PaymentRetryAlertDecline code 83: fraud / security
What decline code 83 means
Mastercard-specific grouping: the issuer suspects fraud or a security problem with the card or transaction.
Should you retry?
Do not retry. Retrying fraud-flagged cards damages your issuer reputation and can attract fees.
Retrying hard declines costs money. Visa limits reattempts on a card to 15 in 30 days, and Mastercard charges for attempts beyond its thresholds and for every retry after a Merchant Advice Code 03 or 21. Route this decline to account updater or customer outreach instead. See soft vs hard declines.
Frequently asked questions
Is decline code 83 a soft or hard decline?
Hard decline (do not retry). Mastercard-specific grouping: the issuer suspects fraud or a security problem with the card or transaction.
Should I retry a payment that failed with decline code 83?
Do not retry. Retrying fraud-flagged cards damages your issuer reputation and can attract fees.
Other response codes
70Contact card issuer75Allowable number of PIN tries exceeded79Life cycle82Policy85Not declined (verification only)91Issuer or switch inoperative92Unable to route transaction94Duplicate transaction- All decline codes
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