We understand it can be frustrating when your credit card is declined during a purchase. While FTDNA doesn't have direct access to the specific reasons for a decline (that information is held by your bank), we can provide some common explanations to help you understand what might have happened.
Common Reasons for Credit Card Declines
- Insufficient Funds
- This is the most frequent reason. Your available credit or bank account balance may be lower than the purchase amount.
- Incorrect Card Information
- Double-check that you've entered the card number, expiration date, CVV code, and billing address correctly. Even a small typo can lead to a decline.
- Card Expiration
- Ensure your card hasn't expired. If it has, you'll need to update your payment information with a valid card.
- Security Holds or Blocks
- Your bank may have placed a temporary hold or block on your card for security reasons. This can happen if:
- There's unusual activity on your account.
- You've exceeded a spending limit.
- Your bank suspects fraud.
- You are making a purchase from a foreign country.
- Your bank may have placed a temporary hold or block on your card for security reasons. This can happen if:
- Billing Address Mismatch
- The billing address you entered must match the address your bank has on file for your card.
- Daily or Transaction Limits
- Banks often impose daily or per-transaction spending limits to protect against fraud. If your purchase exceeds these limits, it may be declined.
- Card Not Activated
- If you recently received a new card, you may need to activate it before it can be used.
- Technical Issues
- Occasionally, technical problems with your bank's or our payment processing system can cause declines.
What You Can Do
- Verify Your Information
- Carefully review the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address you entered.
- Contact Your Bank
- The most reliable way to determine the specific reason for a decline is to contact your bank directly. They can provide detailed information and help resolve any issues.
- Check Your Account Balance/Credit Limit
- Ensure you have sufficient funds or available credit to cover the purchase.
- Consider an Alternative Payment Method
- If you continue to experience declines, try using a different credit card or another payment method, such as PayPal.
- Wait and Try Again
- Sometimes, temporary technical issues resolve themselves. Waiting a short period and trying again may be successful.
Note: FTDNA prioritizes the security of your payment information. We do not store or have access to the detailed reasons for credit card declines.