What Is the Pickup Card Error
"Pickup Card" (response code 04) is one of the most alarming decline codes in card payments. Historically, it meant exactly this: the card should be physically seized (picked up) by the terminal because it has been flagged as blocked.
"Do Not Honor" (code 05) is a softer version of the same error class. The bank refuses to authorize the transaction without providing a specific technical reason.
Both codes signal that the problem is not a low balance or a limit — the issuing bank has made a deliberate decision to deny authorization.
Why This Code Appears
Card blocked by the bank. The most common cause. The bank may have blocked the card due to:
- Suspected fraud (unusual activity, atypical transaction pattern)
- A chargeback on a previous transaction
- Violation of card terms of use
- A court order or regulatory freeze
Card reported lost or stolen. If you (or someone else) reported the card as lost or stolen, all subsequent transactions will be declined with code 04. Your funds remain safe in the account.
Card expired. If the card's expiry date has passed — even slightly — the bank may return code 04 instead of the standard "expired card" response.
Sanctions or regulatory restrictions. In certain cases, code 04 comes from restrictions imposed not by the bank but by the regulator or payment network.
Technical failure. Less commonly, a system failure at the issuer temporarily causes all transactions to decline with code 04 or 05.
What to Do
1. Call your bank immediately. This is the only way to know the exact reason. Use the number on the back of the card or the official website. Do not use numbers from SMS or emails — that could be phishing.
2. Don't retry the transaction multiple times. Repeated attempts under code 04 can make things worse — the bank may interpret this as a sign of fraudulent activity.
3. Check the block in your banking app. Many banks show card status in their mobile app. You may also be able to unblock the card there.
4. If the card may have been stolen — report it. If you're unsure about your card's status, confirm to the bank that you are the legitimate owner and that recent transactions were yours.
5. Request a new card. If the block is resolvable (fraud suspicion without actual fraud), the bank will issue a new card with a different number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does code 04 always mean the card was stolen? No. A card can receive code 04 due to fraud suspicion (without an actual theft), a chargeback, or technical restrictions. Calling your bank will give you the exact answer.
Can I use a different card from the same bank? The block typically applies to a specific card product (card number), not to your entire account. Another card from the same bank should work.
What's the difference between code 05 "Do not honor" and code 04? Code 05 is a more general decline. The bank doesn't specify a reason. It may indicate fraud suspicion, a temporary technical block, or another internal reason. The action is the same: contact your bank.
Need a new card for international payments without unnecessary blocks? Marix — virtual cards for global services.