Why Was My Payment Method Rejected?
Running into trouble while trying to make a purchase? Don’t worry — payment rejections can happen for a variety of reasons, and most are quick to resolve.
Here are the most common causes for a declined payment and what you can do to fix them:
1. Bank Authorization Needed
Many banks and card issuers require you to approve a security notification or text message before allowing a purchase. This is an added fraud prevention measure.
✅ Check your SMS, banking app, or email for a request to approve the transaction. Once approved, try the purchase again.
2. Insufficient Funds
Your payment may be declined if your account doesn’t have enough available funds to cover the transaction. This applies to both debit and credit cards.
💡 Tip: Double-check your available balance before retrying the purchase.
3. Name Mismatch
To prevent fraud and unauthorized transactions, we require that the name on your:
Payment method
Gains account
Government-issued ID (for verification)
...all match. If the names don’t match, your payment may be automatically rejected.
✅ Make sure you’re using a card or payment method that belongs to you and reflects the same legal name on your Gains profile and ID.
4. Card Type or Region Not Supported
Some cards, especially international or prepaid cards, may be declined if they are not supported by our processor.
We support Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Some prepaid debit cards or cards with international billing addresses may be blocked.
✅ Try using a different supported card or payment method like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or crypto.
5. Apple Pay & Google Pay Specific Tips
Ensure your device has biometric or passcode security enabled.
Make sure the card you’ve added to your Apple or Google Wallet is valid and not expired.
For Google Pay: Chrome must be updated, and the correct Google account must be selected.
6. Fraud Prevention Flags
If our payment processor or fraud detection systems flag your payment attempt as suspicious, the transaction may be auto-declined for safety.
✅ Use your own device, network, and payment method. Avoid using VPNs or submitting multiple payment attempts rapidly.
7. Browser or Network Issues
Sometimes, a failed payment is caused by temporary browser, device, or connection issues.
✅ Try clearing your browser cache, switching to a different device, or using a strong Wi-Fi connection.