Declined Do Not Honor: What It Means and What to Do

When attempting a transaction, encountering a “declined do not honor” message can be confusing and frustrating. This decline code offers little immediate insight into why a payment did not go through. Understanding this generic message and its common reasons can help demystify the situation. This article clarifies what “declined do not honor” signifies and guides you through resolving such an issue.

What “Declined Do Not Honor” Means

The message “declined do not honor” indicates that the card-issuing bank has refused to authorize a transaction. Your bank sends this message to the merchant’s payment processor, signaling a refusal without providing a specific reason. It is the bank, rather than the merchant, that is declining the payment request.

This particular code is a general decline, meaning the bank is not approving the transaction for an unspecified reason. Unlike other decline codes that might point to an expired card or incorrect details, “do not honor” serves as a broad indicator of non-approval.

Common Reasons for a “Declined Do Not Honor” Message

One frequent cause for a “declined do not honor” message is insufficient funds within the cardholder’s account. If the purchase amount exceeds the available balance in a debit account or the remaining credit limit on a credit card, the bank will prevent the transaction. This measure protects both the consumer from overspending and the bank from unrecoverable debt.

Another significant reason involves the bank’s fraud detection systems. If a transaction appears unusual compared to typical spending patterns, such as a large purchase, an international transaction, or multiple rapid transactions, the bank might flag it as suspicious. This protective action aims to safeguard the cardholder from potential unauthorized use of their account. The bank might temporarily place a hold on the account to investigate, leading to this generic decline.

Sometimes, issues like an expired card or incorrectly entered card details can result in a “do not honor” message, particularly if the system cannot categorize the precise error. While these often trigger more specific decline codes, a general refusal can occur. Furthermore, exceeding daily or transaction limits set by the bank can also trigger this decline. Banks often impose these limits to manage risk and protect consumers.

If a card has been reported as lost or stolen, any attempt to use it will result in a decline, often manifesting as a “do not honor” message. This immediate action prevents fraudulent activity on the compromised card. Less commonly, temporary system outages or internal processing errors at the bank can also lead to this general decline, as the bank’s systems are unable to properly process the authorization request.

Steps to Take After a Decline

Upon receiving a “declined do not honor” message, first re-check the entered card details. Ensure the card number, expiration date, and security code are accurate, especially for online transactions.

Attempting the transaction again can sometimes resolve the issue. However, do so cautiously to avoid triggering fraud alerts. If the transaction remains declined, consider using an alternate payment method if available.

The most effective step is to contact your card-issuing bank directly. The customer service number is typically on the back of your card. Your bank can access the specific reason for the “do not honor” decline, which is not communicated to the merchant, and resolve any underlying issues. They can clarify if it was due to a fraud alert, an exceeded limit, or other account-specific matters.

Additionally, checking your online banking portal or mobile app can provide immediate insights into your account balance and recent transaction activity. This can confirm if insufficient funds or recent activity contributed to the decline. Bank representatives can guide you through resolving holds, adjusting limits, or confirming recent spending patterns.