POS (Point of Sale) error messages can be confusing, but they are essential for maintaining transaction security and efficiency. These error messages are categorised into two types: user-centric and system-centric. This step-by-step guide will help you understand these errors and what they mean for users and merchants.

User-Centric Errors

These errors occur due to issues related to the user’s card or account. Often, customers are not debited for these error messages. 

1. Error 51 – Insufficient Funds

• Description: It indicates that the user needs more funds in their account to complete the transaction.
• Impact: There is no debit on the customer’s account.

2. Error 54 – Expired Card

•    Description: This occurs when a user tries to use an expired ATM card.
•    Solution: Users should check their card’s expiration date and renew it if necessary.

3. Error 04 – Pick Up Card

•    Description: This error appears when a card reported as lost or stolen is being used.
•    Action: The merchant should retain the card, and the customer should contact their bank for a replacement.

4. Error 05 – Do Not Honour

• Description: Error 05 can occur due to various reasons, such as network downtime or issues like linking your NIN to the account number.
• Solution: Verify account details and network status.

5. Error 34 – Suspected Fraud

•  Description: The error is linked to suspected fraudulent activity, often triggered by incorrect PIN entries.
•  Details: PINs can be online (verified by the bank) or offline (verified by the POS machine). Incorrect online PIN entries may lead to this error.

6. Error 55 – Incorrect PIN

•    Description: The user entered an incorrect PIN.
•    Impact:  Repeated incorrect entries can result in suspected fraud errors.

7. Error 38 – Allowed PIN Tries Exceeded

•  Description: The user has exceeded the maximum number of allowed PIN entry attempts (usually three).
•    Solution: Wait 24 hours before attempting to use the card again.

8. Error 41 & 43 – Merchant Should Retain Card

• Description: The customer has reported the card lost or stolen and should be retained by the merchant.

9. Error 65 – Activity Count Limit Exceeded

•    Description: The user has exceeded the number of allowed card uses daily.
•   Note: It does not relate to transaction limits but the number of times the card can be used.

10. Error 61 – Activity Amount Limit Exceeded

•    Description: The user has reached their daily transaction amount limit.

System-Centric Errors

These errors are typically generated by the processor or system and often result in the customer’s account being debited.

1. Error 91 – Issuer Unavailable or Switch Inoperative

• Description: This error indicates that the card issuer’s system is unavailable or that the transaction switch is malfunctioning.
• Impact: Customers might be debited.

Our Take

Note that these problems are not peculiar to a particular machine. The errors are industry-related, and any machine from different companies, such as Paycliq, Kashzoo, and others, can display these errors. Hence, understanding these errors can help users and merchants handle POS transactions more efficiently and resolve issues promptly.