Payments Bible

Refer to Card Issuer

What it means

The issuer wants the cardholder to contact them before the transaction can be approved.

Why it happens

The issuer has flagged the account and requires direct contact or manual referral before authorizing.

If you’re the cardholder

Call your card issuer to resolve the issue, then try again.

If you’re the merchant

Advise the customer to contact their bank; do not automatically retry the same card.

Sources & processor codes

  • Adyen3ReferralDocs
  • Google Standard Payments01Refer to card issuerDocs
  • NuveiCall IssuerDocs
  • Stripecall_issuerThe card was declined for an unknown reasonDocs

← All decline reasons

Refer to Card Issuer (code 01) — what it means · Payments Bible