What Is an ARN Number (Acquirer Reference Number)?

An Acquirer Reference Number (ARN) is a unique identifier assigned to credit and debit card transactions. This distinct code becomes particularly important when tracking the journey of funds, especially in cases of refunds or chargebacks. It acts as a digital fingerprint for a transaction, enabling financial institutions to monitor its path through the complex payment processing ecosystem.

Understanding the Acquirer Reference Number

An Acquirer Reference Number, or ARN, is a unique 23-digit code assigned to individual payment card transactions. This numerical sequence serves as a comprehensive tracking number for a transaction as it moves through various financial entities. Its primary purpose is to provide a traceable record for the movement of funds from the merchant’s bank to the customer’s bank.

This unique identifier is generated by the acquiring bank, which is the financial institution that processes credit and debit card payments on behalf of a merchant. The ARN is created after the merchant’s bank initiates a refund or processes a chargeback. This usually occurs within a few hours to 1-3 business days after the refund or chargeback request is made.

The ARN then accompanies the transaction as it travels through the relevant card networks, such as Visa or Mastercard, before reaching the customer’s issuing bank. This detailed tracking capability is why the ARN is so valuable. It allows all parties involved, from the merchant to the customer, to pinpoint the transaction’s status within the payment system.

How to Obtain an Acquirer Reference Number

If you are a customer awaiting a refund and the funds have not appeared within the expected timeframe, obtaining the Acquirer Reference Number can be a helpful step. Your first action should be to contact the merchant from whom you made the original purchase. When reaching out, provide all relevant transaction details, including the date of the purchase, the exact amount, and the last four digits of the credit or debit card used.

Merchants typically have access to ARNs through their payment processing platforms or can request them from their acquiring bank. They should be able to provide you with this 23-digit code, which confirms that the refund has been initiated from their end.

Should the merchant be unable or unwilling to provide the ARN, your next step is to contact your own bank, known as the issuing bank. Provide them with the same comprehensive transaction details. Your issuing bank can then use this information to attempt to retrieve the ARN from the merchant’s acquiring bank, facilitating the tracing process.

Using Your Acquirer Reference Number

Once you have successfully obtained your Acquirer Reference Number, the next step is to provide it to your issuing bank. This is the bank that issued your credit or debit card and where you expect the refund to appear.

Your issuing bank will then utilize this unique 23-digit number to trace the refund through the card networks, such as Visa or Mastercard, and locate the funds. This process offers a clear and definitive path for banks to follow, especially when a refund is delayed or seems to be lost. The ARN serves as concrete evidence that the merchant’s bank initiated the refund, allowing your bank to investigate its current status efficiently.

Presenting the ARN to your bank can significantly expedite the resolution of a missing or delayed refund. It replaces generalized inquiries with a specific data point, providing the bank’s fraud or dispute department with the exact information needed to confirm the refund’s progress.