Visa Chargeback Codes

Chargeback Reason Codes for Visa

Following is the list of Chargeback Reason Codes used by Visa:

The codes listed below reflect Visa's legacy numeric reason code system. In 2018, Visa introduced the Visa Claims Resolution (VCR) framework, which reorganized disputes into four categories — Fraud, Authorization, Processing Errors, and Consumer Disputes — each with specific dispute conditions replacing the old numeric codes. Many processors and banks still reference the legacy codes in their notifications, and the underlying dispute types remain the same; VCR primarily changed the workflow and timelines rather than the nature of the disputes themselves.

Visa's chargeback monitoring programs are among the most consequential in the industry. The Visa Merchant Chargeback Monitoring Program (MCMP) triggers at 100+ chargebacks and a 1.0%+ ratio in a calendar month. The High-Risk Chargeback Monitoring Program (HRCMP) — which applies to merchants in MCCs 5962, 5966, 5967, and 7995 — begins fines immediately with no resolution period. Both programs can ultimately result in permanent disqualification from accepting Visa transactions.

Visa Chargeback Codes
Code	Category	Description
30	Non-Receipt of Goods or Services	Services Not Provided or Merchandise Not Received
41	Cancelled/Returned by Cardholder	Canceled Recurring Transaction
53	Cancelled/Returned by Cardholder	Not as Described or Defective
57	Fraud	Fraudulent Multiple Transactions
60	Request for Information	Requested Copy Illegible or Invalid
62	Fraud	Counterfeit Transaction
70	Authorization Error	Card Recovery Bulletin or Exception File
71	Authorization Error	Declined Authorization
72	Authorization Error	Transaction Exceeds Floor Limit
73	Authorization Error	Expired Card
74	Processing Error	Late Presentment
75	Request for Information	Transaction Not Recognized
76	Processing Error	Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code or Domestic
77	Authorization Error	Non-Matching Account Number
78	Processing Error	Service Code Violation
79	Request for Information	Requested Transaction Receipt
80	Processing Error	Incorrect Transaction Amount or Account Number
81	Fraud	Fraud - Card Present Environment
83	Fraud	Fraud - Card Absent Environment
85	Cancelled/Returned by Cardholder	Credit Not Processed
86	Processing Error	Paid by Other Means
90	Non-Receipt of Goods or Services	Non-Receipt of Cash or Load Tran Value at ATM/Load
93	Fraud	Risk Identification Services
96	Processing Error	Transaction Exceed Limited Amount
97	Other	Pre-Arbitration/Arbitration
98	Other	Good Faith Collection
99	Other	Pre-Compliance

MasterCard Chargeback Codes | Visa Chargeback Codes | Amex Chargeback Codes | Discover Chargeback Codes

Understanding Visa Chargeback Categories

Fraud (57, 62, 81, 83, 93)

Visa fraud codes cover unauthorized transactions, counterfeit card use, and card-absent fraud. Code 81 (Fraud - Card Present) applies to in-store transactions where counterfeit or stolen physical cards were used. Code 83 (Fraud - Card Absent) is the most common fraud code for ecommerce merchants — the cardholder claims they didn't make the online purchase. The most important defense against codes 81 and 83 is 3D Secure (Verified by Visa): when a Visa cardholder authenticates through 3DS, fraud liability shifts from the merchant to the card issuer. For non-3DS transactions, respond with AVS and CVV match confirmations, IP address and device fingerprint data, and proof of delivery to the billing address.

Authorization Errors (70, 71, 72, 73, 77)

Authorization codes indicate the transaction was processed improperly — card on the warning bulletin, declined authorization, transaction exceeding floor limit, expired card, or non-matching account number. Code 71 (Declined Authorization) is straightforward: if your system records show you received an authorization approval code, submit it. Code 72 (Exceeds Floor Limit) occurs when a merchant processes a transaction above their approved floor limit without obtaining proper authorization. These are almost entirely preventable through correct gateway configuration and always-online authorization practices.

Processing Errors (74, 76, 78, 80, 86, 96)

Processing error codes point to technical or procedural mistakes: late presentment (code 74 — transactions not submitted within the required window after authorization), incorrect transaction amount (code 80), paid by other means (code 86 — the customer paid via a different method and was double-charged), and service code violations (code 78). Code 74 (Late Presentment) is a fully preventable chargeback — ensure your batch settlement process runs within Visa's required timeframe, typically within 1–5 days of the authorization depending on the industry.

Consumer Disputes (41, 53, 85)

Consumer dispute codes cover cancelled recurring charges (code 41), merchandise not as described or defective (code 53), and credit not processed (code 85). Code 41 (Canceled Recurring Transaction) mirrors Mastercard's 4841 and is the dominant chargeback type for subscription businesses. Code 85 (Credit Not Processed) occurs when you issued a refund but the cardholder claims it wasn't posted — respond with your refund confirmation and the date processed. For code 53 (Not as Described), your product listing, photos, and any customer acceptance of the item at delivery are your key evidence.

Non-Receipt (30, 90)

Code 30 (Services Not Provided or Merchandise Not Received) is one of the highest-volume codes for ecommerce merchants. Delivery confirmation with signature (for high-value items), tracking data showing successful delivery, and any post-delivery customer communications are the foundation of your response. For digital goods and services, IP logs, access records, and download confirmation serve the same function as physical delivery confirmation.

Responding to Visa Chargebacks

Under Visa Claims Resolution, merchants typically have 30 days to respond to a dispute (some conditions allow up to 45). The response must directly address the specific dispute condition — a generic denial without evidence is rarely successful. Build your evidence package around the specific code: fraud codes need authentication evidence, non-receipt codes need delivery proof, processing error codes need transaction records.

At a systemic level, code mix analysis is more valuable than individual dispute responses. If code 83 fraud disputes dominate, enabling 3D Secure and strengthening fraud screening will reduce the inflow far more than winning individual cases. If code 41 recurring cancellation disputes dominate, subscription management and cancellation process improvements will have outsized impact. Chargeback prevention monitoring intercepts disputes before they formalize, addressing the problem upstream of both the response burden and the chargeback ratio.

CyoGate offers numerous tools and techniques to help minimize chargeback ratios. If you need assistance with managing chargebacks, please contact us today!