Authorize.net repeating issues - Card not Accepted

Fresh Install v1.3.9h
No Modifications

Thank you all for this great forum, it has helped me with a lot of installation questions. I have a problem with checkout and have not been able to figure it out by search.

I have three websites all using Zen Cart and this issue happens on all three sites. I will randomly receive an email from a customer stating that they are not able to pay by credit card. The error they receive is:

Error: This transaction cannot be accepted. - Your credit card could not be authorized for this reason. Please correct the information and try again or contact us for further assistance.

The way I fix this issue is to edit the Authorize.net AIM by changing the API Login and Transaction Key in Admin/Modules/Payment. This fixes the problem for up to a week.

Any idea as to why I have to keep doing this? Thanks.

In your AIM module settings, turn on debug logging. Then the next time the problem happens, look at the transaction log from that transaction, and note the error message.
If something is getting broken in your authorize.net account such that it's requiring you to change and use a new Transaction Key from time to time, I suggest talking to Authorize.net about the cause of that problem.

Thank you, I will turn on debug logging and post again if/when it happens. Thanks.

Interesting. I just turned logging on. Am I correct to say that every time a failed credit card authorization happens, I will now be emailed? This would be a relief as I have wondered how many customers never report problems. Thanks.

No. Logging will occur with every transaction.

You might also want to check your settings with Authorize.net. I have a lot of security settings on my account to help prevent stolen cards/chargebacks. If their address doesn't (the address they put in their account on my site) match the credit card - it will decline their card. I tell customers to enter the extact address that is on their billing statement and that normally solves the problem. Then their card goes through. I also have security measures for international clients. There is a problem with some international customers trying to use their cards due to laws with their countries. I don't remember all of the details - but if you look on the Authorize.net site and google it - you can get more information and be able to explain to your customers what is going on - well as much as you can. Every once in a while I get a customer that still says - my card is ok but it won't go through. I tell them to contact their CC company to see why or choose the Paypal payment. I don't force payments through (I have had customers ask me to do so) - because I got burned once doing that. Decent size of an order and I got a chargeback! So, they stole items from me even though they seemed really sincere in their email. I am not saying all of our customers are theives - but you do have to protect yourself. So....check your Authorize.net account - it might be your settings that is not letting the charges go through.