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When a Dispute Over a Return Comes Down to a Simple Misunderstanding
In the ACH world, sometimes a return gets challenged because one party believes the return was a mistake or a duplicate. But what if that assumption is wrong?
That’s exactly where ACH Return Code R75 comes into play.
Let’s walk through what R75 – Original Return Not a Duplicate means, why it happens, and how to clear things up if it crosses your path.
What Does R75 Actually Mean?
ACH Return Code R75 stands for:
“Original Return Not a Duplicate.”
Here’s how NACHA officially puts it:
R75 – Original Return Not a Duplicate: A dishonored return entry was incorrectly initiated because the original return was not a duplicate of an earlier transaction.
In everyday terms:
Someone challenged a return thinking it was a duplicate, but it wasn’t. The original return was valid and unique.
How This Happens: Common Causes Behind R75
Mistakes happen, especially when there are a lot of moving pieces. Here’s why you might run into an R75:
Misunderstanding during return processing—someone thought they already handled the return
Banking system lag or delays that make it look like the same transaction hit twice
Human error while reviewing batches of returns
Confusing reference or trace numbers that made two different returns appear identical
R75 is essentially a way of saying, “Nope, this wasn’t a mistake—the return you see is the right one.”
What to Do If You See an R75 ACH Return Code
Step 1: Compare the Transactions
Look at the details—trace numbers, amounts, account numbers, and settlement dates. Confirm that the original return was indeed unique and valid.
Step 2: Check the Dishonor Reason
The dishonor return that triggered the R75 should state why the RDFI believed the original was a duplicate. Review their reasoning carefully.
Step 3: Maintain the Original Return Status
Since the R75 confirms the original return was not a duplicate, you can proceed with treating the original return as final.
Step 4: Document Everything Clearly
Update your records to show that the original return stood on its own and was properly validated. Good documentation helps if any follow-up questions arise.
How to Stay Clear of R75 Confusion
While you can’t always prevent other banks from mistakenly dishonoring returns, you can make things easier by:
Submitting clean, accurate return entries with correct trace numbers and reference info
Keeping return records highly organized
Training your team to double-check batch records for potential mix-ups
Working with an ACH provider who has strong reconciliation processes and can catch disputes early
The smoother your return processes are, the easier it is to resolve any confusion quickly.
Get ACH Payment Processing with Durango merchant Services
ACH Return Code R75—“Original Return Not a Duplicate”—simply means the system confirmed that your original return was properly filed and not a repeat entry. It’s a bit of a housekeeping code, but it’s an important one for keeping your payment history accurate.
At Durango Merchant Services, we help businesses manage ACH payments and returns the right way—whether that means avoiding errors in the first place or navigating technical return codes like R75 with confidence.
