Credit Card declines may occur for a variety of reasons. If a card is declined, the best course of action is to contact your credit card issuer for clarification and resolution. See below for some of the reasons a card may not go through:
- Insufficient Funds or Credit Limit
- If your card balance is close to or at its limit, the transaction might be denied because there's not enough available credit.
- Suspected Fraud
- Credit card companies monitor transactions for suspicious activity. If a purchase appears unusual, such as being made in a foreign country or for an unusually large amount, the issuer might decline it as a precaution.
- Expired Card
- If your credit card has expired, any attempt to use it will be declined. Ensure the card you're using is still valid.
- Incorrect Information
- Entering the wrong billing address, CVV code, or expiration date during an online transaction can cause the payment to fail.
- Technical Issues
- Sometimes, technical problems with payment terminals, online payment systems, or the card issuer's network can result in a decline.
- Merchant Restrictions
- Some merchants restrict certain types of cards or transactions, which could lead to a decline (e.g., prepaid cards might not be accepted).
- Hold on the Account
- If there are issues with your account, like a payment dispute or suspected fraudulent activity, the issuer might freeze your account temporarily.
- Card Not Activated
- A new or replacement card must be activated before use. Attempting to use an un-activated card will lead to a decline.
- International Use Restrictions
- Some cards require prior authorization for international transactions. If you're traveling and didn’t notify your issuer, the transaction might be blocked.
- Unusual Spending Pattern
- A sudden spike in spending that doesn’t match your usual habits can trigger a decline as part of fraud prevention.
Kaplan frequently encounters transaction declines attributed to insufficient funds, potential fraud, and incorrect card information. We strongly recommend that you carefully review the details you enter, including the card number, expiration date, CVV code, and billing address, to ensure they are accurate.