Stripe decline code
invalid_accountThe account associated with the card is not valid or has been closed.
Type
Recoverable
Frequency
Rareinvalid_account is returned when the card number is valid but the account behind it no longer exists, has been closed, or was never valid. This is a terminal state: retrying will never succeed.
Do not retry. Move directly to card update flow.
Explain that the card on file is no longer valid and ask for a new payment method. Avoid technical terms.
Permanent issue. The card cannot be charged. Customer must provide a new payment method.
The number is mathematically valid but does not correspond to an active account. Common causes: the account was closed, the card was never issued, or it is an attempted fraud number.
How Rebounce handles invalid_account
Rebounce classifies every failed payment by its Stripe decline code and applies the optimal recovery strategy automatically. For invalid_account, that means skipping retries and contacting the customer immediately. Multi-channel follow-up through email, SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app banners ensures the customer actually sees the message.
invalid_numberHard declineThe card number is not a valid card number according to the issuer.
expired_cardHard declineThe card has passed its expiration date. This is a hard decline: retrying will never succeed until the card is replaced.
new_account_information_availableHard declineThe issuer has newer card information available (new number, new expiration).