Authorize.net Disputes

Authorize.net Chargeback Dispute: How to Respond and What Evidence to Send

Authorize.net is a payment gateway, so your chargeback is decided by the card network and routed through your acquiring bank. The outcome turns on whether your evidence answers the exact reason code. Here is what to gather and how to submit it.

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To respond to an Authorize.net chargeback, read the dispute notice for the reason code and deadline, gather the evidence that answers that specific code, and submit a labeled response package to your acquiring bank or payment provider before the deadline. Authorize.net moves the transaction; the card network decides the dispute, so your evidence has to read for that reviewer. You keep full control of the response and submit it through your own portal, with no account to connect.

What evidence should you gather?

The weight of each evidence type shifts with the reason code. Prioritize what directly answers the cardholder’s claim rather than sending everything you have.

Evidence TypeWhat It ProvesPriority
AVS & CVV Match RecordsThe cardholder’s address and security code matched at authorizationCritical
Delivery / Tracking ProofThe product reached the address on the orderCritical
Customer CommunicationThe buyer confirmed the order, receipt, or acceptanceCritical
Transaction RecordsOrder details, transaction ID, timestamp, and amountHigh
Refund / Return PolicyThe customer agreed to your terms before purchaseHigh
Product Description RecordsThe item matched what the customer purchasedHigh
IP / Device InformationThe transaction matched the cardholder’s known location or deviceMedium

Which evidence fits your dispute type?

Each dispute type needs a different evidence strategy.

Fraudulent / Unauthorized

The cardholder says they did not authorize this card-not-present transaction.

Key: Lead with AVS and CVV match data from the authorization, then add device, IP, and delivery evidence proving the genuine cardholder placed the order.

  • AVS (address) and CVV2 match results
  • Device fingerprint or IP matching the cardholder
  • Proof the customer used the product after purchase
  • Delivery confirmation to the verified address

Product / Service Not Received

The customer claims they never received what they paid for.

Key: Tracking with delivery confirmation to the order address is essential. For services, documentation that the service was completed.

  • Tracking number with carrier and delivery confirmation
  • Shipping date relative to the order date
  • Service completion records with dates
  • Communication confirming delivery or completion

Not as Described

The customer claims the product or service did not match the description.

Key: Your original listing or service description plus communication showing the customer knew what they were buying.

  • Original product listing or service description
  • Photos of the item as shipped
  • Communication before purchase
  • Return policy shown at checkout

How do you respond to an Authorize.net chargeback?

01

Read the chargeback notice

When a dispute is filed, your acquiring bank or payment provider notifies you through your Authorize.net account or merchant statement. Note the reason code, the transaction ID, and the response deadline shown on the notice.

02

Identify the reason code

The reason code tells you exactly what the cardholder claims. A fraud code needs authorization and identity evidence; a non-receipt code needs delivery proof. Match your evidence to the code before you gather anything else.

03

Gather your evidence

Pull AVS/CVV results, transaction records, delivery or service-completion proof, and customer communication. Authorize.net stores the transaction detail; you supply the delivery and communication records around it.

04

Structure your response

Organize the evidence into a clear narrative with labeled exhibits that answer the reason code point by point. The card network, not Authorize.net, makes the final decision, so the pack must read for that reviewer.

05

Submit before the deadline

Send your response package to your acquiring bank or payment provider through the channel shown on the dispute notice, ahead of the stated deadline. A missed deadline forfeits the dispute automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I respond to an Authorize.net chargeback?
Authorize.net is a payment gateway, so the chargeback is handled by your acquiring bank or payment provider, with the card network making the final call. Read the dispute notice for the reason code and deadline, gather evidence that answers that specific code (AVS/CVV for fraud, delivery proof for non-receipt), organize it into a labeled response package, and submit it to your bank or provider before the deadline.
How long do I have to respond to an Authorize.net dispute?
The response deadline is set by the card network and your acquiring bank, not by Authorize.net itself. Visa typically allows around 30 days and Mastercard up to 45 days from the chargeback, but your bank’s internal cutoff is often earlier. Use the exact date shown on your dispute notice and submit well before it.
What evidence wins an Authorize.net chargeback?
The evidence that matches the reason code. For unauthorized-transaction disputes, AVS and CVV match results, device or IP data, and delivery confirmation to the verified address are strongest. For non-receipt disputes, tracking with delivery confirmation is essential. For not-as-described disputes, your original listing and pre-purchase communication carry the most weight.
Can I use ChargebackKit for Authorize.net disputes?
Yes. ChargebackKit assembles your evidence into a submission-ready pack for any processor, including transactions routed through Authorize.net. You keep full control of the response and submit it through your own bank or provider. The pack is formatted for the card network that reviews the dispute. It is a flat $19 with no account to connect.

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