A "do not honour" response means your bank or payment processor has rejected a transaction at the request of the cardholder or account holder — usually you.
When a merchant or biller tries to process a payment from your debit card, credit card, or bank account, your financial institution can refuse it. A do not honour code is the formal reason they send back. It does not mean the merchant made a mistake or that your account is frozen. It means someone with authority over that account — typically you — has told the bank not to pay.
This rejection happens instantly. The merchant sees it in real time, the transaction does not go through, and no money leaves your account. The merchant may try again, but the result will be the same until the reason for the rejection is resolved.
Understanding why this happens and what to do about it matters because a do not honour response can stop a bill payment, delay a purchase, or trigger late fees if you were not expecting it.
Key Takeaways
- A do not honour code means your bank refused the payment because of a block or restriction on your account, not because of a problem with the merchant.
- The most common causes are a frozen account, a reported card as lost or stolen, insufficient funds, or a mismatch between the payment details and your account records.
- You can contact your bank directly to find out which block is in place and ask them to remove it so the payment can go through.
- If you did not request the block yourself, contact your bank immediately because it may indicate fraud or an error on their side.
- Merchants cannot override a do not honour response — only your bank can lift the restriction.
Why Your Bank Rejected the Payment
Your bank issues a do not honour code for several concrete reasons. The most common is that you or your bank flagged the card or account as compromised. If you reported your card lost or stolen, your bank will reject any charge to it until you confirm it is safe to use again. This is a protection, not a punishment.
A second reason is insufficient funds. If your account does not hold enough money to cover the transaction, the bank refuses it. This is different from an overdraft decline — do not honour specifically means the bank will not let the money leave, period.
A third reason is a mismatch in the payment details. If the name, address, or card number you provided does not match what your bank has on file, the bank may refuse the transaction as a fraud check. This happens often with online payments where a single typo can trigger a block.
A fourth reason is that your account itself is frozen or restricted. This can happen if your bank suspects fraud, if you have an outstanding debt to the bank, or if there is a legal hold on the account. It can also happen if your account has been inactive for a long time and the bank has closed it.
How to Find Out Which Block Is in Place
Call your bank's customer service number — the one on the back of your card or on your statement. Do not call a number from a search result or an email, because scammers sometimes send fake rejection notices with fake phone numbers.
Tell them you received a do not honour response when you tried to make a payment. They will pull up your account and tell you exactly why the transaction was blocked. Be ready to answer security questions to prove you own the account.
Write down the specific reason they give you. "Fraud block," "card reported lost," "insufficient funds," and "address mismatch" all require different next steps. If the reason does not make sense to you — for example, if you did not report your card lost — ask them to explain it and ask what evidence triggered the block.
If the block was placed in error, ask the bank to remove it immediately. Most blocks can be lifted in minutes once you confirm the transaction is legitimate. If the block was placed because of a real problem — like insufficient funds or an address mismatch — the bank will tell you what you need to fix.
Fixing an Address or Information Mismatch
If your bank blocked the payment because the details you provided did not match their records, you need to update your account information. Log into your online banking portal or call the bank and ask them to confirm your current address, phone number, and name exactly as it appears on your ID.
Then update any information that is wrong. If you moved and did not tell the bank, update your address. If you go by a nickname but your account is under your legal name, make sure you use the legal name when you make the payment. If your card number or expiration date is wrong, double-check it against the physical card.
Once the information is corrected, wait a few minutes for the change to process in the bank's system, then try the payment again. If the merchant allows you to retry immediately, do so. If not, you may need to wait until the next business day.
What to Do If You Did Not Request the Block
If your bank tells you the account is frozen or the card is flagged as lost or stolen, and you did not do that, contact the bank immediately. This can indicate fraud — someone may have reported your card stolen to prevent you from using it, or your bank may have frozen the account by mistake.
Ask the bank to explain what triggered the block and when it was placed. If it was placed because of a fraud report, ask who made the report. If it was placed by the bank's automated system, ask what transaction or activity caused the flag.
If you believe the block is in error, ask the bank to review it and remove it. If you believe someone else placed it fraudulently, ask the bank to file a fraud report and to reissue your card. This usually takes five to ten business days.
While you wait for the block to be lifted, ask your bank if you can use a different payment method — a different card, a bank transfer, or a check — to make the payment you need to make. This keeps you from falling behind on bills while the issue is resolved.
Telling the Merchant What Happened
Once you know why the payment was blocked, contact the merchant or biller and let them know. You do not have to give them your bank's internal details, but you should tell them the payment was rejected by your bank and that you are fixing it.
If the rejection was because of insufficient funds or a temporary freeze, tell them you are resolving it and will resubmit the payment within a specific number of days. If the rejection was because of a fraud block or card issue, tell them you are getting a new card or a new payment method and will send the payment as soon as you can.
Ask the merchant if they can hold off on late fees or collection action while you resolve the issue. Many merchants will wait a few days if you contact them proactively. If you do not contact them, they may assume you are avoiding payment and escalate the matter.
If the payment is for a bill — rent, utilities, a loan — contact the biller before the due date if possible. Explain the situation and ask for a grace period. Most billers will not report you late if you have contacted them and are actively fixing the problem.
Preventing Do Not Honour Rejections in the Future
Keep your bank informed of changes. If you move, change your phone number, or change your name, update your account immediately. If you are traveling and will be using your card in a different location, call your bank and let them know the dates and places. This prevents the bank from flagging your transactions as suspicious.
Double-check payment details before you submit them. A single typo in your address, card number, or name can trigger a mismatch block. Take two seconds to verify that what you typed matches your account records.
Monitor your account regularly. Check your bank's website or app at least weekly to see if there are any holds, blocks, or alerts. If you see something unusual, contact the bank right away instead of waiting until a payment fails.
If you have reported your card lost or stolen, follow up with the bank to confirm when it is safe to use again. Do not assume the block has been lifted automatically — call and ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a do not honour rejection hurt my credit score?
No. A rejected transaction does not appear on your credit report. However, if the rejected payment was for a bill and you do not pay it by the due date, the late payment will hurt your score. The rejection itself is not the problem — the unpaid bill is. Contact the biller and make the payment by another method to avoid a late mark.
Can a merchant force my bank to honour a payment I blocked?
No. Once your bank has refused a payment, the merchant cannot override that decision. Only your bank can lift the block. If a merchant tells you they can force the payment through, they are lying or trying to scam you. Hang up and call your bank instead.
How long does it take to fix a do not honour block?
Most blocks can be lifted in minutes if you call your bank and confirm the transaction is legitimate. Address mismatches and information updates may take a few minutes to process. Fraud blocks and card reissues can take five to ten business days. Ask your bank for a specific timeline when you call.
What if my bank will not tell me why the payment was rejected?
Push back. You have the right to know why your bank refused a transaction. If the first representative cannot tell you, ask to speak to a supervisor. If the bank still will not explain, file a complaint with your state's banking regulator or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Banks are required to disclose the reason for a rejection.
Can I dispute a do not honour rejection?
You can dispute it with your bank if you believe the block was placed in error or without your consent. Call the bank, explain why you think the block is wrong, and ask them to review it. If the bank placed the block correctly — for example, because you reported your card lost — there is nothing to dispute. You need to resolve the underlying issue instead.