Your Bank Payment Was Declined ("Payment Failed")
If a bank payment suddenly gets a "payment failed" message, it means your bank declined it — and unfortunately we don't get a reason and can't approve it on our end. Here's what's actually happening, and the fastest way to get it sorted.
- "Payment failed" means your bank declined the payment. Our processor (Stripe) returns a generic decline, so we get no specific reason and can't override it.
- If it worked before and suddenly stopped, your bank most likely flagged the activity as suspicious.
- Stop retrying — repeated attempts can trigger more security blocks.
- Call your bank to clear it. Trying a different payment method also works.
What "payment failed" means
When you pay by bank, the payment runs through Stripe, our payment processor. If your bank declines it, Stripe returns what's called a generic decline — meaning the bank blocked the payment without telling us why.
Because of that, we can't see a specific reason, and there's nothing we can override or approve from our end. The payment simply won't go through while that decline is being returned.
If it was working and suddenly stopped
The most likely reason is that your bank or the banking network flagged the activity as suspicious — especially if there have been several separate transactions close together.
How to fix it
- Call your bank — this is the fastest fix. Ask them to check for any security blocks, ACH restrictions, pending debits, or holds. Let them know these are ACH payments through Stripe/Link that were working normally before.
- If your bank says they don't see a decline, that doesn't change what we're seeing — we get a decline the moment the payment is submitted. Ask them specifically to look into why an ACH payment authorization might be getting blocked.
- Try a different payment method if you have one available.
Common questions
Can't Thryft Ship just approve the payment?
No — the decline comes from your bank, through our payment processor. We don't get a reason and we have no way to override or force it through. Only your bank can clear it.
My bank says they don't see any decline. Now what?
Their frontline support sometimes can't see the attempted or blocked transaction the way they're looking for it. Let them know the merchant's payment processor is receiving a decline when the payment is submitted, and ask them to look into why the ACH authorization may be getting blocked.
Why does it matter that I tried several times?
Repeated attempts on the same declined payment can look unusual and trigger extra security protections. If you've tried a few times, hold off and clear it with your bank before trying again.
