Response Code

A response code is a specific message the client’s issuing bank sends to the merchant’s bank.

The procedure goes as follows. The client enters the payment card details. The payment gateway transfers it to the acquiring bank. The acquiring bank makes a request to the customer’s issuing bank. The issuing bank returns the response with the special code. Depending on the reply, it’s clear if the interaction was successful or not. The refund code consists of 2 digits.

For example, there are some main reasons they influence the positive response:

• the client has enough funds on his/her account,
• the actual cardholder uses the card to make a payment.

So, there are some reasons that cause a negative reply:

• not enough funds,
• the card is stolen and the fraud uses it.

For instance, there are the following response codes:

• 00 – for the approved transaction,
• 06 – for an error. That usually means it was a misprint in the card’s number,
• 33 – for the expired card. That means the card is out of date or there was a misprint in the date (month & year).

The response code help to get a quick idea of what is wrong with the transaction. Hence, the client may re-enter the card’s data. Nevertheless, to solve some cases, clients need to make a phone call to their bank.