You can cancel a check through Bank of America's website, mobile app, or by calling their customer service line, but timing and the check's status matter.
A stop payment is the formal way to cancel a check at Bank of America. The bank can prevent the check from clearing if you request it before the recipient deposits or cashes it. Once the check has been processed and the money has left your account, a stop payment cannot reverse it — you would need to pursue the matter with the recipient or through a dispute instead.
The speed of your request determines whether the stop payment works. If you catch the check before it enters the banking system, you have a real chance of stopping it. If the check has already been deposited at another bank, the stop payment may arrive too late. Bank of America processes stop payment requests when ready when you submit them online or by phone, but the actual prevention depends on whether the receiving bank has already cleared it.
Key Takeaways
- Stop payment requests cost $30 per check at Bank of America and take effect when ready when you submit them, though the check may already be in the system.
- You can request a stop payment online through your Bank of America account, through the mobile app, or by calling 1-800-432-1000 during business hours.
- The stop payment only works if the check has not yet been deposited and processed by the recipient's bank, so speed is critical.
- If the check has already cleared, you cannot reverse it through a stop payment and will need to contact the recipient or file a dispute with your bank.
Stopping a Check Online or Through the Mobile App
Log into your Bank of America account on their website or open the mobile app. Navigate to the account from which you wrote the check. Look for a menu option labeled "Stop Payment" or "Manage Checks" — the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app, but both platforms have this feature in the account management section.
Enter the check number, the approximate amount, and the date you wrote it. Bank of America will ask you to confirm the payee name if you have it. Once you submit the request, the stop payment is active when ready. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt showing the $30 fee, which Bank of America deducts from your account. Keep this confirmation number in case you need to reference the stop payment later.
Stopping a Check by Phone
Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Tell the representative you need to place a stop payment on a check. Have your account number, the check number, the amount, and the date you wrote the check ready before you call.
The representative will confirm the details and process the stop payment over the phone. The fee is still $30 and will be charged to your account. Ask the representative for a confirmation number and request that they email or mail you a written confirmation. This creates a paper trail if the check clears anyway and you need to dispute it later.
What Happens After You Request a Stop Payment
Bank of America flags your check in their system when ready. If the recipient tries to deposit or cash the check at a Bank of America branch or ATM, the transaction will be rejected. However, if the recipient has already deposited the check at another bank, that bank may have already processed it before Bank of America's stop payment flag reaches them.
The stop payment remains active for six months from the date you request it. If the check does not appear during that time, the stop payment expires and you do not get the $30 fee back. If the check does appear after the six months, Bank of America will not stop it — you would need to request a new stop payment or contact the recipient directly.
If the Check Has Already Cleared
If you discover the check has already been deposited and the money has left your account, a stop payment cannot reverse it. Your only options are to contact the recipient and ask them to return the money, or to file a dispute with Bank of America if you believe the check was fraudulent or unauthorized.
To file a dispute, call 1-800-432-1000 and explain that a check cleared your account without your permission or that you need to dispute the transaction. Bank of America will open an investigation, which typically takes 10 business days. If the bank determines the check was fraudulent, they will reverse the charge. If the check was legitimate but you straightforward changed your mind, the bank cannot force the recipient to return the money — that becomes a civil matter between you and the recipient.
Alternatives to Stopping Payment
If you have not yet given the check to the recipient, the simplest option is to destroy it and write a new one. This avoids the $30 stop payment fee entirely. Tear up the original check and write a replacement with a new check number.
If you wrote the check to a business or service provider and want to cancel the transaction, contact them directly and ask if they can void the check before depositing it. Many businesses will do this without charge if you reach them quickly. This is faster and cheaper than a stop payment and avoids the risk that the check will clear anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a stop payment to work?
Bank of America processes the stop payment when ready when you submit it, but whether it actually prevents the check from clearing depends on whether the recipient's bank has already processed it. If the check is still in transit or has just been deposited, the stop payment will likely work. If the check cleared hours or days ago, the stop payment cannot reverse it.
Can I get the $30 stop payment fee back?
No. Bank of America charges $30 per stop payment request and does not refund the fee even if the check never appears. The fee is charged when you submit the request, not when the check clears. If the check does not clear within six months, the stop payment expires and the fee is not returned.
What if I stop payment on a check but the recipient calls and says they never received it?
If the recipient claims they never got the check, they may be asking you to send payment another way. You are not obligated to do so unless you had a contract or agreement to pay them. If you do decide to pay them again, use a method that provides proof of delivery, such as a bank transfer with a reference note or a cashier's check.
Can I stop payment on a check I wrote months ago?
Only if the check has not cleared. If months have passed and the check has not appeared, it is likely lost or destroyed. You can still request a stop payment, but the $30 fee applies. After six months, the stop payment expires automatically. If the check appears after that, you would need to file a dispute or contact the recipient.
What if Bank of America's stop payment fails and the check clears anyway?
Call 1-800-432-1000 and explain that you requested a stop payment but the check cleared. Bank of America will investigate whether the stop payment was processed correctly. If the bank made an error, they may reverse the charge. If the stop payment was submitted too late or the check cleared before the request reached the recipient's bank, Bank of America is not liable, but you can still dispute the transaction if you believe it was unauthorized.