--- title: "Credit Card Decline Codes: Which Ones Are Most Common? | PayJunction" description: Familiarize yourself with these four common credit card decline codes to easily dissolve tension the next time a customer’s card declines. image: https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/credit-card-decline-codes.svg --- [tel:1-800-601-0230](tel:1-800-601-0230) 800-601-0230 - Features - Solutions - Developers - [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) - Resources [See a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/tour-payjunction) Features - EXPLORE PRODUCTS [No-code Payments Integration®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) [ZeroTouch Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-terminal.html) [Portable Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/portable-credit-card-reader-terminal.html) - ACCEPT PAYMENTS [Invoices](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/electronic-invoices.html) [ACH Electronic Checks](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ach-payments.html) [SmartSurcharge®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-surcharge.html) [Cards on File](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/store-credit-card-info.html) [Rapid Refunds](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/credit-card-refund.html) [Recurring Billing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/recurring-payments.html) [Ecommerce](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ecommerce-merchant-services.html) [Mobile App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/payjunction/id1324839420?ls=1&mt=8) - EXPLORE CAPABILITIES [Overview](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-processing-solutions.html) [Integration Marketplace](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Remote Signature](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/signature-capture.html) [Multi-Location](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/enterprise-payments.html) [Sales Reports](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/sales-reports.html) [Search and Export](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/transaction-history-search.html) [Customization](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/custom-payment-software.html) Solutions - [Veterinary Streamline payment workflows and get paid faster with up-front deposits and payment schedules for high-cost procedures. Get time back and spend it with furry patients.](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) - [Dental Simplify patient payments with multiple means of collection at your dental practice. Meet patient expectations and elevate the payment experience.](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) - [Auto Dealer Manage dealership payments by department, brand and location. Get automated reports for simplified end-of-day close and save on processing fees.](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) Developers - [API Documentation See how to embed omnichannel payment features into your software, using your choice of our intuitive integration methods.](https://developer.payjunction.com/) - [Developer Experience Explore the developer journey and learn how our full-service partnership model helps you maximize merchant payment adoption rates.](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) - [No-code Payments Integration® Rapidly integrate payment acceptance features into any SaaS application in minutes using our easy-to-use Chrome browser extension.](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) - [Integration Marketplace Check out our growing marketplace of integrated solution partners that streamline payment acceptance and help businesses automate and scale.](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) Resources - [About Us Learn how our people-first culture at PayJunction helps us earn widespread recognition and awards.](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) - [Careers Join us in our pursuit to deliver exceptional experiences to customers and partners.](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) - [Support Get helpful information about how to use features, troubleshoot problems and contact us.](https://support.payjunction.com/) - [Blog Gain useful insights into payment industry trends and PayJunction solutions.](https://blog.payjunction.com/) - [Guides Up your payment processing knowledge with our in-depth eBooks and White Papers.](https://guides.payjunction.com/) - [Tutorials Read articles and watch videos about how to use valuable features on the PayJunction platform.](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/pj-university) # What Are the Most Common Credit Card Decline Codes? ![What Are the Most Common Credit Card Decline Codes?](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/credit-card-decline-codes.svg) [![Picture of Ursula Librizzi](https://blog.payjunction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ursula_Librizzi.