Do Not Honour: What It Means and What You Should Do

Payment declines are common in everyday transactions, often causing confusion. Among various messages, “Do Not Honour” is a frequent and perplexing response. This decline code leaves individuals wondering why their payment was refused without a clear explanation. Understanding its meaning and the steps to take can help demystify this common payment hurdle.

Understanding “Do Not Honour”

“Do Not Honour” signifies a generic refusal from your card-issuing bank to authorize a transaction. This message is sent from your bank (the issuer of your credit or debit card) to the merchant’s bank, indicating the transaction cannot be approved. It is important to recognize that this response does not specify the exact reason for the decline.

The vagueness of “Do Not Honour” can be frustrating because it acts as a catch-all for various underlying issues. This decline typically points to a problem on the cardholder’s side with their bank or account, rather than an issue with the merchant’s payment processing system.

Common Reasons for the Decline

Several common factors can lead to a “Do Not Honour” message:

• Insufficient funds or exceeded credit limit: This is a frequent reason. For debit cards, the account lacks enough money to cover the purchase. For credit cards, the transaction would push the cardholder over their approved credit limit.
• Suspected fraud or security hold: Banks employ sophisticated fraud detection systems that analyze spending patterns and locations. If a transaction appears unusual or deviates significantly from typical behavior, the bank may flag it as suspicious and decline it as a protective measure to prevent potential financial loss.
• Incorrect card details: This is a common trigger. If the expiration date, card number, or Card Verification Value (CVV) is entered incorrectly, the bank will refuse the transaction. A mismatch in the Address Verification System (AVS) or CVV/CVC can also lead to a decline, as these are security measures designed to verify identity.
• Daily or transaction limits: Many credit and debit cards have daily spending limits or limits on the number of transactions allowed within a specific period. Attempting a purchase that exceeds these predefined limits will lead to a decline, even if sufficient funds or credit are available.
• Bank policies or system issues: Less commonly, the bank’s own internal policies or temporary system issues can cause a decline. A card may also be blocked or frozen if it has been reported lost or stolen, or if there are serious account issues such as delinquency.

Steps to Take After a Decline

When a transaction results in a “Do Not Honour” message, consumers can take these actions:

• Verify Card Details: Carefully check the card details entered, including the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Even a single mistyped digit can lead to a decline.
• Check Account Balance/Credit Limit: Promptly check your account balance or available credit limit. For debit cards, confirm sufficient funds to cover the transaction amount. For credit cards, ensure the purchase will not exceed your credit limit.
• Contact Your Bank: This is the most important step. Call your card-issuing bank directly; the customer service number is usually on the back of your card. Provide the representative with details of the attempted transaction, including the merchant’s name, amount, and time of decline. Your bank can provide the exact reason for the “Do Not Honour” code and help resolve any account issues.
• Try an Alternative Payment Method: If the issue needs immediate resolution, consider trying an alternative payment method, such as a different credit card, a debit card from another bank, or a mobile payment service. This can allow you to complete your purchase while you investigate the specific decline with your primary bank.
• Avoid Repeated Attempts: Re-attempting the transaction immediately multiple times without first checking with your bank should be avoided, as this could potentially trigger further fraud alerts on your account. Since “Do Not Honour” typically points to an issuer-side issue, contacting your bank is usually the more effective first step.