Reason code

Visa reason code 33 is not a chargeback—it’s a request from the issuer or Visa for additional information to evaluate a potentially fraudulent transaction. It typically occurs during an internal fraud investigation, giving the merchant a chance to provide evidence before a chargeback is filed.

Merchants should treat this as a warning flag that a transaction may be disputed. Prompt, detailed documentation can help resolve the issue at this early stage and potentially avoid a financial loss.

Submit documentation that supports the validity of the transaction and proves cardholder involvement:

• Provide receipts, delivery confirmation, customer communication, or fraud screening results
  
  
• Include AVS/CVV match results, IP logs, or order history if available

Be proactive with fraud controls to reduce the risk of these reviews:

• Use tools like 3D Secure, device fingerprinting, and fraud scoring to screen transactions
  
  
• Keep detailed records of each sale so you’re ready to respond if flagged

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