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=Ursula_Librizzi.jpg) Ursula Librizzi](https://blog.payjunction.com/author/ursula-librizzi) 3/7/2017 Contrary to popular belief, insufficient funds is not the most common reason for a credit card to decline. In fact, there are a [plethora of credit card decline codes](https://support.payjunction.com/hc/en-us/categories/201262067-Decline-Codes) that occur more frequently. To relieve the awkwardness that ensues after stating “Sorry, your credit card was declined,” we’re identifying the most common credit card decline codes and how to solve them to alleviate tension at checkout. ## Payment Processing Demo Schedule 15 minutes with a payments expert Get a customized PayJunction product walk-through Understand requirements and pricing Determine your SAVINGS! GET DEMO NOW ## 4 Credit Card Decline Codes to Know 1. **“05 Do Not Honor” is a general decline typically generated by the card’s issuing bank.** Your [Merchant Account Provider](https://blog.payjunction.com/merchant-account/) cannot override the decline; only your customer’s bank can allow the transaction. The solution? Have your customer call the number on the back of the credit card to discuss the transaction. 2. **AVS decline codes occur when the Address Verification System (AVS) cannot match the address provided with the one registered.** Unfortunately AVS declines often occur due to the card issuing bank failing to update AVS when a customer updates her address. Banks will update the mailing address for statements but may fail to update the address for AVS as well. These declines are specific to your provider and vary depending on your security settings. You may get a decline due to no match on the address, zip code or both. Sometimes AVS declines occur because the system is not working, is unavailable or is not supported. If you trust your customer, you can override the decline and force the transaction, which will result in a [more expensive transaction cost](https://blog.payjunction.com/avs-cvv-benefits/). However, if it’s a new customer we recommend you take steps to verify the purchase isn’t fraudulent. 3. **“97 CVV Mismatch” occurs when the Card Verification Value (CVV) entered does not match the CVV number on the card.** When keying-in transactions through [Virtual Terminals](https://blog.payjunction.com/virtual-terminals-everything-to-know/), CVV verifies the customer has the physical card; it’s a fraud-prevention measure. If you’re taking a phone or online order and get a CVV mismatch, it may be a fraudster attempting to make the purchase. 4. **“62 Restricted SIC” declines occur when the card’s issuing bank deems the business unsuitable for the type of card.** Every business has a specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) for easy identification. Certain card types, such as a HSA medical credit card, can only be used at a medical office. If a customer tries to use a card that cannot be accepted by a business with your MCC code, the transaction will decline. This decline code also may occur because you’ve been assigned a generic MCC code of 7299, which is sometimes blocked by card-issuing banks. The best way to resolve the decline is to call your provider to confirm your MCC has been properly assigned and then vet the card type your customer is using. Delivering the news that your customer’s card has been declined is a delicate dance, but it doesn’t have to be! You can flawlessly resolve declines if you know what these common credit card decline codes mean and why they occur. Keep these four common credit card decline codes in mind so the next time you hear the dreaded ‘beep, beep, beep’ on your terminal, you can confidently deliver the news and offer a solution to your customer. ## Accept ACH payments? [![LEARN THESE COMMON DECLINE CODES](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/635739/31593b41-675c-4bef-a26b-46612959182c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/635739/31593b41-675c-4bef-a26b-46612959182c) Have you struggled to keep tensions low at checkout when a transaction declines? What tactics have you implemented to keep customer satisfaction high at checkout? We'd love to hear from you! [Virtual Terminal](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/virtual-terminal) [Credit Card Processing](https://blog.payjunction.com/topic/credit-card-processing) --- ##### [![Trump Repealing the Durbin Amendment Will Hit Payment Facilitators Hardest](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/trump-durbin-amendment-impact.svg) Trump Repealing the Durbin Amendment Will Hit Payment Facilitators Hardest](https://blog.payjunction.com/trump-durbin-amendment-impact) ##### [![5 Mobile Fraud Prevention Tips for Your Employees](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/mobile-fraud-prevention.svg) 5 Mobile Fraud Prevention Tips for Your Employees](https://blog.payjunction.com/mobile-fraud-prevention) ###### About Author ![Picture of Ursula Librizzi](https://blog.payjunction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ursula_Librizzi.jpg?width=200&height=200&name=Ursula_Librizzi.jpg) ### Ursula Librizzi Ursula is the sales and marketing operations manager for PayJunction. She oversees daily marketing tasks and liaises between the sales and marketing departments. ###### Related Posts ## [![What Is an AVS Mismatch?](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/avs-mismatch-provider-versus-bank.svg) What Is an AVS Mismatch? Declined transactions are stressful. No cardholder likes being in that position, and it’s a tense situation for business owners who lack answers to rectify the issue.](https://blog.payjunction.com/avs-mismatch-provider-versus-bank) ## [![How to Comply with Visa’s New Fraud-Fighting Rules](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/visa-category-1-decline-codes.svg) How to Comply with Visa’s