You can stop payment on a check, but you need to act quickly and know what it will cost
A stop payment is an instruction you give your bank to refuse to cash a specific check if it comes in. Bank of America will do this, but the process has three hard limits: you must request it before the check clears, you will pay a fee (usually $30 to $35), and the stop only lasts a set time before it expires.
The fastest way is to call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and ask for a stop payment order. Have your account number, the check number, the amount, and the date you wrote it ready. You can also start the request online through your Bank of America account, but a phone call is more reliable because the representative can confirm the details when ready and tell you the exact fee.
Key Takeaways
- Stop payment requests must be made before the check clears your account, which usually happens within one to three business days of the recipient depositing it.
- Bank of America charges a fee for stop payment orders, typically $30 to $35 per check, whether or not the check is ever presented.
- A stop payment order lasts six months; after that, you will need to renew it if the check still has not cleared.
- If the check has already cleared, a stop payment will not work — you will need to contact the recipient or your bank about a reversal instead.
When you can still stop a check
The window to stop a check is narrow. Once the person you wrote it to deposits it into their bank, your bank has a short time to act before the check moves through the clearing system. Most checks clear within one to three business days, though some take longer depending on the banks involved.
If you are unsure whether the check has cleared, log into your Bank of America account online or call 1-800-432-1000 and ask. Look at your recent transactions — a cleared check will show as a debit with the recipient's name or business. If you see it there, a stop payment will not work because the money has already left your account.
How to request a stop payment online or by phone
By phone is the safest method. Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you want to place a stop payment order. Have ready: your account number, the check number, the exact amount, the date you wrote the check, and the name of the person or business you wrote it to. The representative will confirm the fee (usually $30 to $35) and process the order on the spot.
You can also start a stop payment request through your Bank of America online account. Log in, go to the Transfers section, and look for the stop payment option. However, online requests sometimes require follow-up by phone to confirm, so calling first saves a step. If you use online banking, you will still be charged the same fee.
What happens after you request a stop payment
Bank of America will place the stop on your account when ready. If the check comes in before the stop expires, the bank will refuse to pay it and return it to the recipient's bank marked "stop payment." The recipient will see the check bounce and may contact you asking why.
The stop payment order lasts for six months. If the check still has not come in by then, you can renew the stop for another six months by calling the bank again and paying another fee. Most checks that are going to be deposited arrive within the first month, so renewal is uncommon.
What to do if the check already cleared
If the check has already cleared your account, a stop payment will not reverse it. Instead, you have two options: contact the recipient and ask them to return the money, or contact Bank of America about filing a dispute if the check was fraudulent or unauthorized.
If you wrote the check yourself but now want the money back (for example, you sent it to the wrong person), your only recourse is to ask the recipient to deposit it back into your account or write you a refund check. Bank of America cannot force them to do so. If the check was forged or you did not authorize it, call the bank when ready at 1-800-432-1000 and explain the situation — they can investigate and may reverse the transaction.
Why the fee exists and when it might be worth it
Bank of America charges for stop payments because the bank has to monitor your account, track the check number, and handle the administrative work if the check arrives. The fee applies whether the check ever shows up or not — you are paying for the service of watching for it, not for a successful stop.
A $30 to $35 fee makes sense if the check amount is large or if you are certain the recipient will not cash it anyway. If the check is for $50 and you are not sure whether it will clear, the fee might cost more than the check itself. In that case, it is often cheaper to wait and see if it clears, then dispute it with the bank if it does.
Alternatives if you cannot stop the check
If the check has already cleared or you cannot reach the bank in time, contact the recipient directly. Explain the situation and ask them to return the check uncashed or to refund the money. Many people will cooperate if you reach them quickly, especially if the check was sent by mistake.
If the recipient refuses and the check was fraudulent or unauthorized, file a dispute with Bank of America. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask to report unauthorized activity. The bank will investigate and may reverse the transaction if they find it was not legitimate. This process takes longer than a stop payment — usually 10 business days or more — but it is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a stop payment to go into effect?
Bank of America processes stop payment orders when ready when you call or submit the request online. However, the stop only works if the check has not already cleared. Once the check enters the clearing system, it may be too late to stop it, even if you request it the same day.
Can I stop payment on a check I wrote weeks ago?
Yes, as long as the check has not cleared. Stop payments last six months, so you can request one on a check you wrote weeks or months ago if it still has not been deposited. However, if the check has already cleared, the stop will not work.
What if the recipient deposits the check after I request a stop payment?
The stop payment order will prevent the check from clearing. The recipient's bank will return it marked "stop payment," and the recipient will see the check bounce. They may contact you asking why you stopped it.
Do I have to pay the stop payment fee even if the check never arrives?
Yes. Bank of America charges the fee for placing the stop order, not for a successful outcome. You pay whether the check shows up or not.
Can I cancel a stop payment order if I change my mind?
Yes. Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to cancel the stop payment order. There is usually no fee to cancel, but confirm with the representative before they process it.