Guide - Pick Up Card Error

What does pick up card mean?
The error message “Pick up card” means that the customer’s bank has declined the transaction.

Scenario 1: No fraud
If this happens, the customer should call their issuing bank (the number is usually on the back of the credit card) and enquire as to why the transaction was declined and whitelist the transaction to go through if it was authorized.

Scenario 2: Fraudulent activity detected
Failure code 07 indicates that fraudulent activity has been detected on the customer’s account, causing the transaction to be declined by their bank. If this is a one-time transaction, it’s best not to try it again, nor to provide any goods or services to the customer who is attempting the transaction.

If it’s a recurring or scheduled transaction, the card may have been flagged after the last successfully processed payment or after the authorization for the scheduled payment. If this is the case, you should ask the customer for a new credit card number or an alternative form of payment.

Scenario 3: Lost card
If a transaction is declined and you receive failure code 41, this means that the customer’s bank is preventing authorization of the transaction as the owner of the card has reported it as lost.

If this is a one-time transaction, it’s best not to attempt it again, nor to provide any goods or services to the customer who is attempting the transaction. If it’s a recurring or scheduled transaction, the card may have been lost after the last successfully processed payment or after the authorization for the scheduled payment. If this is the case, you should ask the customer for a new credit card number or an alternative form of payment.

Scenario 4: Stolen card
Failure code 43 means the card’s rightful owner has reported it as stolen, causing the issuing bank to prevent the transaction from being authorized. If it’s a one-time transaction, do not attempt it again and do not provide any goods or services to the person attempting to use the card.

If the transaction is recurring or scheduled, the card may have been stolen after the last successfully processed payment or after the authorization for the scheduled payment. If this is the case, you should ask the customer for a new credit card number or an alternative form of payment.

If you are handling remote payments, and you are in scenarios 2, 3, or 4, make sure to replace the old/lost/stolen account number with the new one.

The bottom line
There are a number of reasons why a transaction could prompt the “Pick up card” error message, but hopefully, it is now clearer as to what the codes mean, why the transaction could be unauthorized, and what you should do in each case.