Unreferenced refunds explained
Unreferenced refunds are refunds that are processed separately from the original payment.
Unlike standard refunds, they are not linked to a specific transaction or the original card used.
This type of refund is usually used in special cases, for example when the original transaction can’t be located or a referenced refund isn’t possible.
How unreferenced refunds work
With an unreferenced refund:
The refund is not tied to an existing payment record
The cardholder may need to provide additional details
The refund is processed as a separate transaction
Because these refunds carry a higher level of risk, they require additional checks before they can be approved.
Compliance approval required
All unreferenced refund requests must be reviewed by our compliance team to ensure they are secure and meet regulatory requirements.
Each request is:
Reviewed individually
Subject to approval before processing
Typically limited to a maximum amount per refund
This helps protect both merchants and customers from fraud or misuse.
Why are extra steps needed?
Unreferenced refunds are more sensitive than standard refunds because they are not connected to a verified original transaction.
The extra checks are in place to:
Prevent fraudulent refunds
Ensure refunds are processed correctly
Keep your account and customers secure
Maintain compliance with card scheme rules
Requesting an unreferenced refund
If you need to request an unreferenced refund, please follow the steps in our guide: