What Credit Card Decline Codes Mean? When a credit card issuer declined a transaction, they do so for a reason. There are many different credit card decline codes that issuers use, and each one has a different meaning. Here are some of the most common credit card decline codes and what they mean: 1. Insufficient funds This is the most common reason for declined transactions. It simply means that the cardholder does not have enough money in their account to cover the purchase. 2. Invalid card number This decline code indicates that the credit card number was entered incorrectly. This is a common error when manually entering credit card information. 3. Expired card This decline code means that the credit card has expired and is no longer valid. 4. Incorrect CVC The CVC is the 3-digit code on the back of the credit card. This decline code indicates that the CVC was entered incorrectly. 5. Suspected fraud This decline code means that the transaction may be fraudulent and has been flagged for further review. Types of Credit Card Decline Codes There are many different types of credit card decline codes, but the most common ones are listed above. If you receive a decline code that is not on this list, it may be an error code or a unique code specific to the issuer. When you receive a declined transaction, it's important to understand the meaning of the decline code so you can take the appropriate action. If you have any questions about a decline code, you should contact your credit card issuer for more information. There are many other credit decline codes that issuers use, but these are some of the most common. If you ever run into a declined transaction, be sure to check the code to see what it means. With this knowledge, you can avoid declined transactions in the future.