We understand that payment declines or billing errors can be frustrating. This article will walk you through common reasons why a payment may not go through and provide steps to resolve these issues.
Common Reasons for Payment Declines
Below are some of the most frequent causes for a payment not going through:
- Insufficient funds: Your account may not have enough money to cover the charge.
- Incorrect card details: Ensure the card number, expiration date, and CVV code are entered correctly.
-
- Avoid Autofill: Sometimes, the autofill feature on your device prevents our system from recognizing your card details. Try manually entering your card information in the Card Number field.
- Enter Only Digits in the Card Number Field: Please do not include spaces, dashes, or symbols.
- Exact Cardholder Name: Make sure the cardholder name matches what is shown on your card.
- Expired Card: Ensure the card has not expired. If it has, update to a new card.
- Correct Billing Zip Code: Verify that the billing zip code you enter matches the one associated with your card.
- Gift/International Cards: For gift or international cards, use the zip code “12345.”
- Security Code (CVV): Double-check that the security code is entered correctly.
-
- Bank restrictions: Some banks block online or recurring charges for security purposes. Call your bank to lift any restrictions.
- Network or Technical Issues: Occasionally, temporary network issues or restrictions by our payment processor can prevent a transaction from completing. Waiting a few minutes and trying again often resolves this.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Follow these steps to troubleshoot a declined payment:
-
Verify Payment Information
- Log in to your ABCmouse account.
- Go to the Parent Section > My Account > Billing.
- Check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV code are correct. If needed, update your payment details.
-
Check for Bank Blocks
- Call your bank or financial institution. Let them know about the declined charge and ask them to approve it if necessary.
-
Try an Alternate Payment Method
- If possible, add a different credit or debit card in the Billing section.
-
Retry the Payment
- Once you’ve updated your information or contacted your bank, try making the payment again.
Specific Error Messages and What They Mean
Here are some common error messages you might encounter and how to handle them:
- "Payment Declined": This usually means there are insufficient funds, or your bank has flagged the charge. Double-check your account balance or call your bank.
- "Invalid Card Details": Verify that the card number, expiration date, and CVV code are correctly entered.
- "Card Expired": If your card has expired, you’ll need to add a new one.
If you’ve reviewed these factors and your card is still being declined, please try using a different payment method.