Visa Chargeback Reason Code 80: Point-of-Interaction Error

Table of Contents

1. What is Visa chargeback reason code 80?
2. What causes code 80 chargebacks?
3. What's the time limit to respond to code 80 chargebacks?
4. How can merchants fight code 80 chargebacks?
5. How can merchants prevent code 80 chargebacks?
6. About Visa chargeback reason codes

Merchants who receive a chargeback for a transaction placed with a Visa card may encounter reason code 80, which indicates an improperly processed transaction that the cardholder does not believe they should be responsible for paying. The actual underlying cause of this chargeback is usually merchant error or friendly fraud. Merchants who believe they have received an invalid chargeback under reason code 80 may be able to represent the transaction and reverse the chargeback with the right compelling evidence.

What is Visa chargeback reason code 80?

Visa chargeback reason code 80 falls under the “Point-of-Interaction Error” category. The shorthand description is “Incorrect Transaction Amount or Account Number.” This code indicates that a transaction was processed for the wrong amount or using the wrong account number.

What causes code 80 chargebacks?

This chargeback often occurs when adjustments are made to a transaction amount after the transaction was initiated but before it was completed. There may be a legitimate basis for making this adjustment, but if the cardholder was unaware of it, they may dispute the charge.

This chargeback may apply if the merchant’s acquiring bank processed an adjustment of an ATM cash withdrawal or a Visa Debit transaction authenticated with PIN entry, and the adjustment meets one of the following conditions:

• It includes an invalid or non-matching account number.
• The adjustment was posted more than 10 days after the transaction date to an account that was closed or held non-sufficient funds.
• The adjustment was posted more than 45 days after the transaction date.
• The adjustment was processed multiple times for the same transaction.

If an acquirer error causes this chargeback, the acquirer should take responsibility for the costs and fees.

This reason code may also apply if the cardholder disputes the adjustment amount or claims that the original transaction was reversed or canceled. Such disputes may be friendly fraud if they don't have a legitimate basis.

What's the time limit to respond to code 80 chargebacks?

The acquirer or merchant has 30 days to respond to a chargeback filed under reason code 80.

How can merchants fight code 80 chargebacks?

Merchants can fight code 80 chargebacks if they have evidence proving that it doesn't apply to the transaction in question, usually because the cardholder agreed to pay the altered amount either at time of purchase or by entering into an agreement in advance.

Your chargeback response should include the following:

• Documents showing the original transaction date and Acquirer Reference Number (ARN).
• If the chargeback carries the “Transaction Amount Altered” modifier, include one or more of the following:
  • Proof that the transaction receipt was not altered.
  • Proof that the cardholder agreed to pay the altered amount.
  • Proof that per the sales agreement that the customer entered into, the merchant is permitted or required to alter the transaction amount.
• If the chargeback carries the “Transaction Amount Incorrect” modifier, provide a transaction receipt or other documents that show that the correct transaction amount was processed.

How can merchants prevent code 80 chargebacks?

Merchant can prevent code 80 chargebacks by ensuring that customers understand the circumstances that might lead to the transaction amount being altered and by notifying customers when such an alteration occurs.

Merchants should always proceed with caution whenever the amount of a transaction in progress needs to be adjusted or altered in some way. Unexpected fees, taxes, and other add-ons are a frequent source of frustration for customers, and even if you technically process a transaction by the book, you can end up with angry customers and friendly fraud chargebacks if you don’t communicate these adjustments and increases clearly and transparently before finalizing the transaction.

The following tips can also help you avoid this kind of chargeback:

• Always obtain consent and signed approval from the cardholder whenever you have to adjust a transaction amount.
• Be sure that the transaction amount submitted matches the amount that received authorization approval. If necessary, start over and authorize a brand new transaction.

About Visa chargeback reason codes

Reason codes are alphanumeric codes that provide the justification for granting a chargeback. Pursuant to the Fair Credit Billing Act of 1974, cardholders have the right to dispute unauthorized or erroneous charges, and issuing banks must reverse a disputed transaction if the cardholder’s claim is valid.

When a cardholder contacts their issuing bank to dispute a transaction and receive a chargeback, the dispute is assigned a reason code that most closely matches the substance of the cardholder’s claims. The reason code provides the merchant and other stakeholders in the dispute with a concise explanation for why a chargeback has been granted.

Each card network—Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover—defines and maintains their own unique set of reason codes, which are applied to disputes by the banks that issue credit and debit cards under their brands.

Visa specifies 46 reason codes under the categories of Fraud, Authorization, Point-of-Interaction Error, Consumer Disputes, and Processing Errors. Visa uses a numeric scheme for its chargeback reason codes.

Understanding chargeback reason codes is one of the most essential parts of effective chargeback management. Identifying the chargeback reason code and the evidence required to fight it is the first step in chargeback representment, and analyzing your chargeback reason codes can provide you with insights into what types of disputes are causing you the most trouble. With this information, you can determine the root causes of your chargebacks and take action to prevent them from reoccurring.

Similar Posts

What Is Chargeback Representment?

Chargeback Reversal Tips