What Does Do Not Honor Mean On A Debit Card

What Does “Do Not Honor” Mean on a Debit Card?

When you see the phrase “do not honor” on your debit card statement, it can be confusing and concerning. But what does it really mean? In this article, we’ll break down the meaning behind this term and provide some guidance on how to handle it.

Introduction

Do Not Honor is a designation used by banks and financial institutions to indicate that a debit card transaction has been declined or refused for any reason. This term is often seen on debit card statements, especially when there’s an issue with the transaction or the account holder’s available balance. Understanding what Do Not Honor means can help you navigate these situations more effectively.

Key Points

When a debit card transaction is marked as “Do Not Honor,” it usually means that: 1. The Transaction Amount Exceeded Available Balance If your available balance in your checking or savings account falls below the amount of the transaction, the bank will mark the transaction as Do Not Honor. This could be due to insufficient funds or overdraft protection limits. 2. Transaction Type is Not Allowed Some debit card transactions may not be allowed by bank policies, such as purchasing foreign currency, buying luxury items, or making large cash withdrawals. If you attempt a prohibited transaction, the bank will decline it and mark it as Do Not Honor. 3. Account Type Restrictions Apply

Certain types of accounts, like business or student accounts, might have restrictions on debit card transactions due to regulatory requirements or institution policies. In these cases, Do Not Honor may appear if you attempt a transaction that doesn’t meet the account’s requirements. 4. Card Expiration Date or Security Questions Failed

If your debit card has expired, security questions haven’t been answered correctly, or any other issue prevents successful verification of the transaction, it might be marked as Do Not Honor. 5. Pending Transactions

Sometimes, transactions may be pending due to issues like network connectivity problems or temporary system errors. In these cases, you may see a message stating that the transaction is pending; however, this does not mean it’s been declined. You can try again later if everything works properly. 6. Merchant or Issuing Bank Errors

Occasionally, an error from the merchant or the issuing bank can cause Do Not Honor transactions. This could be due to incorrect card information or a technical issue with the payment gateway. 7. Overdraft Fees

If your account has overdraft protection limits in place and you attempt a transaction that exceeds those limits, the bank will charge an overdraft fee. In some cases, this might also result in a Do Not Honor designation for the specific transaction.