You can stop an automatic withdrawal by contacting your bank, the company taking the money, or both
An automatic withdrawal — sometimes called an automatic payment or recurring charge — is money your bank removes from your account on a schedule you agreed to. To stop it, you have three routes: tell your bank to block it, tell the company to cancel it, or do both. The fastest way depends on whether the company is cooperating.
If the company still has permission to take money and you only tell your bank, the company may try again or send your account to a collection agency. If you only tell the company and they ignore you, your bank may still process the payment if the company has your account number. The safest approach is to stop it at both ends.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your bank in writing (not by phone) to revoke permission for a specific company to withdraw money, and keep a copy of that request.
- Contact the company directly and ask them to cancel the automatic payment, then confirm in writing that they have done so.
- If a company keeps withdrawing money after you have told them to stop, your bank can reverse those charges as unauthorized.
- Some banks let you block recurring payments through their app or website without calling, which creates an when ready record.
- If you closed the account the automatic withdrawal was tied to, the company cannot take money, but they may still try and damage your credit.
How to tell your bank to stop the withdrawal
Call your bank's customer service number or visit a branch in person and say you want to revoke authorization for a specific company to withdraw money. Have your account number ready and the name of the company exactly as it appears on your statement. Ask the bank representative to confirm the company name, the amount, and how often the withdrawal happens.
After you speak to someone, send a written request by mail or through your bank's find message system. Write the company name, the amount, how often it withdraws, and the date you want it stopped. Keep a copy. A written record protects you if the bank processes the payment anyway — you can show you gave clear instructions.
Many banks now let you block recurring payments through their mobile app or online banking portal. Look for a section called "Manage Payments," "Recurring Payments," or "Subscriptions." If you see the withdrawal listed there, you can often cancel it directly without calling. This creates an when ready timestamp showing when you stopped it.
How to tell the company to stop taking money
Find the company's customer service contact information on your bank statement, their website, or your account page with them. Call or email and say you want to cancel the automatic payment. Have your account number with them ready. Ask them to confirm the cancellation and tell you when it will take effect — sometimes there is a delay of one or two billing cycles.
After you speak to someone, send a follow-up email or letter restating that you have canceled the automatic payment and asking them to confirm in writing. Include the date you called, the name of the person you spoke to if they gave it, and what they told you. Save their response.
If the company has an online account portal, log in and look for a "Manage Payments," "Billing," or "Subscriptions" section. Many companies let you cancel there without calling. Take a screenshot showing the cancellation was processed.
What to do if the company keeps withdrawing money after you have told them to stop
Contact your bank when ready and report the withdrawal as unauthorized. Tell them you revoked permission for this company to take money. Your bank can reverse the charge — this is called a chargeback or dispute — and return the money to your account. The bank will contact the company and ask them to prove you authorized the charge. If the company cannot prove it, the bank keeps the money in your account.
Keep all written records: emails from the company, screenshots of your cancellation request, copies of your written request to the bank, and statements showing the unauthorized withdrawals. If the company disputes the chargeback, the bank will ask you for proof that you told them to stop.
If the company continues to attempt withdrawals after multiple reversals, ask your bank whether you can close the account and open a new one. This stops the company from accessing that account number. You will get a new debit card and account number, but the old account will no longer work for automatic payments.
Stopping withdrawals from a closed account
If you have already closed the account the automatic withdrawal was tied to, the company cannot take money from it. However, they may still try. When the withdrawal fails, the company may report it to a collection agency or damage your credit score by marking the account as delinquent.
Even though the account is closed, contact the company and tell them the account no longer exists and you have revoked authorization. Send this in writing. This creates a record that you notified them, which protects you if they report the debt or try to collect.
Stopping subscriptions and memberships
Subscriptions — streaming services, gym memberships, software, apps — work the same way as other automatic withdrawals, but the company often makes cancellation deliberately difficult. Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Membership" link in your account settings. If you cannot find it, search the company's website for "cancel" or "unsubscribe."
If the website does not have a cancellation option, email customer service with your account number and a clear request to cancel. Some companies require you to call. If they refuse to cancel or keep charging you after you have canceled, report the charge to your bank as unauthorized and follow the dispute process.
Do not rely on straightforward stopping payment or letting the subscription lapse. The company may continue to attempt charges and report you to a collection agency. Cancel actively and in writing.
Stopping automatic withdrawals for bills you still owe
If you have an automatic payment set up for a bill you still want to pay — a utility, loan, or credit card — but you want to change when or how much is withdrawn, contact the company and ask to modify the payment instead of canceling it. You can usually change the amount, the date, or switch to manual payments.
If you stop an automatic payment for a bill you owe, you are still responsible for paying it. The company may charge you a late fee, report the missed payment to credit bureaus, or send the account to collections. Stop the automatic withdrawal only if you plan to pay the bill another way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my bank stop an automatic withdrawal without me asking the company?
Yes. Your bank can block a company from withdrawing money even if the company still has your authorization. However, the company may keep trying, report you to a collection agency, or sue for the money. It is safer to cancel with the company too so they know to stop.
How long does it take for an automatic withdrawal to stop after I request it?
If you tell your bank, it usually stops within one to three business days. If you tell the company, it may take one or two billing cycles — sometimes up to 30 days. If you do both at the same time, the bank's block usually takes effect first.
What if I forgot the name of the company taking the money?
Look at your bank statement. The company name appears next to each withdrawal. If the name is abbreviated or unclear, search that name online or call your bank and ask them what company it is. Your bank can tell you the full name and contact information.
Can I stop an automatic withdrawal by just not paying it?
No. If you do not pay a bill you owe, the company can charge you a late fee, report it to credit bureaus, send it to a collection agency, or sue you. Stopping an automatic withdrawal means you are responsible for paying the bill another way or formally canceling the service.
What if the company says I cannot cancel because I signed a contract?
You still have the right to revoke authorization for automatic withdrawals at your bank, even if you have a contract. However, the company may pursue you for breach of contract or unpaid fees. If the contract has a cancellation clause, follow it. If you believe the company is illegally trapping you in a contract, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.