invalid_account
Account number isn't valid at the issuer.
What just happened
The card is fundamentally not linked to a valid account at the bank.
Retry strategy
Don't retry. Need a new payment method.
What to tell the customer
Your card account isn't recognized. Please use a different card.
Recommended action
Halt retries, send urgent update-card email.
Want to see what this looks like on your Stripe?
See how often "invalid_account" hits your Stripe account in the last 30 days — and how much MRR is at risk because of it.
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
Is "invalid_account" a soft or hard decline?+
It's classified as a hard decline: Permanent issue with the card. Retries will keep failing — you need a new payment method from the customer.
Should I retry a "invalid_account" decline?+
Don't retry. Need a new payment method.
What should I tell my customer when this happens?+
Your card account isn't recognized. Please use a different card.
How do I prevent this decline going forward?+
Halt retries, send urgent update-card email.
Does Rechurn handle this decline code automatically?+
Yes. Rechurn classifies "invalid_account" and runs the optimal retry cadence with a personalized email sequence. Run a free audit to see how many of your failed charges are this code.