Fraud codes
Last updated: April 29, 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
| Code | Reason | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Code | Reason |
|---|---|
| 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 |