You can stop payment on a check by calling Bank of America or using their online banking portal, but you must act before the check clears and pay a fee
A stop payment order tells your bank to refuse the check when it arrives for payment. Bank of America processes stop payment requests by phone, through their website, or in person at a branch. The order costs money — typically $30 to $35 per check — and only works if the check has not already cleared. Once the funds leave your account, a stop payment order cannot bring them back.
The window to stop a check is narrow. You have until the moment the check clears, which can happen within one to three business days of the recipient depositing it. If you wait too long, the bank cannot reverse the transaction, and you will need to pursue recovery through other means — such as asking the recipient to return the funds or filing a dispute if fraud is involved.
Key Takeaways
- Call Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000 or use their online banking portal to request a stop payment within one to three business days of writing the check.
- Bank of America charges a fee of approximately $30 to $35 per stop payment order, and the fee applies whether or not the stop is successful.
- A stop payment order only works if the check has not yet cleared; once the bank has paid the check, you cannot reverse it through a stop payment.
- You will need the check number, the amount, the date written, and the payee name to complete a stop payment request.
- If the check has already cleared, contact the recipient directly to request a refund, or file a dispute with your bank if the check was fraudulent or unauthorized.
How to request a stop payment by phone
Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number, the check number, the check amount, the date you wrote it, and the payee name ready before you call. The representative will confirm these details and process the stop payment order over the phone.
The bank will ask you why you want to stop the check. Common reasons include lost or stolen checks, unauthorized use, or sending the check to the wrong person. Your answer does not affect whether the stop is processed, but the bank records it for their files. After you hang up, Bank of America will send you a written confirmation by mail or email, depending on your account settings.
Phone requests are fastest if you are calling during business hours. Bank of America's customer service operates seven days a week, though wait times vary. If you are calling outside normal hours, you can still leave a message, but the stop payment will not be processed until the next business day.
How to request a stop payment online
Log into your Bank of America online banking account and navigate to the "Transfers" or "Payments" section. Look for an option labeled "Stop Payment" or "Stop Check Payment." Enter the check number, amount, date, and payee name into the form. Bank of America will display the $30 to $35 fee and ask you to confirm before submitting.
Online stop payment requests are processed immediately, but the order does not take effect until the next business day. If the check has already cleared by then, the stop payment will fail, and you will still be charged the fee. Bank of America will notify you by email or through your online account whether the stop was successful.
The online method works best if you discover the need to stop a check during evening or weekend hours, when phone lines may have long waits. However, if the check is clearing imminently, calling is faster because a representative can confirm the stop in real time.
What information you need to provide
Bank of America requires specific details to process a stop payment order. You must provide the check number (found in the bottom left corner of the check), the exact amount written on the check, the date you wrote it, and the name of the person or business the check was made out to. If any of these details are wrong, the bank may not be able to locate the check when it arrives.
If you do not have the check in front of you, you may still be able to stop payment if you remember these details accurately. However, if you are uncertain about any of them — especially the check number or amount — tell the bank representative. They can search your account history for recent checks and help you identify the right one.
When a stop payment order fails
A stop payment order fails if the check has already cleared before the order takes effect. Bank of America processes checks in batches, typically overnight, so a check can clear within one to three business days of being deposited. Once the check clears, the funds are gone from your account, and a stop payment order cannot reverse the transaction.
If you discover the check has already cleared, you still have options. Contact the recipient directly and ask them to return the funds. If they refuse or if the check was fraudulent or written without your permission, you can file a dispute with Bank of America. The bank will investigate, but recovery is not may provide if the recipient has already spent the money.
You will still be charged the stop payment fee even if the order fails. Bank of America charges the fee when you request the stop, not only if it succeeds. This is standard practice across most banks.
Stop payment fees and how long they last
Bank of America's stop payment fee is typically $30 to $35 per check. The exact amount may vary depending on your account type — some premium accounts have lower fees or may include a limited number of free stop payments per year. Check your account agreement or call customer service to confirm the fee for your specific account.
A stop payment order remains in effect for six months from the date you request it. If the check has not been presented to the bank within that time, the order expires automatically. If you need the stop to remain in place longer, you can request a renewal before the six-month period ends. Renewal typically costs another fee.
If you write a replacement check to the same payee, use a different check number to avoid confusion. Some recipients may attempt to deposit the original check again if they believe it was lost, so keeping the stop payment active for the full six months provides extra protection.
What to do if the check was lost or stolen
If your check was lost or stolen, request a stop payment immediately. Provide Bank of America with all the details you remember about the check. The bank will flag it so that if someone tries to cash or deposit it, the payment will be refused.
After stopping the check, contact the intended recipient and explain what happened. Let them know you have stopped the original check and will send a replacement. This prevents confusion if they attempt to deposit the lost check and it is rejected.
If someone cashes a stolen check before you stop it, report the fraud to Bank of America. The bank can investigate and may be able to recover the funds, though this depends on the circumstances and how quickly you report it. Keep documentation of the theft — such as a police report — to support your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a stop payment to go into effect?
A stop payment order takes effect on the next business day if you request it online or by phone. If you request it in person at a branch, it may take effect immediately, but you should confirm with the representative. The order only works if the check has not already cleared by that time.
Can I stop payment on a check after it has cleared?
No. Once a check clears, the funds have left your account and a stop payment order cannot reverse it. You will need to contact the recipient and ask for a refund, or file a dispute with the bank if the check was fraudulent or unauthorized.
What if I stop payment but the check clears anyway?
This can happen if the check was deposited before your stop payment order took effect. Contact Bank of America immediately and explain that the check cleared despite the stop payment. The bank will investigate, but recovery depends on whether the recipient has already spent the funds.
Do I have to pay the stop payment fee if the order fails?
Yes. Bank of America charges the fee when you request the stop payment, regardless of whether the order succeeds. This is standard practice across most banks.
Can I stop payment on a check I wrote weeks ago?
Yes, as long as the check has not cleared. However, if weeks have passed, the check may have already been deposited and cleared. Call Bank of America to check whether the check has cleared before requesting a stop payment.