How can I stop a preauthorized debit? (2024)

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If you authorized the bank to make the transfer to the merchant on your behalf, you need to revoke your authorization with the bank.

You will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the scheduled date of the transfer and inform it that you wish to stop payment. You can provide the notice orally, but the bank may require you to confirm the request in writing. If the bank requires written verification of an oral notice, it will provide the address where the confirmation should be sent. The oral request will not be effective after 14 days if the bank requests written confirmation and you do not provide the written notice. In addition, a written stop payment order often expires after six months. It can be renewed for another six months.

If you authorized the merchant to charge your account and you want to stop the merchant's ability to debit the account for future transactions, it is a good idea to

  • contact the merchant in writing and revoke your authorization to charge your account;
  • keep a copy of your notice revoking authorization to charge or obtain a cancellation number; and
  • notify the bank that the merchant no longer has authority to debit your account. Provide the bank with documentation of the written notice.

However, the law does not require you to notify the merchant for a stop payment order to be valid as long as you have notified the bank. If you have revoked authorization and the merchant continues to charge the account, you can dispute the transactions with the bank.

Last Reviewed:April 2021

Please note: The terms "bank" and "banks" used in these answers generally refer to national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches or agencies of foreign banking organizations that are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Find out if the OCC regulates your bank. Information provided on HelpWithMyBank.gov should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion of the OCC.

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How can I stop a preauthorized debit? (2024)

FAQs

How do I stop a preauthorized debit? ›

To cancel a pre-authorized debit agreement, you must notify the biller in writing. Make sure you keep a copy of this notice. Your agreement should have details on how to cancel a pre-authorized debit. Once you cancel the agreement, check your account records to confirm that the pre-authorized debits stop.

How do I revoke a direct debit authorization? ›

If you authorized the bank to make the transfer to the merchant on your behalf, you need to revoke your authorization with the bank. You will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the scheduled date of the transfer and inform it that you wish to stop payment.

Can you block a company from charging your debit card? ›

You have the right to stop a company from taking automatic payments from your account, even if you previously allowed them. For example, you might decide to cancel a membership or monthly service, or you might want to switch to a different payment method.

How do you revoke a payment authorization? ›

Tell the company that you are taking away your permission for the company to take automatic payments out of your bank account. This is called “revoking authorization.” If you decide to call, be sure to send the letter after you call and keep a copy for your records. See below for a sample letter.

Can a bank remove a pre authorization? ›

Yes. Cardholders can send a stop payment request to their bank to cancel a pre-authorized payment, though the request may take up to three days to be processed.

How long does a pre-authorization take to cancel itself? ›

Pre authorizations typically expire after five days if the merchant takes no further action. However, this period can vary depending on the Merchant Classification Code (MCC) assigned to the merchant's account.

Can I cancel a direct debit without telling the company? ›

However, if you do not inform the company receiving the funds of the cancellation, depending on the terms of service that you agreed to, you may be liable for a cancellation fee or to pay for the time elapsed between when you cancelled the Direct Debit and when the company closed your account or stopped making the ...

How do I stop automatic payments from my checking account? ›

You can contact your bank and place a stop payment order on the recurring transaction. Generally, a stop payment order is only good for six months. To stop payment, you will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the next payment is scheduled to be made. Notice may be made orally or in writing.

How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account online? ›

Sign in to your account online or through your bank's mobile app. Find a tab that may say "Bill Pay" or "Pay My Bills." Here you'll be able to edit or cancel any scheduled payments you have. Select the payment you want to modify and apply the changes.

Can you block a direct debit? ›

You can either get in touch with your bank or building society and tell them which one you want to stop, or you can cancel online or via your banking app. To make things simple, it's also worth telling the organisation you were paying that you've stopped the Direct Debit.

Will cancelling a debit card stop recurring payments? ›

If a recurring payment has already received authorization it will be processed and paid. However, if a recurring payment has not received authorization and is activated while your debit card is turned off, the recurring payment will be declined.

Does freezing your card stop pending transactions? ›

If the transaction has already been authorized it will still clear, regardless of if you freeze or lock your card.

Can authorization be Cancelled? ›

The revocation of authorization can occur at any time after it's initially granted. This means that the person who provided the authorization can choose to revoke it for any reason they see fit.

How do I block a charge on my debit card? ›

Stopping a card payment

You can tell the card issuer by phone, email or letter. Your card issuer has no right to insist that you ask the company taking the payment first. They have to stop the payments if you ask them to. If you ask to stop a payment, the card issuer should investigate each case on its own merit.

Can you void an authorization? ›

After you void an Authorization transaction, you cannot capture any funds associated with that transaction, and the funds are returned to the customer. Voiding an authorization cancels the entire open amount.

How do I stop automatic debits online? ›

After logging in, navigate to the section related to payments or billing, where you can typically locate the option for managing auto debit. Contact the company: You can reach out to your credit card provider or bank that's debiting your account via their customer services and request the termination of the auto debit.

What happens if you cancel a direct debit without the approval of the company? ›

The company does not need to approve your cancellation unless your direct debit is connected to a contract or outstanding balance. In this case, the company could take action against you if you do not pay.

How can I cancel a pending transaction on my debit card? ›

How do I stop a pending debit transaction? You can stop a pending debit card transaction by contacting the merchant and canceling the purchase. Or you can try contacting your bank if you don't recognize the transaction, you suspect fraud is involved, or the merchant is unresponsive.

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