Refer to Issuer (Special)
Similar to code 01, but the issuer requires a special condition to be met — such as identity verification or account confirmation — before the transaction can proceed.
Why does code 02 occur?
- Fraud prevention measures triggered
- Account under review or audit
- Special authorization required for transaction type
- Identity verification pending
Can this transaction be retried?
Code 02 is a soft decline, but it is not automatically retryable. The cardholder typically needs to take action (such as contacting their bank) before the transaction can succeed. Do not retry automatically — wait for the cardholder to resolve the underlying issue.
What merchants should do
Instruct the customer to contact their card issuer. Do not retry without cardholder authorization from their bank.
What cardholders should do
Contact your bank for instructions. You may need to verify your identity, confirm a recent address change, or respond to a fraud alert.
Code 02 at a glance
Response Code
02
Name
Refer to Issuer (Special)
Category
soft decline
Retryable
No
Related Decline Codes
Refer to Issuer
The issuing bank has flagged the transaction for review. The cardholder should contact their bank to authorize or clarify the transaction.
Do Not Honor
The issuing bank has declined the transaction without specifying a detailed reason. This is the single most common decline code, accounting for a large share of all card declines across the industry.
Contact Card Issuer
The issuing bank requires the cardholder to contact them before this transaction or any further transactions can proceed. The bank may need to verify identity, confirm activity, or update account information.
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Find a SWIFT codeDecline Code 02 FAQ
Frequently asked questions about decline code 02: Refer to Issuer (Special).