How to Cancel a Check at Bank of America

You can cancel a check through Bank of America's online banking, by phone, or in person at a branch, but timing matters—once a check clears, the bank cannot reverse it

A stop payment is the formal request to Bank of America to prevent a check from being cashed. The bank can only stop it if the check has not already cleared your account. If the check has already been processed and the money has left your account, cancellation is no longer possible—you would need to pursue the money through other means, such as asking the recipient to return it or filing a dispute.

The process takes a few minutes to set up, but the timing of when you request it matters far more than how you request it. A check written today might clear in one business day or ten, depending on where it is being deposited and which bank is receiving it. The sooner you request the stop payment, the better your chances of catching it before it clears.

Key Takeaways

Stop payment requests cost between $25 and $35 per check at Bank of America, and the fee is charged whether or not the stop payment succeeds.
You can request a stop payment online through your Bank of America account, by calling 1-800-432-1000, or by visiting a branch in person.
The bank needs the check number, the amount, the date written, and the name of the person or business the check was written to.
A stop payment order lasts 180 days; after that, you must request it again if the check still has not cleared.
If the check has already cleared your account, Bank of America cannot reverse the transaction—you will need to contact the recipient or pursue other recovery options.

How to request a stop payment online

Log into your Bank of America account and navigate to the Transfers section. Look for the option labeled "Stop Payment" or "Stop a Check." You will be asked to enter the check number, the amount, the date you wrote it, and the name of the payee (the person or business you wrote it to). Bank of America will confirm the $25 to $35 fee before you submit the request.

Once you submit the request online, it takes effect when ready in the system. However, this does not mean the check cannot clear—it means Bank of America has flagged it. If the check arrives at the receiving bank before the stop payment order reaches the clearing network, the check will still process. This is why timing is critical. The online method is fastest because there is no wait time on the phone, but the actual protection depends on how quickly the check moves through the banking system.

Requesting a stop payment by phone

Call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and tell the representative you need to place a stop payment on a check. Have the following information ready: the check number, the exact amount, the date you wrote it, and the payee name. The representative will confirm your identity, process the request, and charge the fee to your account when ready.

Phone requests are processed in real time, but they are not faster than online requests in terms of when the stop payment enters the banking system. The advantage of calling is that you can ask questions and confirm the details are correct before the fee is charged. If you are unsure of any detail—such as whether you wrote the check for $500 or $5,000—the representative can help you search your account history.

Stopping a check in person at a Bank of America branch

Walk into any Bank of America branch with your account information and ask to place a stop payment. Bring your debit card or account number, and have the check details ready. The teller will process the request on the spot and charge the fee to your account. This method is useful if you prefer to handle it face-to-face or if you have questions the teller can answer directly.

In-person requests are not faster than online or phone requests in terms of system processing, but they do create a paper trail if you need documentation later. If you are concerned about whether a check has already cleared, the teller can check your account history and tell you whether the check has posted.

What happens after you request a stop payment

Bank of America enters your stop payment order into its system and also sends it to the clearing network that processes checks. The order remains active for 180 days. If the check arrives at the receiving bank during those 180 days and the stop payment order has reached the clearing network in time, the check will be rejected and returned to the sender marked "stop payment."

If the check clears before the stop payment order reaches the clearing network, the money will have already left your account and Bank of America cannot reverse it. You will see the transaction posted to your account as a normal debit. In this case, you would need to contact the person or business who received the check and ask them to return it, or pursue other options such as a dispute or small claims action.

After 180 days, if the check still has not cleared, the stop payment order expires. If you still want to prevent the check from clearing, you must request a new stop payment order and pay the fee again.

The cost and what it covers

Bank of America charges between $25 and $35 per check for a stop payment request. This fee is charged to your account whether the stop payment succeeds or fails. If the check has already cleared, the fee is still charged—the bank does not refund it because the request was processed, even though it could not prevent the check from clearing.

Some Bank of America account types, such as certain premium checking accounts, may include a limited number of free stop payments per year. Check your account terms or call the bank to confirm whether your account includes this benefit.

What to do if the check already cleared

If you discover that the check has already posted to your account, the stop payment option is no longer available. The money has left your account and is now in the recipient's bank. Your options are to contact the recipient directly and ask them to return the funds, or to dispute the transaction with Bank of America if you believe it was unauthorized or fraudulent.

If you wrote the check intentionally but now regret it—such as paying for a service that was never delivered—you may be able to file a dispute, but Bank of America will likely ask you to resolve it with the recipient first. If the recipient refuses to return the money and you cannot reach an agreement, you would need to pursue the matter through small claims court or with the help of an attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a check to clear at Bank of America?

It depends on where the check is being deposited. A check deposited at another Bank of America branch may clear within one business day. A check deposited at a different bank may take two to five business days, or longer if it is deposited at a bank in a different region. The sooner you request the stop payment, the better your chances of catching it in time.

Can I cancel a check if I do not know the exact amount?

You can request a stop payment with an approximate amount, but Bank of America will ask for the exact amount if possible. If you are unsure, call the bank and ask a representative to search your account history or your checkbook register. Providing the exact amount reduces the risk of stopping the wrong check if you have written multiple checks around the same time.

What if the check was lost or stolen?

Request a stop payment when ready using the check number, amount, and date. If you do not know these details, contact Bank of America and explain that the check was lost or stolen. The bank may be able to help you locate the information or may treat it as a fraud case, which has different procedures than a standard stop payment.

Can I cancel a check I wrote to someone else without their permission?

Yes. You can request a stop payment on any check you wrote from your own account, regardless of who it was written to. However, if the check has already cleared and the recipient has received the funds, stopping the check does not recover the money—you would need to contact the recipient or pursue legal action to get it back.

Will Bank of America refund the stop payment fee if the check already cleared?

No. Bank of America charges the stop payment fee when you request it, and the fee is not refunded if the check has already cleared. The fee covers the cost of processing the request, not the outcome. If you want to avoid the fee in the future, monitor your account regularly to catch issues before checks are written.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.