Understanding Error Code 58: Transaction Not Permitted to Card Holder
When processing credit card transactions, merchants occasionally encounter Credit Card Decline Codes or Credit Card Error Codes that indicate why a transaction cannot be completed. These codes are generated by the card issuer or the payment processor to provide a clear explanation for the decline, helping merchants and cardholders identify and address the issue.
One common decline code is Error Code 58, which specifically indicates that the transaction is not permitted by the terminal. Understanding what this error means and how to resolve it is important for maintaining smooth payment operations.
What is Error Code 58: Transaction Not Permitted?
Error Code 58, also referred to as Decline Code 58, occurs when the terminal is configured to block a specific type of transaction. This error often arises in the following situations:
Unauthorized Transaction Type: The transaction being attempted may not be supported for the merchant’s terminal or account setup. For example, certain terminals are not configured to handle manual card entries, refunds, or foreign currency transactions.
Restricted Merchant Category: The merchant’s account may be limited to specific transaction types based on their category. For instance, some accounts are restricted from accepting cash advances or processing transactions in certain industries.
Cardholder Restrictions: The issuing bank may have placed limitations on the cardholder’s account, preventing certain transaction types like cross-border purchases or high-value transactions.
Terminal Misconfiguration: The payment terminal itself may not be set up properly to accept the type of transaction being attempted, such as contactless payments or specific card networks.
How to Fix or Resolve a Transaction Not Permitted Error
Resolving Error Code 58 requires a systematic approach to identify and correct the root cause. Here are steps you can take:
1. Verify Terminal Configuration
- Check the terminal’s settings to ensure it is correctly configured to handle the type of transaction you’re attempting.
- Make sure the terminal is updated with the latest software to avoid compatibility issues.
- Contact your payment processor or terminal provider to confirm that all necessary functionalities, such as manual entry or international transactions, are enabled.
2. Confirm Merchant Account Permissions
- Review the terms of your merchant account to verify that the attempted transaction type is permitted.
- If certain restrictions are in place (e.g., no refunds or cross-border payments), contact your payment processor to request changes or upgrades to your account.
3. Reach Out to the Cardholder
- If the issue seems to stem from the cardholder’s account, advise them to contact their issuing bank to verify that their card supports the transaction type and is not subject to restrictions.
4. Retry the Transaction
- Sometimes, simply reattempting the transaction after ensuring the correct configuration can resolve the issue.
- If the problem persists, try processing the transaction using an alternative method, such as chip-and-PIN, tap-to-pay, or manual entry.
5. Contact Your Payment Processor
- If you’ve ruled out terminal and account issues, contact your payment processor for further assistance. They can provide insights into the error and may offer additional troubleshooting steps specific to your setup.
6. Educate Your Team
- Train your staff to recognize and respond to error codes like Error Code 58 efficiently. A well-informed team can reduce downtime and improve customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
Error Code 58: Transaction Not Permitted is a common issue that occurs when a terminal is restricted from processing a specific type of transaction. While it can be frustrating, understanding the potential causes and knowing how to resolve the error can help merchants address the issue quickly. By verifying terminal settings, ensuring merchant account permissions, and working with cardholders and payment processors, merchants can minimize disruptions and maintain seamless payment operations.
If you frequently encounter Error Code 58 or similar issues, it may be worth reviewing your terminal setup or upgrading your merchant account to support a broader range of transactions.
