| While processing a card transaction at the point of | | | | If the merchant has enough grounds to believe that the |
| sale, the merchant must use its best efforts, by | | | | card or the cardholder looks suspicious, the merchant |
| reasonable and peaceful means, to retain the card | | | | must contact their merchant services provider's voice |
| while making an authorization request. An authorization | | | | authorization center and state "This is a Code 10 call" |
| from the card issuer is required before completing a | | | | and wait for instructions. Members in regions other |
| transaction in the following instances: | | | | than the U.S. region may adopt a term other than |
| - The transaction amount exceeds the merchant's | | | | Code 10 for use when a merchant is suspicious. In all |
| floor limit or the floor limit applicable to the transaction. | | | | instances, except where the transaction exceeds the |
| - The card is expired or not yet valid. | | | | applicable floor limit, the merchant must inform the |
| - The card is not signed. | | | | authorization center of the reason for the authorization |
| - The merchant wishes to delay presenting the | | | | request. |
| transaction record. | | | | In cases where a cardholder account is listed in on the |
| - The transaction receipt cannot be imprinted although | | | | Electronic Warning Bulletin or regional Warning Notice, |
| the card is present. | | | | the merchant must not complete the transaction. The |
| - The merchant's point-of-sale terminal is unable to | | | | merchant must retain the card by reasonable and |
| read the magnetic stripe or the chip (if one is present) | | | | peaceful means, and only if safe to do so, and call their |
| on the card. | | | | merchant services provider's voice authorization |
| - The account number is listed on the regional Warning | | | | center for further instructions. If a merchant is advised |
| Notice. | | | | by the authorization center's representative to pick up |
| - The transaction is a recurring payment installment | | | | the card, or is given other instructions, the merchant |
| and a previous authorization request was declined by | | | | must use its best efforts to comply with these |
| the card issuer. | | | | instructions. If the authorization center cannot be |
| - The merchant is suspicious of the transaction for any | | | | reached, the merchant must retain the card, if safe to |
| reason. | | | | do so, until the center can be reached. |