Checkout.com · Decline codes
What does Checkout.com 20183 “Security” mean?
Checked
Checkout.com 20183 "Security" means the transaction is suspected to be fraudulent. Checkout.com points to recommendation codes for the next step. Treat it like other fraud-related declines: no automatic retries, and a closer look if the same visitor keeps trying different cards.
- Type
- Soft decline (20xxx)
- Who declined
- The shopper's card issuer
- Retry
- Possibly. Visa category 4 (generic): at most 15 retries in 30 days
- Shopper action
- Contact the bank, or use another card
- Merchant action
- Do not retry automatically; check the recommendation code
What PlatformDTC does
Checkout.com 20183 is not in PlatformDTC's reroute table, and PlatformDTC never reroutes a code it has not classified: checkout shows the decline instead of sending the card to a backup processor. A subscription renewal declined with 20183 is never retried: the subscription is held past due and the customer is emailed a link to add a new card.
Why it happens
The issuer's security checks rated the payment as likely fraud.
What the shopper can do
If the payment is genuine, call the bank to confirm it, then try again or use another card.
What the store can do
Respect recommendation code 03 (do not try again) when present.
For developers
The payment comes back with status Declined, response_code 20183 and a response_summary such as "Security" (Checkout.com notes the text can vary by endpoint). Checkout.com's Visa table puts this code in category 4, which it pairs with recommendation code 02 (try again later); read processing.recommendation_code on the response.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Checkout.com 20183 the same as 20059?
- Both relate to suspected fraud. 20059 is the classic suspected fraud code; 20183 is the security reason Checkout.com documents with recommendation codes.
- Can the real cardholder still pay after 20183?
- Yes, usually after confirming the purchase with their bank.
Sources
- API response codes — Checkout.com
- Recommendation codes — Checkout.com
Related
- 20182 — The payment does not comply with the card's policies.
- 20179 — The card data is no longer valid, for example an outdated card.
- 20159 — The bank's authentication server failed during 3-D Secure.
- 30004 — The bank wants the card taken out of use, without saying fraud. Never retry.
- 30007 — The bank withdrew the card under special conditions. Never retry.
- 30015 — The card number does not belong to any known bank. Usually a typo.
- 30020 — The payment amount was not valid.
- 30021 — The card has reached its total spending limit.