This article is for paying for a Wise transfer using a bank-issued debit or credit card. If you are having trouble spending with your Wise card, check here.
Most card payments fail because of bank limits or security checks. If the solutions below don't work, we recommend trying a different payment method like a bank transfer.
Your bank declined the payment
This is the most common reason for a failure. It means your bank told us not to take the money. They often do this for unusually large payments or a first-time payment to a new recipient.
How to fix it:
Contact your bank. Tell them it was you making the payment and that Wise is a trusted merchant.
Check your limits. Some banks treat card payments like cash withdrawals. This means your daily cash limit might be the reason for the decline, even if you have enough money in your account.
Try again. Once your bank confirms they've unblocked the transaction, try making the payment again.
What if my bank says there’s no issue?
If your bank can't see the transaction at all, it usually means the payment was stopped by a security check before it reached them. Try these steps:
Make sure you entered your CVV/CVC and expiry date correctly.
If you’re using a saved card, delete it and enter the details manually.
Ensure your card was issued in a supported country.
Your 3D Secure verification isn't working
3D Secure is the extra security step (like a code sent via SMS or a notification in your bank app) used to confirm the payment.
If you’re using the app:
Ensure your bank app is updated to the latest version.
Check that you have a stable internet or phone signal to receive SMS codes.
Open your bank app manually to see if there is a pending approval notification.
If you’re using a web browser:
Turn off ad-blockers. These can stop the 3D Secure pop-up from appearing.
Clear your cookies and cache. Sometimes old data interferes with the verification screen.
Try incognito mode. This helps identify if a browser extension is causing the issue.
Check your antivirus/firewall. Ensure Wise is on your "safe merchants" list and that pop-ups are allowed.
Wise declined the payment
To keep your money safe, we occasionally stop payments if we notice potentially fraudulent activity. We might also decline the payment if:
Your card was issued in a country we don't currently support.
The name on the card doesn't match the name on your Wise account. We can only accept payments from your own bank card.
Specific bank issues
If you have a card issued by Crédit Agricole or Le Crédit Lyonnais (LCL), payments are frequently declined due to their internal policies. You can read more here.