What American Express F31 means
An EMV liability shift for chip-and-PIN cards. It excludes contactless, digital wallet payments and charges under the No Signature/No PIN Program.
Common causes
- Terminal that cannot accept PIN on chip-and-PIN cards
- Manually keyed transaction for a PIN-capable card
- Online orders miscoded as card present
Evidence that answers it
- Proof the charge was card not present
- Proof the terminal processed a chip transaction with PIN validated
- Proof of an offsetting credit
How to prevent it
- Use chip-and-PIN capable terminals where Card Members carry PIN cards
- Never key-enter a card that can be dipped
How Verdikx helps with F31
Verdikx applies its fraud playbook and attaches the processor's transaction record showing an online sale. Card-present terminal logs are outside what Verdikx imports, so in-person disputes rely on your terminal provider's records.
Frequently asked questions
What does American Express reason code F31 mean?
Amex F31 means a lost, stolen or never-received chip-and-PIN card was used at a terminal that did not process it as a chip transaction with PIN, so the Card Member's fraud claim shifts liability to the merchant. Online merchants can rebut it by proving the charge was card not present.
Is American Express F31 worth fighting?
Our reference rates F31 (EMV Lost/Stolen/Non-Received) rarely winnable, so check the facts before spending time on a response. The evidence that answers it starts with proof the charge was card not present. The cardholder's bank decides the outcome.
How long does a cardholder have to file a American Express F31 chargeback?
Usually 120 days from the transaction date, under the network's issuer time limits for most codes. Your processor gives you far less time to respond, so work from the due date on the case.
Answer your next F31 with the right evidence.
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Sources
- American Express: How to Manage and Help Prevent Disputes (US reference guide, version 2024PROP) (checked October 5, 2026)
Last reviewed by Verdikx Research.