New Fraud-Fighting Rules Visa recently introduced new rules for e-commerce fraud prevention. This article explains how these rules impact your online business and steps you need to follow to avoid new fees.](https://blog.payjunction.com/visa-category-1-decline-codes) ## [![How to Accept Credit Card Payments on Phone and Reduce Chargebacks](https://blog.payjunction.com/hubfs/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/reduce-chargebacks-remote-signature.svg) How to Accept Credit Card Payments on Phone and Reduce Chargebacks Welcome to PJ University, where we teach you how to use PayJunction like a pro. Today’s lesson is how to capture remote signatures and reduce chargebacks.](https://blog.payjunction.com/reduce-chargebacks-remote-signature) ## Meet a Payment System You’ll Love - ###### FEATURES [No-code Payments Integration®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/no-code-payments-integration.html) [ZeroTouch Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-terminal.html) [Portable Terminal](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/portable-credit-card-reader-terminal.html) [Invoices](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/electronic-invoices.html) [ACH](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ach-payments.html) [SmartSurcharge®](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/smart-surcharge.html) [Cards on File](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/store-credit-card-info.html) [Recurring Billing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/recurring-payments.html) - [Ecommerce](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/ecommerce-merchant-services.html) [Customization](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/custom-payment-software.html) [Remote Signatures](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/signature-capture.html) [Rapid Refunds](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/credit-card-refund.html) [Multi-Location](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/enterprise-payments.html) [Sales Reports](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/sales-reports.html) [Search and Export](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/transaction-history-search.html) [Mobile App](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/payjunction/id1324839420?ls=1&mt=8) - ###### BUSINESS SOLUTIONS [Auto Dealers](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) [Veterinary](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) [Dentistry](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) - ###### RESOURCES [Product Overview](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-processing-solutions.html) [Integrations](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Blog](https://blog.payjunction.com/) [Guides](https://guides.payjunction.com/) [Support](https://support.payjunction.com/) [Service Status](https://status.payjunction.com/) [Tutorials](https://blog.payjunction.com/tag/pj-university/) [API](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) - [Trust Center](https://trust.payjunction.com/) [Request a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/payjunction-demo) [Pricing](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/pricing.html) [About Us](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) [Careers *HIRING*](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) [Press](https://media.payjunction.com/) - ###### RESOURCES [Integrations](https://integrations.payjunction.com/) [Guides](https://guides.payjunction.com/) [Tutorials](https://blog.payjunction.com/tag/pj-university/) [API](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/payment-api.html) [Request a Demo](https://www2.payjunction.com/payjunction-demo) [About Us](https://www.payjunction.com/payments/about.html) [Careers *HIRING*](https://www2.payjunction.com/careers) [Press](https://media.payjunction.com/) [Trust Center](https://trust.payjunction.com/) [Service Status](https://status.payjunction.com/) - ###### BUSINESS SOLUTIONS [Auto Dealers](https://www2.payjunction.com/automotive-merchant-services) [Veterinary](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-veterinarians) [Dentistry](https://www2.payjunction.com/payment-processing-dentists) ##### 800-601-0230 SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER  Become a better advocate for your business. Get Email Updates GO Thank you for subscribing! PayJunction is a Level 1 PCI Compliant Provider. PayJunction is a registered ISO of PNC Bank, N.A., Pittsburgh, PA. © 2026 PayJunction. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://support.payjunction.com/hc/en-us/articles/211053648) and [Terms of Use](https://support.payjunction.com/hc/en-us/articles/211053628). ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Ursula Librizzi" }, "dateModified" : "2023-03-09", "datePublished" : "2017-03-07", "description" : "Familiarize yourself with these four common credit card decline codes to easily dissolve tension the next time a customer’s card declines.", "headline" : "What Are the Most Common Credit Card Decline Codes?", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/635739/BLOG/FEATURED%20IMAGES/credit-card-decline-codes.svg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.payjunction.com/credit-card-decline-codes", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/635739/logo-400px.png" }, "name" : "PayJunction" } } ```