Understanding Discover Chargeback Reason Code IC: Illegible Sales Data

Discover chargeback reason code IC appears when the issuer cannot read the sales data you provided after a retrieval request. It often stems from faded, damaged, or poorly scanned receipts. With a clear, legible copy, you can often fight the case and get the chargeback reversed within the set time limit.

Key Takeaways

• What it means: The issuer could not read key details on the sales data you sent.
• Causes: Faded printing, low ink, damage, poor scans, wrong file size or resolution.
• How to respond: Send clear, legible copies of the sales receipt and related documents.
• How to prevent: Print clearly, store and back up records, and keep high‑quality digital scans.

What is a Discover Reason Code IC Chargeback?

Reason code IC sits under Discover’s services category and stands for “Illegible Sales Data.” It applies when an issuer requests a copy of the transaction record, and the document you provide cannot be read. The issue might affect the whole receipt or just the parts that matter to the case, such as the approval code, the transaction amount, the date, or the cardholder’s authorisation. If the issuer cannot confirm these details from the copy you sent, they may proceed with a chargeback and assign code IC.

This dispute type does not indicate that the transaction was fraudulent or that the customer is correct on the underlying claim. It simply means the record supplied cannot be used as evidence because it is not legible. That is why this code is often one of the most fixable. If you can provide a clean, readable copy of the correct sales data, you can usually fight the chargeback. In many cases, resubmitting a better scan or the original print resolves the dispute. Maintaining clear records for every transaction is the best starting point for reducing the risk of an IC case.

Primary Causes for a Code IC Chargeback

The core problem behind code IC is unreadable documentation. That can happen for several reasons. A common one is printing quality at the point of sale. Low ink or toner levels result in faint characters and missing lines. Thermal paper can also fade over time, especially if stored in hot or brightly lit conditions. If the receipt is placed near a window or in a hot stockroom, the text may fade out months later.

Damage is another cause. Creases, tears, stains, or spills can obscure key fields like the approval code or the total. Some businesses use coloured or textured paper that reduces contrast and makes text hard to read once scanned. Poor scanning practices are also frequent culprits. Files saved at a low resolution, small page size, or with heavy compression can turn clear prints into blurry images. Photos taken on a phone under low light can introduce glare and shadows over the parts the issuer needs to see.

Time Limit for Disputing a Discover Reason Code IC Chargeback

There is a strict time limit to respond to a chargeback filed under reason code IC. The acquirer or merchant has 30 days to submit a reply. That window starts from the date the chargeback is issued. If you miss the deadline, the dispute is likely to stand by default, even if you later find perfect documentation. Because the countdown is short, treat every retrieval request and chargeback notice as urgent.

Use the first few days to gather the best available copy of the sales data. If your initial file was unclear, go back to the source. Look for the original receipt, the POS system’s digital record, or a better scan. Confirm the transaction date, amount, authorisation code, and any cardholder verification that applies, such as a signature or PIN entry record. Check that every field is readable at normal zoom.

Submit your case through the Discover Network Dispute System or the method your acquirer specifies. Keep proof of submission, including timestamps and file lists. If your acquirer relays cases on your behalf, give them a complete package early so they have time to pass it on within the 30‑day period. Time management can be the difference between a reversal and a write‑off, so build a simple internal process for quick document retrieval.

What IC Means for Consumers & Issuers

If a cardholder raises a dispute and the merchant’s receipt cannot be read, the issuer cannot verify what happened or what was authorised. In that situation, the issuer may grant the chargeback because the record presented is unusable. 

For issuers, IC cases are administrative and evidence‑driven. The focus is on whether the sales data provided can support the merchant’s position. Issuers often start with a retrieval request and may ask for a better copy if the first submission is unclear. They look for legible approval codes, transaction amounts, dates, and any required cardholder verification. If those elements are readable, the issuer can assess the original complaint on its merits. Good documentation speeds up outcomes, reduces back‑and‑forth, and cuts the chance of a case being lost on a technical point.

What IC Means for Merchants

For merchants, reason code IC is a signal that document quality and storage need attention. Losing a case due to unreadable text is avoidable, yet it still happens when printers are not working properly, receipts fade, or scans are rushed. The result can be a refund to the cardholder, a fee, staff time spent on the case, and possibly higher risk ratings if such issues repeat.

The good news is that IC is one of the easiest codes to prevent and to fight. A simple quality check at printing, standard scan settings, and a clean digital archive go a long way. If you can quickly pull a readable record that shows the approval code, total, date, and any authorisation, you will remove the main reason this chargeback exists.

How to Respond to a Code IC Chargeback

The best way to respond or fight a code IC chargeback is to supply a legible, complete copy of the required sales data. Start by locating the original documentation. Look for the original receipt, the POS export, terminal logs, or a better stored scan. If your first submission was a photo or a low‑quality image, rescan the document at high resolution with proper contrast. Use a flatbed scanner if possible. Avoid shadows, glare, or clipping.

Check that the approval code, transaction date, amount, merchant name, and last four digits of the card are clear. If the receipt is double‑sided or has multiple pages, include all pages. If imprints are part of your process for card‑present transactions, include them. If the issuer’s message raises any other points, add supporting records such as delivery notes, signed work orders, or terminal batch reports. Submit your evidence through the Discover Network Dispute System or the channel your acquirer sets. Name files in a way that makes sense, for example, “Receipt_YYYYMMDD_Amount.pdf.” Keep a copy of everything you send and note the submission date. Stay within the 30‑day time limit. Do not alter data or edit images in a way that changes the content. The goal is simple: present a clean, readable record that matches the transaction and answers the issuer’s request.

Proactive Prevention: The Ultimate Defence

Preventing code IC comes down to clear printing, careful storage, and strong digital backups. Use good quality paper and replace ink or toner when prints get faint. Check each receipt at the till. If it is hard to read, reprint. Store paper records away from heat and light so they do not fade. Scan receipts at a readable size and resolution, and spot‑check them before filing. 

Keep digital copies in a backed‑up archive with simple names and dates so you can retrieve them fast during a retrieval request. You can also try out chargeback alerts to get early notifications of chargebacks, giving you as much time as possible to plan your response.