What is a merchant category code?¶

A merchant category code classifies the merchant's general business type. It does not identify the specific goods or services in one transaction.

Broad categories cover varied purchases¶

One supermarket category can cover groceries, alcohol, electronics or gift cards; a marketplace can process many sellers. Codes can be assigned through acquiring arrangements, miscoded or inherited from a processor.

Use the code to direct enquiries¶

Preserve code, descriptor, merchant ID, reference, time, amount and location. Ask issuer, processor or acquirer what it represented at the relevant time, then obtain merchant orders, receipts, invoices and delivery.

Patterns may prioritise investigation but cannot prove product or criminal purpose alone. Report the provider classification rather than asserting what was bought.