10 Common Reasons Your Credit Card Was Rejected

You’ve spent months scouring the Internet for the perfect washer and dryer combo to complement your newly renovated laundry room. Finally, you’ve located what appears to be the perfect match at the right price.

Suddenly the deal is off. Your credit card won’t go through, and you have no other immediate form of payment to use before the sale ends.

It’s happened to many of us: You go to close the sale or pay for a meal and are told: “This card’s been denied. Do you have another form of payment?”

Don’t think that this is always a result of sheer financial irresponsibility.

Here are factors that could trigger a credit card rejection, along with tips to remedy the problem.

1. Your Card Is Maxed Out

Going over the limit can have negative consequences, both in the form of fees and denials.

And it can also damage your credit because of the utilization factor, which accounts for 30% of your credit score.

If you’re close to the limit, you can request an increase. But if you get one, don’t use that as an excuse to go on a shopping spree and increase your debt.

2. Fraudulent Purchases

Whether suspected or reported, fraud prompts a credit freeze. It could also result in your current account being closed, followed by the issuance of a new card. To get to the bottom of it, promptly contact your credit card issuer to validate the purchases.

3. Authorized User Dropped From the Account

If you are an authorized user on a credit card account, and the person who is responsible for the charges on the card revokes your rights or completely pulls the plug, you’ll be cut off. You can also lose access temporarily if the card has been reported as lost or stolen.

To avoid being caught off guard, simply request that the lines of communication remain open at all times.

4. Transactions Holds

Some transactions, such as lodging, rental car or other travel reservations, could mandate a hold be placed on your account. Assuming you are close to the limit, your credit card could be rejected at a point of sale until you’ve paid the final bill and the holds are lifted.

To avoid running this risk, keep your balances low to maintain a large amount of available credit — which is good for your credit utilization ratio.

5. Foreign/International Transactions

Foreign transactions can raise credit card companies’ suspicions about fraudulent purchases. In fact, it doesn’t matter if you’re in another country or here in the U.S. and making a foreign purchase online.

The solution? Let your credit card company know before you travel far from home, including when and where you’ll be. And you should also alert them in advance about foreign transactions conducted online.

6. Unusual Purchases

If you make a purchase that seems odd based on your prior behavior, it may be flagged by the credit card company.

Two years ago during Black Friday, I headed to Saks Fifth Avenue in search of some goods that were steeply reduced. My purchases came to $458. The card was quickly denied. (Luckily, I had another form of payment on hand to reduce the extreme level of embarrassment that was clearly evident on my face).

When I called the bank, they released the hold but told me that because I usually don’t shop at “high-end” stores, they figured my credit card information had been stolen.

So, if you’re shopping at a different type of store or making an usually large purchase, my suggestion to you is to always have a backup way to pay and to warn your credit card issuer about your plans before you head out.

7. Delinquent Accounts

Ignore the balance due long enough and the magic plastic may suddenly lose its powers; it depends on the issuer and your history with the company.

Other negative consequences that may result include:

Damage to your credit score once the activity is reported to the credit bureaus.
Lower credit limits if the issuer views you as a greater risk than before.
Fees for late payments.
A higher interest rate.

To avoid the risk of delinquency, set up payment reminders. If money is tight, reach out to the creditor to see if payment arrangements can be made, or if any additional remedies are available to you.

8. Your Card Has Expired

If you didn’t get a new card in the mail before your card’s expiration date, they may not want you as a customer anymore. But don’t just ignore it: You could be a victim of mail fraud.

You should call the company to make sure the card wasn’t stolen or that you didn’t mistake the new card for a piece of junk mail and toss it in the trash.

9. Transposed Numbers

Sometimes you’re asked to provide a ZIP code or the security code on the back of the card to confirm your identity at the point of sale. Mix up any of the digits and a rejection will follow. You can always retry, but enough errors will prompt a lockout until you’ve contacted the card company.

Be careful when you enter those numbers. You want to get them right the first time.

10. A Closed Account

The credit card company can close your account for all sorts of reasons, and doesn’t have to give you advance notice.

You can’t prevent all of them, but it’s a good bet that your card company will keep you if you use the card regularly and responsibly and always pay your bills on time.

This post originally appeared on Money Talks News.