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All Decline Codes
43

Stolen Card

hard decline Do not retry

The card has been reported as stolen. The issuer has permanently blocked the card, and all transactions will be declined. This code carries a higher fraud risk than code 41.

Why does code 43 occur?

  • Cardholder reported the card as stolen
  • Issuer detected unauthorized use and classified as stolen
  • Card data compromised in a data breach and flagged by network

Can this transaction be retried?

No, code 43 is a hard decline and should not be retried. The underlying issue is permanent and the same card details will continue to be declined. Ask the customer for an alternative payment method.

What merchants should do

Do not process the transaction. Report the incident to your payment processor. In a face-to-face scenario, retain the card if safely possible. Remove this card from any recurring billing systems.

What cardholders should do

If this is your card and it was not stolen, contact your bank immediately. If you reported it stolen, your bank will issue a replacement card.

Code 43 at a glance

Response Code

43

Name

Stolen Card

Category

hard decline

Retryable

No

FAQ

Decline Code 43 FAQ

Frequently asked questions about decline code 43: Stolen Card.

Skip the 18-Month Bank Negotiation.