Forced Authorization Codes: How to Force Credit Card Authorizations & When it’s OK to do so
Credit and debit card transactions involve a lot of machinations behind the scenes.
Take authorization, for example. This is where the customer’s bank runs a quick electronic check on the credit card being used for the purchase. It happens so fast, the customer may not even know it occurred. It’s a crucial part of the process though. You must have the issuer’s OK before a transaction can proceed.
Most of the time this isn’t a problem. But, what happens if you get a decline code as a response?
Declines can happen due to a mismatch with the Address Verification System (AVS), an incorrect security code, the card having been reported stolen… literally scores of different decline codes exist.
The good news is that, even if the card is declined, you may be able to save the sale. In this post, we talk about forced authorization decline codes, how and why you’d use one, and how to keep crooks from playing the system to scam you.
Recommended reading
- Authorization Holds: What are They & Why Are They Used?
- What Are Transaction IDs? How They Help Stop Fraud
- Credit Card Decline Codes: The Complete List for 2025
- What is Payment Capture? Is it the Same as Authorization?
- Credit Card Decline Rate: How to Calculate & Recover Sales
- Do You Know the Credit Card Authorization Codes?
Can a Merchant Force an Authorization?
The short answer is “yes,” you can force an authorization. But, this only works in certain situations, and only with soft declines.
A soft decline is a temporary authorization decline that can usually be easily resolved. A customer may have accidentally entered the wrong PIN, for instance, or your payment gateway may have been down momentarily when you requested authorization.
I’ll give you an example: say you’re trying to complete a purchase in a brick-and-mortar outlet. But, your customer removes their card from the card reader prematurely multiple times. The transaction will be declined. Your payment software, however, may tell you to call the bank and try to force the transaction.
What is a Forced Authorization Code?
- Forced Authorization Code
A forced authorization code is a six-digit code supplied by an issuing bank to a merchant. The code allows the merchant to override a declined authorization request.
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If you call the bank and they agree to authorize the sale, they’ll give you a six-digit forced code that you can enter into your POS terminal and override the decline. The code in question is a forced authorization code.
Going with our earlier analogy, it would be like obtaining a pass to show the gatekeeper that you have permission to go through a gate.
How Forced Authorization Codes Work
A forced authorization consists of three basic steps:
That’s a very basic outline. Your payment processor will probably have specific procedures to follow in order to request and apply a forced authorization code. Check with your processor for any specific instructions on this front.
Sometimes when people talk about forcing a card transaction, they have something different in mind. Merchants — often at the customer’s request — may try to circumvent the system to push a declined payment through. This is a mistake, though; even if it works, the transaction will usually result in a chargeback.
When Do You Use Forced Authorization Codes?
Merchants can request a forced authorization code if a decline resulted from a valid cardholder incorrectly entering a PIN, a transaction limit, or an AVS mismatch, among other situations.
The process for forcing a credit card authorization is pretty straightforward, but it’s not always an option. It only applies in certain scenarios. You can request a forced authorization code in response to:
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These are just some examples where you might be instructed to force an authorization. If it works, it will likely make the customer happy. Unfortunately, forced authorizations may make your business more vulnerable to scams and chargebacks. And, keep in mind that all the risk and potential liability of a forced transaction is on you.
Can Scammers Take Advantage of Forced Authorization Codes?
Yes. Forced authorization codes are simply a random set of digits. That means scammers can make up codes to force authorization on sales with bogus cards.
Here’s a scenario: a customer gets declined and says they’ll call the bank themselves. That’s a huge relief to you, especially if there are other buyers waiting to check out. The declined buyer comes back with a code, it works, and everything’s great.
Except for one thing: there is nothing special about an authorization code. As far as your software is concerned, pretty much any six-digit number will work. If you enter a code given to you by the customer, you really don’t know if what you entered is legit or not.
Obviously, this hole in the process allows scammers to exploit the system and get merchandise for free. As we mentioned earlier, you’re the one who’ll get stuck with the bill. And, you typically won’t even identify the scam until a month or more later.
This crime isn’t restricted to individuals. Professional scammers run sophisticated operations where the bad guys recruit one or more merchants to act as accomplices, helping them steal or launder large amounts at one time.
Here, the fraudster often starts with identity theft, harvesting as many closed accounts as they can. They attempt purchases with the cards, knowing they’ll be declined. When that happens, the crook pretends to call the issuer before handing you a fake authorization code.
The scammer is the only one who actually knows that it’s a scam. To everyone else, the transaction looks legit… at least until the transaction is processed. By that time, the crook could have made dozens or even hundreds of purchases and disappeared.
How to Mitigate Risks With Forced Authorization Codes
Forcing an authorization should be handled very carefully.
This actually is a valid procedure, under the right circumstances. But, if it ends up being a scam like we described above, it will inevitably result in a chargeback against you. And, there’s nothing you can do about it at that point.
With that in mind, here are a few best practices to consider:
- Never trust an authorization code provided by the cardholder. Always have one of your people personally talk to the bank.
- Require additional identification, especially for high-ticket sales. Ask phone or online customers to text or email you some form of official ID.
- Don’t hand your terminal to customers to complete their transaction. Make sure you see what code they’re entering and save a copy.
- If the customer insists on contacting the issuer for themselves, let them… just insist on being part of the conversation.
- Train your staff. Ensure that all personnel can spot red flags of authorization code scams.
None of the above best practices are a sure thing. For example, imagine that the customer says they’ll call the bank for an forced authorization code. They offer you the phone, and a voice on the other end gives you a code. You still can’t be 100% sure that the person on the other end is actually from the bank. They may be an accomplice pretending to be from the bank.
The best best practice? Avoid forcing authorizations altogether, whenever possible. If a credit card transaction is initially declined, ask for a different form of payment. Customers will typically provide one just to escape embarrassment. In the end, it’s safer and easier for everyone involved.
That’s one tip for avoiding chargebacks, but we have lots more. Chargebacks911® offers a wealth of experience-based knowledge and expertise in helping merchants like you create strategies for avoiding fraud, scams, and chargebacks of all types. Contact us today to learn more.
FAQs
What is a forced authorization?
A force authorization code is used for transactions where traditional authorization methods result in a decline. Essentially, the merchant submits a charge for authorization, but the processor or bank rejects the request. The merchant may then have the option to manually enter an approval code, override the decline, and “force” the transaction through.
What is a forced debit transaction?
A forced debit is a way to move a specific check or debit transaction to the front of the line for payment. It’s a tool that ensures the payment processor prioritizes the transaction in question; it will be paid first, regardless of other pending transactions.
How do I get a credit card authorization code?
When the cardholder’s card is read by the merchant’s POS system, the terminal relays a digital fingerprint to the issuing bank for verification and permission to process. Within seconds, an approval or denial code will show up on the terminal.
How do I find my 6 digit authorization code?
After requesting authorization, an approval or denial code can be found on the point-of-sale (POS) terminal or the top or bottom of a printed receipt.
What is the authorization code for a credit card?
Credit card authorization codes are alphanumeric representations indicating whether or not a credit card transaction has been approved.
