Stripe decline code
fraudulent
The charge was flagged as likely fraudulent by Stripe Radar or the issuer. This can occasionally hit legitimate recurring charges.
Quick answer
fraudulent is a hard decline. Retrying will keep failing; the customer has to act.
| Decline code | fraudulent |
|---|---|
| Type | Hard (needs customer action) |
| Retrying helps? | No |
| Category | Fraud or security |
| Customer fix | Contact the bank to confirm the charge is legitimate. |
Will retrying help?
No, retrying will keep failing
Never keep retrying. Email the customer asking them to confirm the charge with their bank, then retry once approved, or request a new card.
A real example
Stripe Radar or the issuer flags a legitimate renewal as suspicious and blocks it.
What the customer needs to do
Contact the bank to confirm the charge is legitimate.
Your recovery approach
Never keep retrying. Email the customer asking them to confirm the charge with their bank, then retry once approved, or request a new card.
Copy-paste recovery email
Subject
Quick check on your [Product] payment
Your bank flagged our charge as suspicious, even though it is your legitimate [Product] renewal.
Please confirm the charge with your bank, or add a different card below, and we will get you sorted.
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FAQ
What does the Stripe "fraudulent" decline code mean?
The charge was flagged as likely fraudulent by Stripe Radar or the issuer. This can occasionally hit legitimate recurring charges.
Will retrying a "fraudulent" decline work?
No. fraudulent is a hard decline, so retrying the same card will keep failing. Never keep retrying. Email the customer asking them to confirm the charge with their bank, then retry once approved, or request a new card.
How do I recover a payment that failed with "fraudulent"?
Never keep retrying. Email the customer asking them to confirm the charge with their bank, then retry once approved, or request a new card. Customer action: Contact the bank to confirm the charge is legitimate.
Related decline codes
Source: official Stripe decline codes documentation. Recovery guidance is SubRevival's own.