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Fraud codes

Last updated: 14th July 2022

Here you'll find an explanation of the various fraud codes you might encounter when processing Visa- and Mastercard-branded cards.


Visa fraud codes

CodeReasonDescription

0

Card reported lost

A fraudulent payment that occurs with the use of a lost card, without the actual, implied, or apparent authority of the cardholder

1

Stolen

A fraudulent payment that occurs with the use of a stolen card, without the actual, implied, or apparent authority of the cardholder

2

Not received as issued (NRI)

The interception and use of a card before receipt by a cardholder or by a person without the actual, implied, or apparent authority of the cardholder

3

Fraudulent application

A fraudulent payment that occurs with the use of a card that was obtained with an application using a false name or other false identification information

4

Issuer counterfeit

The use of an altered or illegally-reproduced card

5

Miscellaneous

Any type of fraud which is not listed under the codes 0 - 4 or 6 and 9 below.

6

Fraudulent use of account number

A fraudulent payment that occurs with the use of card information including pseudo-account information without the physical card or other device being involved, via the phone, mail, Internet, or other electronic means without the actual, implied, or apparent authority of the cardholder

9

Acquirer counterfeit

A fraud arising out of collusion between a merchant and the acquirer bank, without the actual, implied or apparent authority of the cardholder

A

Incorrect processing

Issuer confirms a payment is fraudulent on a Visa account as a result of incorrect processing; such as fraud on a VbV payment that was incorrectly identified as a secure e-commerce payment as a result of incorrect CAVV

B

Account or credentials takeover

Issuer confirms a payment is fraudulent on a Visa account as a result of fraudulent payments resulted from a fraudster taking over an account or its credentials


Mastercard fraud codes

CodeReason

0

Card reported lost

1

Stolen

2

Never received issue

3

Fraudulent application

4

Counterfeit card fraud

5

Account takeover fraud

6

Card not present fraud

7

Multiple imprint fraud

51

Acquirer fraud