift EMV liability shift 10-15%
Fighting Fraud Chargebacks
Fraud chargebacks are challenging because the cardholder claims they didn't make the purchase. Key evidence includes:
Evidence Type Strength Description 3D Secure Auth Strong Shifts liability to issuer AVS Full Match Medium Address matched issuer records CVV Match Medium Security code verified Device Fingerprint Medium Links to previous valid orders Prior Purchase History Medium Same customer made prior orders IP Geolocation Weak-Medium IP near billing address Email/Phone Match Weak Known customer contact info
3D Secure Liability Shift
When you use 3D Secure (3DS) and the transaction is authenticated, liability shifts to the issuer. Fraud chargebacks on 3DS-authenticated transactions should be represented with the authentication proof.
Authorization Reason Codes (11.x / 48xx)
Authorization chargebacks occur when there are issues with the authorization process.
Visa Authorization Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 11.1 Card Recovery Bulletin Card was on hot list 60-70% 11.2 Declined Authorization Auth was declined but transaction processed 70-80% 11.3 No Authorization No auth obtained 65-75%
Mastercard Authorization Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 4807 Warning Bulletin File Card on hot list 60-70% 4808 Authorization Required Not Obtained No valid auth 70-80% 4812 Account Number Not on File Invalid card number 75-85%
Fighting Authorization Chargebacks
Authorization chargebacks are often winnable if you have proper authorization records:
Evidence Type Description Authorization Code The auth code received at time of sale Authorization Log Full authorization request/response AVS/CVV Response Verification results Timestamp When authorization was obtained
Processing Error Codes (12.x / 48xx)
Processing error chargebacks result from merchant mistakes in processing the transaction.
Visa Processing Error Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 12.1 Late Presentment Transaction submitted too late 30-40% 12.2 Incorrect Transaction Code Wrong transaction type 50-60% 12.3 Incorrect Currency Wrong currency used 60-70% 12.4 Incorrect Account Number Wrong card number processed 70-80% 12.5 Incorrect Amount Amount different than agreed 60-70% 12.6 Duplicate Processing Same transaction twice 40-50% 12.7 Invalid Data Incorrect transaction data 50-60%
Mastercard Processing Error Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 4831 Transaction Amount Differs Amount doesn't match 60-70% 4834 Duplicate Processing Same transaction twice 45-55%
Fighting Processing Error Chargebacks
Processing errors often involve proving transactions are distinct or amounts are correct:
For Duplicate Claims Evidence Needed Two Valid Orders Separate order confirmations, tracking numbers Different Items Itemized receipts showing different products Different Dates Transaction timestamps Customer Acknowledgment Email confirming both orders
For Amount Disputes Evidence Needed Original Agreement Signed quote, order form Price List Published pricing Invoice Itemized invoice
Consumer Dispute Codes (13.x / 48xx)
Consumer disputes are filed when the cardholder has a complaint about the product or service received.
Visa Consumer Dispute Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 13.1 Merchandise/Services Not Received Customer didn't get what they paid for 40-60% 13.2 Cancelled Recurring Recurring charge after cancellation 30-50% 13.3 Not as Described/Defective Product different than expected 35-50% 13.4 Counterfeit Merchandise Fake goods 20-30% 13.5 Misrepresentation Misleading description 30-40% 13.6 Credit Not Processed Refund promised but not received 50-60% 13.7 Cancelled Merchandise/Services Cancelled but still charged 40-50% 13.8 Original Credit Transaction Not Accepted Original refund not applied 60-70% 13.9 Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Transaction ATM/load issues 50-60%
Mastercard Consumer Dispute Codes
Code Name Description Win Rate 4853 Cardholder Dispute General service/merchandise dispute 35-45% 4855 Goods or Services Not Provided Non-receipt of goods/services 40-55%
Fighting Consumer Dispute Chargebacks
Consumer disputes often have the best win rates when you have documentation:
For Non-Receipt (13.1 / 4855)
Evidence Type Strength Description Tracking Number Strong Carrier tracking showing delivery Delivery Confirmation Very Strong Signature or photo proof GPS Coordinates Very Strong Delivery location match Delivery Notification Medium Email/SMS delivery notification
For Not as Described (13.3 / 4853)
Evidence Type Strength Description Product Listing Strong Original description shown to customer Product Photos Strong Actual product matches listing Customer Communications Medium Customer didn't report issues Return Policy Medium Customer had opportunity to return
For Cancelled Recurring (13.2)
Evidence Type Strength Description Terms of Service Strong Cancellation policy shown at signup Cancellation Log Very Strong No cancellation request received Active Usage Strong Customer used service after claimed cancellation Notification Emails Medium Renewal notifications sent
Reason Code Quick Reference Chart
Most Common Codes
Rank Visa Mastercard Category 1 10.4 4837 Fraud 2 13.1 4855 Not Received 3 13.3 4853 Not as Described 4 13.2 4853 Cancelled Recurring 5 12.6 4834 Duplicate
Reason Code to Evidence Matrix
Code 3DS AVS CVV Tracking Proof of Delivery Terms 10.4 ★★★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★ - 4837 ★★★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★ - 13.1 - - - ★★★ ★★★ - 4855 - - - ★★★ ★★★ - 13.3 - - - - - ★★★ 13.2 - - - - - ★★★
★ = Somewhat helpful, ★★ = Helpful, ★★★ = Critical
Code Migration Between Networks
When working with multiple processors, it's helpful to understand code equivalents:
Dispute Type Visa Mastercard CNP Fraud 10.4 4837 Not Received 13.1 4855 Not as Described 13.3 4853 Duplicate 12.6 4834 Cancelled Recurring 13.2 4853 No Auth 11.3 4808 Credit Not Processed 13.6 4853
References