Also known as the “invalid transaction” code, a credit card error code 12 is given when the issuing bank does not accept a transaction. That’s super vague, but it’s true. The issuing bank is the bank that gave the customer their card, and a declined 12 code is sort of a catch-all for error codes. It doesn’t mean one specific thing, but there are a few common reasons:
- The card number is incorrect. This is the simplest explanation. Sometimes when a card number is typed incorrectly it can fire back an invalid transaction.
- The expiration date is invalid. This could mean it was keyed in incorrectly or it’s expired.
- AVS failed. Address Verification Service, is a fraud prevention measure implemented by the card member associations such as VISA. They check fields like the zip code against their records to make sure someone isn’t using a card that isn’t theirs.
- You tried something strange like refunding a refund. If the system doesn’t know how to handle a request, it could spit back a decline code 12 in response.
- The credit card itself is invalid. It’s possible that the card has been canceled or flagged by the credit card company and is coming through as a credit card code 12.
- You tried running the card multiple times in a row. Many card associations have measures against multiple quick transactions since it’s often a sign of fraud.
It could be one or a combination of these that is causing your system to fire an invalid transaction. Double-check that it’s not a user error and go from there.