This article applies to merchants using Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR), CDRN, and Ethoca Alerts in Chargeback.io. It explains how long activation takes after setup is complete and when chargeback prevention alerts start after a billing descriptor becomes Active.
This article does not explain how to verify whether your account was set up correctly.
Expected Activation Timelines
If your account is set up correctly, then each billing descriptor is expected to move from Pending to Active within these timeframes:
Ethoca Alerts and CDRN: Within 12 hours
RDR: Within 7 business days
American Express + Discover additional coverage: 4 weeks
Active means the billing descriptor for that alert network is live.
If Verifi has an enrollment backlog, then RDR activation can take up to 14 days.
Enrollment timelines are controlled by the alert network, not by Chargeback.io.
Further reading:
Billing Descriptor is Still Pending After These Timeframes
If a billing descriptor is still Pending after the timeframe above, then contact Support.
Before you contact Support about RDR, check these conditions:
If your account was deactivated for not topping up during RDR enrollment, then the enrollment process resets.
If you are counting business days, then count Monday through Friday only. Don't count Saturday or Sunday.
If there was a banking holiday during enrollment, then RDR activation can take longer.
If the billing descriptor shows a status other than Pending, such as Verification Needed, then follow the action required for that status.
When Alerts Start
If a billing descriptor is Active, then you can receive chargeback prevention alerts for disputes filed after the activation date.
You will not receive chargeback prevention alerts for disputes filed before the activation date. Chargeback.io cannot confirm the exact moment a cardholder filed a dispute with the issuing bank.
If you're investigating a missing alert, then check the activation date first.
The transaction date by itself doesn't confirm whether the dispute was filed before or after activation. If the issuing bank participates in RDR, Ethoca Alerts, or CDRN, and the dispute was filed after activation, then the alert should be eligible to arrive.
Further reading:
💬 Still need help? Contact Chargeback.io support.