Call Bank of America's stop payment line or use Online Banking to cancel a check
The fastest way to cancel a check at Bank of America is to call their stop payment department at 1-800-432-1000 and speak to a representative. You can also submit a stop payment request through Online Banking or the mobile app by logging in, finding the check details, and requesting the cancellation. Bank of America charges a fee for each stop payment request—currently $30 per check, though this varies by account type and may change.
The key is speed. Once you request a stop payment, Bank of America has a window to intercept the check before it clears. If the check has already been processed and the funds withdrawn from your account, a stop payment cannot reverse it. You need to act as soon as you realize the check should not be cashed.
If you are canceling because you sent the check to the wrong person, lost it, or want to use a different payment method instead, the process is the same: report it immediately and pay the fee. If the check was issued in error or you never intended to send it, document that reason when you make the request.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to stop payment on a check, or use Online Banking to submit the request yourself.
- Bank of America charges $30 per stop payment request, and the fee applies whether the check clears or not.
- You must provide the check number, amount, and the name of the person or business the check was written to.
- Stop payment requests are effective for six months; if the check does not appear by then, you can request a renewal.
- If the check has already cleared your account, a stop payment cannot recover the money—you will need to contact the recipient or pursue other recovery options.
What information you need before calling
Have your account number, the check number, the exact amount of the check, and the name of the payee (the person or business you wrote the check to) ready before you call or log in. Bank of America will ask for all of these details to locate the check in their system and process the stop payment.
If you do not have the check number, you can look it up in your check register or in Online Banking under your transaction history. The amount and payee name are equally important because Bank of America uses all three pieces of information to identify the specific check and prevent stopping the wrong one.
How long a stop payment lasts and what happens if the check reappears
A stop payment request at Bank of America remains in effect for six months from the date you submit it. If the check does not appear during that time, the stop payment expires and you will need to request a renewal if you want to extend the protection.
If the check does show up after six months and you no longer have an active stop payment, Bank of America will process it normally and deduct the funds from your account. For this reason, if you are unsure whether a check will resurface—for example, if you sent it to someone who may cash it months later—renew the stop payment before the six-month window closes.
Once a check clears and the funds have left your account, a stop payment cannot reverse the transaction. At that point, your only option is to contact the person or business who cashed it and ask them to return the money, or to pursue a civil claim if they refuse.
Stop payment through Online Banking versus calling
Both methods work, but they have different timelines. Calling 1-800-432-1000 puts the stop payment into effect immediately, and a representative can confirm it on the spot. Online Banking submissions are processed during business hours, so a request submitted after hours or on a weekend will not take effect until the next business day.
If the check is about to clear or you believe it may be cashed very soon, calling is the safer choice. If you have time and prefer to avoid a phone call, Online Banking is convenient and leaves a record of your request in your account history.
The $30 fee applies either way. Bank of America does not charge less for submitting online or more for calling—the cost is the same regardless of method.
What to do if the check was lost or stolen
If you lost the check or it was stolen, request a stop payment immediately using the same process. You do not need to file a police report first, though you can if you want a record of the theft.
After you stop payment, contact the payee (if you know them) and explain that the check was lost or stolen and that you will issue a replacement by a different method—such as a wire transfer, ACH transfer, or a new check. If the original check was written to a business, call them directly and let them know a stop payment is in place.
If the check was stolen and someone else tries to cash it, the stop payment will prevent the bank from honoring it. However, if the thief altered the check (changed the payee name or amount), the stop payment may not catch it. In that case, contact Bank of America's fraud department and report the altered check.
Stopping payment on a check you already mailed
If you mailed a check and then realized you made an error—wrong amount, wrong payee, or duplicate payment—request a stop payment as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the better your chances of intercepting it before it clears.
At the same time, try to contact the recipient directly. If they have not yet deposited the check, ask them to return it or destroy it. If they have already cashed it, explain the error and ask them to refund the money. Many recipients will cooperate, especially if the error was genuine.
If the recipient refuses to return the money and the check has cleared, you will need to pursue recovery through your bank's dispute process or through small claims court, depending on the amount and your relationship with the recipient.
When a stop payment does not work
A stop payment can fail if the check has already cleared before your request reaches Bank of America's processing system. Checks can clear within hours of being deposited, especially if they are deposited at an ATM or through mobile deposit. Once the funds have left your account, Bank of America cannot reverse the transaction through a stop payment.
Another reason a stop payment may not work is if the check was altered after you wrote it—for example, if someone changed the payee name or the amount. In that case, report it as fraud rather than requesting a stop payment, and Bank of America's fraud team can investigate.
If a stop payment fails and the check clears anyway, contact Bank of America immediately. Explain that you requested a stop payment and the check should not have been processed. Bank of America may reverse the transaction if they can confirm the stop payment was in place before the check cleared, though this is not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop payment on a check if I do not remember the exact amount?
You can try, but Bank of America will ask for the exact amount to locate the check. If you do not have it, check your check register or Online Banking transaction history. If you still cannot find it, call 1-800-432-1000 and explain the situation—a representative may be able to search by check number and payee name alone, though this takes longer.
What if the check was written to a business and I do not know their exact legal name?
Provide the name as it appears on the check. If you are unsure, call the business and ask for their legal name as it appears on their bank account. Bank of America uses the payee name to identify the check, so accuracy matters.
Do I have to pay the $30 fee even if the check never clears?
Yes. Bank of America charges $30 for the stop payment request itself, not for a successful outcome. The fee applies whether the check clears or not, and whether you cancel it before or after it is deposited.
Can I cancel a stop payment if I change my mind?
Yes, you can cancel a stop payment request by calling 1-800-432-1000 or through Online Banking. However, Bank of America does not refund the $30 fee you already paid. If you cancel the stop payment and the check then clears, you will have paid $30 to prevent nothing.
What if someone forged my signature on a check?
Report it as fraud, not as a stop payment request. Call 1-800-432-1000 and tell them the check was forged. Bank of America will investigate and may reverse the transaction without charging you a fee. Forged checks are handled differently than legitimate checks you want to cancel.