A 23-digit Acquirer Reference Number (ARN) is generally not a fixed standard. While ARNs are alphanumeric codes used to track credit card transactions, they are typically between 8 and 30 characters long, and a specific length of 23 digits isn't universally mandated.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about ARNs:
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Purpose: An ARN is a unique tracking number assigned to a credit card transaction as it moves from the merchant's bank (the acquirer) through the payment network (like Visa or Mastercard) to the cardholder's bank (the issuer). It's essentially a transaction's fingerprint.
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Variability: The structure and length of an ARN can vary depending on the payment processor and the card network. Some networks might use a specific length or character set, but a fixed 23-digit standard doesn't exist universally.
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Content: ARNs typically contain information that helps identify the transaction, such as:
- Transaction date and time
- Acquirer information
- Transaction amount (sometimes encoded)
- Other relevant details for tracing the transaction
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Use Cases: ARNs are primarily used by banks and payment processors to:
- Track transactions
- Resolve disputes and chargebacks
- Investigate processing errors
- Correspond about transaction issues
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Finding an ARN: If you are a cardholder needing an ARN, you typically must contact your bank or the merchant to obtain it. It's not something readily visible on your credit card statement.
In Summary: While ARNs generally fall within an 8-30 character range, the statement that they are always a 23-digit code is not accurate. Their format and length depend on the involved payment networks and processors.
