Stop an automatic withdrawal by contacting your bank or the company taking the money
You have two ways to stop an automatic withdrawal. The fastest is usually to contact the company or service that is taking the money — they can cancel it on their end within a day or two. If that does not work, or if you do not know who is withdrawing the money, call your bank and ask them to block the withdrawal. Your bank can stop it when ready, though the company may try to collect again later.
The method you choose depends on whether you want to keep the service but stop the payments, or whether you want to end the relationship entirely. If you are keeping the service, go to the company first. If you are done with them, your bank can handle it faster.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the company taking the money first if you want to cancel just the automatic payment while keeping the service active.
- Your bank can block a withdrawal when ready by phone, but the company may attempt to charge you again if you do not also cancel with them.
- If you do not recognize the withdrawal, ask your bank to reverse it as unauthorized and request a new debit card.
- Stopping a payment does not cancel your contract with the company — you may still owe what you agreed to pay.
- Keep a record of when you cancelled, who you spoke to, and what confirmation number they gave you.
Cancelling directly with the company or service
Start here if you know which company is withdrawing the money and you want to stop the payments. Log into your account on their website or app, find the billing or subscription section, and look for an option to cancel the automatic payment or subscription. Most companies make this visible because they are required to by law.
If you cannot find it online, call the company's customer service number. Tell them you want to cancel the automatic withdrawal. They will ask for your account number or the phone number associated with your account. Ask them to confirm the cancellation in writing — either by email or by giving you a confirmation number you can write down. This protects you if they try to charge you again.
Cancelling with the company usually takes effect within one or two billing cycles. If the company charges you again after you have cancelled, contact them when ready and ask them to reverse the charge. If they refuse, your bank can help.
Asking your bank to block the withdrawal
Call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Tell them you want to stop an automatic withdrawal and give them the name of the company taking the money. Your bank can place a block on that company's access to your account right away.
Your bank may ask you to sign a form requesting what is called a stop payment order. This is a formal request to block a specific withdrawal. You can do this by phone for most banks, though some may ask you to come in or submit a form online. There is usually no fee, though a few banks charge a small amount.
A stop payment order typically lasts six months. If the company tries to withdraw money after that, you will need to renew the order. If you want a permanent block, ask your bank whether you can close the account or get a new debit card number so the old one no longer works.
What to do if you do not recognize the withdrawal
If you see a withdrawal you do not remember authorizing, call your bank when ready. Tell them the withdrawal looks unauthorized and ask them to reverse it. Your bank can put the money back into your account while they investigate, which usually takes a few days.
Your bank will ask you questions about the charge — when it started, how much it is, and whether you recognize the company name. Be honest if you do not know. Your bank may issue you a new debit card with a new number so the old card cannot be used again.
If your bank confirms the withdrawal was fraudulent, they will reverse it permanently and may file a report. If they find that you did authorize it at some point — even if you forgot — they may not reverse it, but they can still help you stop future withdrawals.
Understanding the difference between stopping payments and cancelling service
Stopping an automatic withdrawal does not end your contract with the company. If you signed up for a gym membership, a subscription service, or a loan, stopping the payment does not cancel the agreement. The company may still consider you in breach of contract and could pursue collection or damage your credit.
Before you stop a payment, check whether you have an active contract. If you do, contact the company and ask how to cancel the service itself, not just the payment method. Some companies require you to give notice or pay an early termination fee. Knowing this before you stop the payment saves you from a surprise collection call.
If you have a loan or credit card, stopping the payment will damage your credit score. Only stop payments on loans if you are working with your lender on a hardship plan or if you are disputing the charge.
Protecting yourself from future unauthorized withdrawals
After you stop a withdrawal, monitor your account for the next two billing cycles to make sure the company does not try to charge you again. Set a phone reminder or check your account online weekly. If you see another charge, contact your bank when ready — the second attempt strengthens your case if you need to dispute it.
Consider setting up account alerts with your bank. Most banks let you set a low-balance alert or a notification for any withdrawal over a certain amount. This way you will know when ready if something unexpected hits your account.
If a company repeatedly tries to charge you after you have cancelled, ask your bank whether you can revoke their access entirely. Some banks call this revoking ACH authorization — ACH is the system companies use to pull money from checking accounts. Once you revoke it, that company cannot withdraw money from you anymore, even if they try.
What happens if the company disputes your stop payment
If you stop a payment and the company claims you still owe the money, they may contact you by phone or mail. Do not ignore these notices. If you believe you do not owe the money, respond in writing within 30 days. Keep copies of everything — your cancellation confirmation, your bank's stop payment order, and any letters from the company.
If the company sues you or reports you to a collection agency, you can use your cancellation records as evidence. If the company is a subscription service or membership, your cancellation confirmation is proof you ended the relationship. If it is a loan or credit card, stopping the payment without cancelling the account will hurt your credit, so contact the lender first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a bank to stop an automatic withdrawal?
Your bank can block a withdrawal the same day you call, but if the company has already submitted the withdrawal for processing, it may still go through. Once blocked, future withdrawals from that company will not process. If a charge goes through after you have blocked it, call your bank and ask them to reverse it.
Can I stop a payment without telling the company?
Yes, your bank can block it without you contacting the company. However, the company may not know you cancelled and may try to collect the debt or report you to a collection agency. It is safer to cancel with the company directly so there is no confusion about whether you still owe them.
What if I stopped the payment but the company keeps charging me?
Call your bank and report the repeated charges as unauthorized. Your bank can investigate and may reverse multiple charges if the company ignored your stop payment order. Ask your bank to revoke the company's ACH authorization entirely so they cannot attempt to withdraw again.
Will stopping an automatic payment hurt my credit score?
Stopping a payment on a loan, credit card, or service you are contractually obligated to pay will hurt your credit if you do not pay another way. Stopping a payment on a subscription or membership you have cancelled should not affect your credit. If you are unsure whether you have a contract, contact the company before you stop the payment.
Do I need to go to my bank in person to stop a payment?
No. You can stop a payment by phone, online, or by mail. Call the number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Most banks process stop payment requests the same day you request them, whether you call or use their website.