Every chargeback lives under a reason code that determines the deadline, the evidence you need, and what wins. This reference covers the 20most common ecommerce reason codes across all four major networks. Each page has the definition, response window, required evidence, and Aurai's book-wide win rates. Visa 13.1 (goods not received) is the single most common; Visa 10.4 is the most common fraud code.
Visa
10.4Fraud (Category 10)
Other Fraud — Card-Absent Environment
Cardholder claims they didn't participate in the transaction and the merchant was not in a card-present environment. The single most common fraud code in ecommerce.
30 days to respond · CE 3.0 eligible
12.6Processing Errors (Category 12)
Duplicate Processing / Paid by Other Means
Cardholder claims the same transaction was processed more than once or that they paid by an alternate method (cash, another card, check).
30 days to respond
13.1Consumer Disputes (Category 13)
Merchandise/Services Not Received
Cardholder claims they paid for merchandise or services but never received them by the expected delivery date. The most common ecommerce reason code.
30 days to respond · CE 3.0 eligible
13.2Consumer Disputes (Category 13)
Cancelled Recurring Transaction
Cardholder claims a recurring subscription charge was made after they cancelled. Common on SaaS, streaming, memberships, and gyms.
30 days to respond
13.3Consumer Disputes (Category 13)
Not as Described or Defective Merchandise
Cardholder received the item but claims it was defective or materially different from what was advertised.
30 days to respond
13.5Consumer Disputes (Category 13)
Misrepresentation
Cardholder claims the merchant misrepresented the goods, services, or terms of the transaction at the point of sale.
30 days to respond
13.6Consumer Disputes (Category 13)
Credit Not Processed
Cardholder claims the merchant agreed to a refund or credit but never processed it. Highly winnable if the credit was actually issued.
30 days to respond
13.7Consumer Disputes (Category 13)
Cancelled Merchandise/Services
Cardholder claims they cancelled the order or service before delivery but were charged anyway.
30 days to respond
Mastercard
4837Fraud
No Cardholder Authorization
Mastercard's equivalent of Visa 10.4 — cardholder claims they didn't authorize the transaction in a card-not-present environment.
45 days to respond
4853Cardholder Dispute
Cardholder Dispute — Various
Mastercard's catch-all cardholder-dispute code, used for cancelled recurring transactions, misrepresentation, and quality disputes.
45 days to respond
4855Cardholder Dispute
Goods or Services Not Provided
Mastercard's equivalent of Visa 13.1 — cardholder claims they paid but never received goods or services.
45 days to respond
4863Fraud
Cardholder Does Not Recognize — Potential Fraud
Cardholder doesn't recognize the transaction on their statement. Often a descriptor issue (business name doesn't match the DBA) rather than actual fraud.
45 days to respond
Amex
F29Fraud
Card Not Present — Fraud
American Express fraud code for card-not-present transactions where the cardholder claims non-participation.
20 days to respond
C08Cardholder Dispute
Goods/Services Not Received or Only Partially Received
American Express equivalent of Visa 13.1 — cardholder claims they didn't receive what they paid for.
20 days to respond
C31Cardholder Dispute
Goods/Services Not As Described
Amex equivalent of Visa 13.3 (defective / not as described) — cardholder received the item but claims it doesn't match the description.
20 days to respond
C32Cardholder Dispute
Goods/Services Damaged or Defective
Amex equivalent of the defective portion of Visa 13.3 — cardholder received the item but claims it was damaged or defective on arrival.
20 days to respond
C28Cardholder Dispute
Cancelled Recurring Billing
Amex equivalent of Visa 13.2 — cardholder claims a recurring charge was made after they cancelled.
20 days to respond
Discover
UA02Fraud
Fraud — Card Not Present
Discover's CNP fraud code — cardholder claims non-participation in a card-not-present transaction.
20–45 days to respond
RGCardholder Dispute
Non-Receipt of Goods, Services, or Cash
Discover's equivalent of Visa 13.1 — cardholder claims non-receipt of purchased goods or services.
30 days to respond
RMCardholder Dispute
Cardholder Disputes Quality of Goods or Services
Discover's equivalent of Visa 13.3 / Amex C31 — cardholder received the item but disputes quality.
30 days to respond
How to use this reference
Each reason code page tells you:
- Definition — what the cardholder is claiming and why.
- Response deadline — how many days you have to submit representment.
- Required evidence — the specific documents the issuer weights heaviest.
- Typical win rates — Aurai's book-wide numbers by evidence scenario.
- Related codes — the equivalent code on other networks.
For the deep-dive playbooks, see the Aurai blog. For the fastest way to actually win these disputes, connect your processor and let Aurai handle the reason-code-specific evidence assembly for you.
Reason code details reflect Visa Core Rules v2025.1, Mastercard Chargeback Guide 2025, Amex Merchant Reference Guide, and Discover Network Dispute Rules as of July 2026. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are trademarks of their respective owners. Aurai is independent and not endorsed by any of them. Network rules change — always verify the current official rules before acting on any specific tactic.