What Visa reason code 13.8 means
An Original Credit Transaction sends funds to a card instead of charging it. Businesses use OCTs for marketplace seller payouts, gig worker earnings, insurance claims, winnings and person to person transfers. A normal refund of a purchase is not an OCT, so ordinary shop refunds do not lead to 13.8. The issuer files 13.8 when the recipient did not accept the credit, or when the transfer is not permitted in the recipient's country, and the funds are returned to the sender's side.
Typical triggers for a 13.8 chargeback
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The recipient refused the payout or did not recognize the sender.
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The recipient's country or the card program does not allow incoming OCTs of that type.
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A payout went to a card the recipient no longer wanted to use.
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The OCT was sent to the wrong card number entered by the recipient.
Time limits for Visa 13.8
Network timeframes for OCT disputes are typically shorter than for purchase disputes, and the exact window depends on the program and region. Your response window is set by your processor or payout provider. Treat the due date on the dispute record as the only deadline that counts.
Evidence for a 13.8 dispute
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Proof the recipient requested the payout to that exact card, with a timestamp and account login.
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The recipient's acceptance of your payout terms.
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Records showing the card number came from the recipient, not from your system.
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Confirmation that the payout type is allowed for the recipient's country and card program.
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Messages from the recipient that acknowledge the payout.
What to avoid when you respond
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Do not resend the same payout to the same card while the dispute is open.
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Do not answer with purchase evidence such as delivery proof. 13.8 is about a credit to the cardholder, not a sale.
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Do not miss the due date because the dispute sits in a payout tool nobody watches.
How to prevent Visa 13.8 chargebacks
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Confirm the payout card with a small verification step before the first transfer.
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Check that push to card payouts are supported for the recipient's country and card type before sending.
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Show your brand name clearly in the payout descriptor.
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Send a payout notice by email before the funds arrive.
How 13.8 appears in Stripe
Most Stripe merchants never see 13.8, because standard Stripe charges and refunds are not OCTs. When a Visa 13.8 does appear on a connected account, Stripe usually shows it under general, and the raw code 13.8 is always in the network reason code field on the dispute. NoChargeback reads that field, so the case is labelled correctly and the deadline lands in your alerts. See Stripe chargeback protection.
Rebuttal letter opening for Visa 13.8
We are responding to the dispute filed under Visa reason code 13.8. The recipient requested this payout from their logged in account, entered the receiving card number themselves and accepted our payout terms. Push payments of this type are permitted for the card program and country concerned. The request record, the accepted terms and the recipient's confirmation are attached below.
Does a normal refund cause Visa 13.8?
No. A refund of a purchase reverses an earlier sale and is not an Original Credit Transaction. 13.8 applies to push payments such as payouts, winnings and transfers sent to a card.
Which businesses see Visa 13.8 disputes?
Mostly marketplaces paying sellers, gig and creator platforms, insurers paying claims, gaming operators paying winnings and money transfer services. Typical online stores rarely or never receive it.
Can I win a 13.8 dispute?
Sometimes. Proof that the recipient requested the payout to that card and that the transfer type is allowed in their country is the core of a response. If the transfer was not allowed, accepting the dispute is usually the right call.