Why are my debit card transactions getting declined?
Purchases and transactions may be declined for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
Insufficient Card Balance: The available credit or funds in the account are not enough to cover the purchase amount.
Merchant Risk Control Rules: Transactions flagged by the merchant's risk management system as potentially fraudulent or high risk.
Incorrect Card Information: Errors in entering the card number, expiration date, CVV code, or billing address.
Expired Card: The credit card's expiration date has passed.
Fraud Detection: The transaction is flagged by the card issuer's fraud detection system as suspicious.
Blocked Card: The card has been frozen, or the account has been frozen.
Merchant Restrictions: The merchant does not accept the specific type of credit card being used.
Technical Issues: Problems with the payment processing system or network issues.
Unusual Spending Patterns: Transactions that deviate significantly from the cardholder's usual spending patterns.
Prohibited MCC (Merchant Category Code): Transactions with merchants classified under certain MCCs that are prohibited by the card issuer.
"Should I try to charge the card again?"
If your card gets declined 3 times consecutively or has an average decline rate superior to 15%, we are forced to cancel your card. Therefore, as a pro-tip, always avoid retrying failed purchases! You can always withdraw your card funds at no additional variable costs (incurs a $1 fee).
How do I know which merchant to avoid?
Sometimes, when purchasing things with SolCard, you might get your card declined. Due to the nature of the card, we have to go the extra mile to make sure every purchase is within the highest standards of AML policies and safety of our users.
Hence, we have compiled a list of Merchant Category Codes that are strictly prohibited in the SolCard platform.
| Prohibited Merchant Category Codes (MCC) |
|
MCC | Description | Classification |
4829 | MONEY ORDERS -- WIRE TRANSFER | Prohibited |
5933 | PAWN SHOPS | Prohibited |
6010 | FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS - MANUAL CASH DISBURSEMENTS | Prohibited |
6011 | FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS - AUTOMATED CASH DISBURSEMENTS | Prohibited |
6050 | QUASI CASH-MEMBER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION | Prohibited |
6051 | QUASI CASH | Prohibited |
6211 | SECURITY BROKERS/DEALERS | Prohibited |
6529 | REMOTE STORED VALUE LOAD-MEMBER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION | Prohibited |
6530 | REMOTE STORED VALUE LOAD | Prohibited |
6531 | PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDER-MONEY TRANSFER | Prohibited |
6532 | PAYMENT TRANSACTION - MEMBER FINANCIAL I | Prohibited |
6533 | PAYMENT TRANSACTION - MERCHANT | Prohibited |
6534 | MONEY TRANSFER-MEMBER FINANCIAL INSTITUT | Prohibited |
6535 | VALUE PURCHASE-MEMBER FINANCIAL INSTITUT | Prohibited |
6536 | MONEYSEND INTRACOUNTRY | Prohibited |
6537 | MONEYSEND INTERCOUNTRY | Prohibited |
6538 | MASTERCARD MONEYSEND FUNDING TRANSACTION | Prohibited |
7272 | ESCORT SERVICES | Prohibited |
7273 | DATING OR ESCORT SERVICES | Prohibited |
7297 | MASSAGE PARLORS | Prohibited |
7280 | HOSPITAL PATIENT PERSONAL FUNDS WITHDRAW | Prohibited |
7322 | DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES | Prohibited |
7800 | GOVERNMENT-OWNED LOTTERIES | Prohibited |
7801 | GOVERNMENT LICENSED CASINOS (ONLINE GAMBLING) | Prohibited |
7802 | GOVERNMENT LICENSED HORSE/DOG RACING | Prohibited |
7995 | BETTING, WAGERING, LOTTERY, GAMBLING TICKETS OR CHIPS | Prohibited |
8651 | POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS | Prohibited |
8661 | RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS | Prohibited |
9211 | ALIMONY, CHILD SUPPORT OR COURT COSTS | Prohibited |
9401 | I-PURCHASING PILOT | Prohibited |
9411 | GOVERNMENT LOAN PAYMENTS | Prohibited |
9754 | GAMBLING-HORSE, DOG RACING-ST LOTTERY | Prohibited |