It means the CVV is wrong. The CVV is the Card Verification Value and is typically three digits and found on the back of the card, though American Express has four-digit CVV codes on the front of the card. This is an extra security and verification layer to help prevent fraud. 

What to do: Double-check that you’ve entered the CVV correctly. Some cards might have multiple three- and four-digit codes, making it hard to decipher which one to use. If you get an error message again, try one of the other codes.

When you see this error code, your technology may have failed you — usually only temporarily. 

What to do: Re-attempt the transaction again after a few minutes. If it’s still a no-go, contact your payment processor directly. They may have you instruct the customer to call their bank as well.

This indicates some sort of issue with your customer’s credit card account. The issuing bank blocks these transactions. 

What to do: Ask for a different payment method or recommend that they contact their bank.

This means your payment terminal cannot interface with the card issuer. 

What to do: This is another one of those unknown errors, so simply re-enter the card and see if it goes through.

This is a communication error on the authorization

What to do: There’s no real reason this happens, so you can typically just try it again.

This credit card declined code is not as serious as it indicates a temporary communication error. 

What to do: Try the transaction again. If you repeatedly have trouble, reach out to your payment processor.

There could be several reasons why this credit card declined code shows up. It essentially boils down to the bank not recognizing the account — maybe it’s no longer active, for example. 

What to do: Ask for a different payment method. In this scenario, it’s probably better for the customer to call their credit card company after leaving your business

Here, your customer might have exceeded their credit limit or hit their maximum number of transactions for a specific period. 

What to do: Like in many other scenarios, ask for an alternative form of payment or recommend that they reach out to their credit card company.

If your credit card reader has a hard time reading the three- or four-digit CVV or CID (card identification) code, you’ll see this declined code. The CVV and CID can be found either on the front or the back of the card (depending on Visa, AmEx, etc.) 

What to do: You can usually try the transaction again without including the code. If you do this, give your customer a heads-up because their bank may flag the transaction as fraudulent.

Some merchants choose not to accept American Express and/or Discover cards because of high fees and chargeback rates. If a customer attempts to pay with an unaccepted card, you might see this credit card declined code. 

Another cause for code 62 is if an online shopper attempts to pay with a card that isn’t compatible with online payments. 

What to do: In the first case, you’ll need to apologize and ask for a different form of payment. Some customers may be unhappy to hear your choice, so it’s important to come up with a prepared response to express your empathy and reasoning. In the latter case, you’ll want to implement an error message that asks customers to use a different card or call their bank, citing the error code.

The cardholder may have overspent or withdrawn too many funds from their associated account. 

What to do: Request alternative payment or a customer call the issuing bank

These errors are with your merchant processing account, indicating that it’s not configured to process this transaction. 

What to do: Reach out to your merchant account provider rep or support team for further assistance reconfiguring your account.

The credit card isn’t properly configured for the transaction you’re trying to process. 

What to do: Provide transaction details to your customer and have them call the bank to request permission for the transaction.

This credit card declined code indicates that the expiration date entered has already passed, meaning the card is expired and no longer valid for issuing payment. 

What to do: First, ensure you entered the expiration date correctly, and if so, you can request an alternative form of payment from the customer

Transaction errors occur when the cardholder has reached or exceeded their credit limit. In some cases, your purchase would put them over the edge — for example, if they’ve spent $4,995 with a $5,000 limit, they won’t be able to make a $5.01 purchase from your business. 

What to do: Requesting an alternative form of payment. Customer can also call their credit card company to try and sort it out or increase their limit.

We have a suspected fraud case because the cardholder reported the card as missing or stolen. 

What to do: You’ll need to report the incident and probably ask for cash payment

The issuing bank is blocking the transaction because the cardholder has reported it as lost or stolen. Therefore, it’s essentially “frozen” for use. 

What to do: This is a suspected fraud case, so you must call the toll-free number and report the incident to the issuing bank. Prudent merchants may choose to deny serving these shoppers. Or you can request an alternative form of payment — ideally cash.

There was a blip during the authorization process

What to do: These errors are typically temporary, so simply waiting and retrying the transaction should work. You’ll want to contact the issuing bank or your merchant account provider if it doesn't.

Typically similar to 14 or 15 — essentially, there’s something wrong with the credit card and billing information

What to do: Carefully re-enter the information or retry the transaction.

Your payment processor is telling you it doesn’t know what happened and why it didn’t work 

What to do: Attempt the transaction again. The customer may have to call the issuing bank if it still doesn't work.

The merchant entered a credit card number that doesn’t start with an appropriate number: 

• American Express: 3
• Discover: 6
• Mastercard: 5
• Visa: 4

What to do: Check the first number entered in the credit card information and adjust as needed.

You likely mistyped the credit card number. 

What to do: Carefully re-enter the credit card number

The error is definitely on the merchant's end, and it’s because the dollar amount was invalid. It might be negative for a purchase or positive for a refund. Or you could have accidentally included a letter or symbol. 

What to do: Fix the dollar amount and try again.

The cardholder’s issuing bank is stopping the transaction because of suspected fraud. 

What to do: Don’t accept any form of payment from this customer. You might also take the card and discreetly call the toll-free number somewhere out of sight and earshot of the customer in question and throughout the store

This code pertains to an unidentified error with the issuing bank. 

What to do: Since there’s no specific reason for the error code, it’s best to try again and see if the issue resolves. If not, ask the customer for an alternative payment method.

Credit card declined code 05 indicates that the issuing bank has once again blocked the transaction—telling you to literally “not honor” the card as a form of payment. 

What to do: Ensure you have updated customer information, as sometimes it’s a case of a mistaken billing address. If the incorrect billing information isn’t the culprit, ask for an alternative form of payment or have the customer call the toll-free number on their card for more information

This credit card declined code is when the issuing bank blocks the transaction, typically because of a suspected issue. Issues could include a lost/misplaced card, expiration, or fraud, among other red flags.

What to do: This code indicates that the merchant must seize the credit card. There’s typically a toll-free number somewhere on the card that the merchant can call to get directions on the next steps.

What to do: Ask for a different card. If the customer doesn’t have one, have them call their credit card company to investigate and resolve the issue. There’s usually a toll-free number somewhere on the card.