Whether you are shopping online or in-person, like at a grocery store, it can be frustrating when your debit card declines. There can be a number of reasons a transaction may not have been successful. While most declines are due to simple reasons, such as incorrect PIN or expired cards, other declines may be related to more serious reasons like unusual activity.
Many decline reasons are related to security features designed to help keep your funds safe.
The most common reason for a declined transaction is insufficient funds.
Be sure to check the available funds in your account before making a purchase. There are multiple ways to add funds to your Dave Checking account. If you’re still running into trouble, here are additional things to look for:
Debit Card Isn't Active
If you’ve just received your Dave debit card, make sure you’ve activated your card before attempting any purchases.
Wrong Information Entered
Double check any information you’ve entered include; billing address, expiration date and CVV code (three digit number on back of the card).
Transaction Limits
Be sure to review the spending limits of your account. You may just need to try your purchase later. If you are making a large purchase, you’ll want to review your account to ensure you will not be over your limit when attempting the transaction.
Damaged/Expired Debit Card
If your debit card is damaged or expired, request a new card in the app. You will be able to use your virtual debit card while you wait for your physical debit card to arrive.
Entering the Wrong PIN
If you’re having trouble remembering your PIN number you can reset your PIN in the app. If you incorrectly enter the PIN up to 3 times, this may freeze your card. You will be able to reset your PIN within 24 hours if this occurs. You may not be able to make further purchases until the PIN has been reset.
Card Type Not Accepted
Some merchants only accept certain card types. Be sure to check that the store/merchant accepts MasterCard or you may need to try a different payment method.
International Travel
If you are traveling outside of the US and plan to use your Dave debit card, you’ll want to update your settings to avoid potential declines on your card. Just use the following steps:
- In the app, go to settings ⚙️
- Under Accounts, click Dave Checking
- Enable Activity outside the US option
You can disable this setting at any time.