Overview
When your card is declined at checkout, you'll see an error message saying "Your card was declined." This happens when your bank (the card issuer) blocks the transaction—not PickFu. This guide will help you understand why this occurs and what steps to take to complete your purchase.
Who this affects
Any user attempting to purchase a poll or subscription with a credit or debit card may encounter a decline.
What to do if your card is declined
Important: Card declines are issued by your bank or card issuer, not by PickFu. We recommend contacting your bank directly to resolve the issue.
Contact your bank or card issuer using the number on the back of your card. Tell them you're trying to make a legitimate purchase and ask why the transaction was declined.
Verify your card details are entered correctly, including:
Card number
Expiration date
CVV/security code
Billing address (must match the address on file with your bank)
Try a different payment method if you have another card available.
Wait 24 hours before retrying the same card, as some banks temporarily block repeated attempts.
Common reasons for card declines
Based on our payment processor (Stripe) and banking industry standards, here are the most common reasons your bank might decline a transaction:
1. Insufficient funds or credit limit reached (44% of declines)
Your account doesn't have enough available funds or credit to cover the purchase amount. Check your account balance and available credit limit.
Pro tip: Pending transactions can reduce your available credit even before they fully process. Check for any pending charges that might be affecting your limit.
2. Fraud prevention trigger
Your bank's fraud detection system may flag the transaction as suspicious, especially if:
You're making a larger than usual purchase
You're using your card from an unusual location
You're making multiple transactions in a short period
This is your first international transaction
Prevention: Notify your bank before making large purchases or if you're traveling to avoid fraud blocks.
3. Incorrect card information
Even a small typo can cause a decline. Common mistakes include:
Wrong card number
Incorrect expiration date
Wrong CVV code
Billing address doesn't match bank records
4. Expired or inactive card
Your card may have expired, or you haven't activated a replacement card your bank sent you.
5. Card reported lost or stolen
If you or your bank reported the card as lost or stolen, all transactions will be blocked. You'll need to use a different card.
6. Bank restrictions or holds
Some banks place restrictions on certain types of online transactions or specific merchants. Contact your bank to verify your card is authorized for online purchases.
7. International transaction blocks
If you're outside your home country, your bank may block international transactions by default. Enable international purchases through your bank's app or customer service.
8. Authentication required (3D Secure)
Some transactions require additional verification through 3D Secure authentication. If prompted, complete the verification step in the popup window or via your banking app.
If you're redirected to your bank's authentication page, complete the verification and you'll be returned to PickFu to finish your purchase.
Troubleshooting specific errors
Error message | What it means | What to do |
"Your card was declined" | Generic decline from your bank | Contact your bank to determine the specific reason |
"Insufficient funds" | Not enough money or credit available | Add funds or use a different payment method |
"Checkout failed to load" | Technical issue or browser problem | Clear browser cache, try a different browser, or disable VPN |
"Authentication required" | Additional verification needed | Complete the 3D Secure authentication when prompted |
Alternative payment options
If you continue to experience issues with your card, consider these alternatives:
Try a different card: Use another credit or debit card if available
Request an invoice: Contact PickFu support to request an invoice and payment link as an alternative payment method
WeChat Pay: If you're in a supported region, you can use WeChat Pay for payment
Still having trouble?
Before contacting support: Try the troubleshooting steps above first, especially contacting your bank. PickFu cannot override bank declines or see specific decline reasons from your card issuer.
If you've contacted your bank and tried alternative payment methods but still can't complete your purchase, gather this information before reaching out to PickFu support:
The exact error message you're seeing
What your bank told you when you contacted them
The last 4 digits of the card you're trying to use
Screenshots of the error (if possible)
Whether you've successfully used this card on PickFu before
Prevention tips
Best practices to avoid declined transactions:
Keep your card details up-to-date in your account
Ensure sufficient funds before starting a poll purchase
Notify your bank about upcoming large purchases
Save a backup payment method to your account
Enable international transactions if you travel frequently
Monitor your card for expiration dates and activate replacement cards promptly
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was charged but my poll didn't run?
After checkout, it can take a few minutes for your poll to start running. Wait at least 10 minutes before taking action.
If your poll still hasn't started after 10 minutes, contact PickFu support. Our team can manually start your poll for you. In cases where the poll cannot be started, we'll investigate and process refunds where appropriate. Refunds typically take 5-10 business days to appear in your account.
I was charged twice. What should I do?
Duplicate charges can occur if you refresh the checkout page multiple times. Contact support with your receipt numbers and bank confirmation. We'll verify the duplicate charge and process a refund for the extra payment.
Does PickFu accept prepaid cards?
Yes! We accept prepaid cards issued by major card companies (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) as long as they have sufficient funds available.
I'm hitting the 3,000 RMB daily limit with WeChat Pay. What can I do?
WeChat Pay has a 3,000 RMB (~$420 USD) daily transaction limit. If you need to purchase more credits:
Buy smaller amounts: Purchase $250 USD worth of credits each day until you have enough
Contact us on WeChat: For larger amounts, reach out to us via WeChat or PickFu support, and we can arrange an alternative payment method
Use a credit card instead: Credit and debit cards don't have this daily limit
Can I get a refund if my card keeps getting declined?
Card declines happen before any charge is processed, so there's nothing to refund. However, if you were charged and then saw a decline error, contact support immediately to verify the transaction status.
Why does it say "Checkout failed to load"?
This error is usually caused by browser or connection issues, not card problems. Try these solutions:
Clear your browser cache and cookies
Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
Disable VPN or ad blockers temporarily
Make sure you're logged into your PickFu account
Check your internet connection
If the problem persists after trying all these steps, contact support for an invoice and alternative payment link.