Mastercard Chargeback Reason Code 4808: Multiple Requests
Mastercard chargeback reason code 4808: Multiple Requests is one of the numeric labels assigned by banks to each customer dispute, indicating the given reason for the claim. We say the given reason because it may or may not reflect the true reason.
Under certain circumstances, Mastercard may allow consumers to reverse a payment card transaction by filing a chargeback. Chargebacks were designed to be a “last-resort” for disagreements that cannot be resolved with the merchant. However, the’re more often used as a loophole to commit fraud.
Reason code 4808 indicates the broad category “Authorization Errors,” which generally means the transaction was processed without official go-ahead from the issuer. The code can be used in multiple specific situations, many of which had their own individual codes at one time. Multiple Authorization Request chargebacks, for example, formerly fell under legacy reason code 4807, which should no longer be used.
When necessary, an additional message will be provided along with the reason code to inform the merchant which particular type of chargeback applies to the claim. In claims featuring a 4808 reason code, one of the possible causes is “Multiple Authorization Requests.”
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What is a “Multiple Requests” Chargeback?
The list of Mastercard reason codes can be broken down into four categories: authorization, cardholder dispute, fraud, and point-of-interaction. Multiple Requests chargebacks fall under the Authorization heading. This means they occur when the merchant didn’t obtain official authorization, or received it too late.
This reason code implies that authorization for the transaction in question was required, but was denied by the issuer. After that, however, the merchant managed to get approval for the transaction via Mastercard Stand-In.
Stand-In is alternate system and method for transaction processing. It exists to make sure cardholders can use their cards even if there is a problem reaching the issuing bank.
Multiple Authorization Requests Chargebacks: Conditions and Prevention
Issuers have a limited timeframe to file chargebacks claiming an incorrect transaction amount. Disputes must be filed within 90 calendar days of the transaction processing date.
Here are some best practices merchants should implement to prevent disputes claiming an altered or misstated transaction amount:
- Always request authorization before processing a transaction.
- If the transaction is declined, terminate the sale and request an alternate method of payment.
Merchants should train staff members to understand and adhere to these practices. Vigilance and training are the keys to preventing these errors.
Chargeback Prevention: A Wider View
While merchants can take many steps to help prevent legitimate claims, fraudulent chargebacks are another matter. Friendly fraud is post-transactional in nature, meaning there’s no sure way to identify it beforehand. Merchants can do everything “right” yet still have a customer dispute filed against them.
So, while it’s generally more efficient to take a proactive stance when it comes to chargeback management, a truly effective strategy must encompass both prevention and disputing cases of friendly fraud.
Chargebacks911® can help your business manage all aspects of chargeback reason codes, with proprietary technologies and experience-based expertise. Contact us today for a free ROI analysis to learn how much more you could save.
