How To Cancel a Check: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

If you sent a check and want to cancel it before it is processed or your check was lost or stolen, you can contact your bank or credit union and request a stop payment on that check. Don’t fret over this — canceling a check can be done in four easy steps.

Quick Steps To Cancel a Check

• Contact your bank.
• Provide check details.
• Confirm the request.
• Pay any applicable fees.

When Should You Cancel a Check?

There are a number of reasons why you might want to cancel a check, and some carry more urgency than others.

• If you’ve simply misplaced a check in your home, you might want to cancel it just for security purposes.
• If someone has stolen your checks or if you realize you have provided incorrect information on a check — such as paying it to the wrong person — you’ll want to cancel it with the bank immediately.

How To Cancel a Check: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to cancel a check in four simple steps:

• Step 1: Contact Your Bank
  • Call your bank or visit a physical branch and request a stop payment. Some banks, like Wells Fargo and Bank of America, Member FDIC, allow you to request a stop payment online.
• Step 2: Provide Check Details
  • When you want to stop payment on a check you’ve written, you must provide your financial institution with your account number, the number of your check(s), the date of the check and the dollar amount.
• Step 3: Confirm the Cancellation Request
  • Verify your request and complete any paperwork.
• Step 4: Pay Any Fees
  • The stop payment fee depends on your bank and the account type or tier. For instance, if you have a Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking® account, which is a higher-tier bank account, you will not have any stop-payment fees.
  • While some accounts may have the perks of fee-free stop payments, most accounts at banks do charge.

Stop Payment Fees at Major Banks

Consider this comparison of stop-payment fees at some national banks:

Can You Cancel a Check Online?

Many banks allow stop payment requests online or through mobile apps. Log into your online banking account and navigate to the “Stop Payment” section to start the process.

What Does It Mean To Cancel a Check?

Canceling a check is a way to ensure it is not paid after you write it. For example, if you send payment to someone with the wrong name or information on it, you might want to cancel it before someone cashes it. Once the bank is notified and formally cancels the check, it will prevent payment from going through.

Although somewhat similar, canceling a check is different than voiding a check.

• Canceling a check happens after it’s been written and possibly sent.
• Voiding a check is done before it’s used, typically to prevent future use.

How Long Does It Take To Cancel a Check?

Typically, a bank can cancel your check as soon as you notify it. However, each bank may have a different policy, so you should speak to your institution as soon as possible to understand its processing timeframe.

Banks are often closed on weekends and holidays, however, so you may not be able to cancel your check immediately during those time periods.

Can You Cancel a Check After It’s Been Cashed?

Unfortunately, if you try to cancel a check after it’s been cashed, you’re out of luck. Once the money is out of your account, there’s nothing the bank can do to prevent it from happening. 

Of course, in the case of fraud or theft, you may have a few consumer protection options. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you’re generally not responsible if someone steals and forges your checks, as long as you notify your bank in a timely fashion.

You may have additional protections in the case of electronic transfers. But it’s important to note that if you sign a blank check and someone else fills it in, you may not be able to get that money back.

How To Cancel a Check Written to the Wrong Person

Prevention is the best way to avoid having the wrong person cash one of your checks. Always take an extra second to review the details of the check before you issue it.

But if that ship has already sailed, then you have a few options.

• If you wrote the check to a person you know, but who you didn’t intend to pay, you may be able to clear up the issue.
• Consider making a phone call asking them to rip the check up.
• For other recipients, you’ll need to contact your bank and issue a formal stop payment, otherwise known as a check cancellation.

Tips for Preventing the Need To Cancel Checks

Canceling a check is usually the last resort — here’s how to avoid it altogether.

• Take a little extra time when you’re writing your checks.
• Ensure they’re going to the right recipients.
• Secure your remaining checks to reduce the risk of theft or misplacement. 

One surefire way to avoid making check errors is to only use digital payments for secure transactions. Although paying online carries its own set of risks, it does prevent the need to ever cancel a check.

What Happens After You Cancel a Check?

After you cancel a check, it becomes void and non-payable. If a recipient tries to cash the check, it will bounce, potentially causing them problems. 

Good To Know

Canceled checks typically remain in effect for just six months.

After this time, it may be cashable once again, although some financial institutions won’t accept a check that is six months old.

You’ll have to contact your financial institution to determine exactly what will happen after you stop payment on a check.

Alternatives To Canceling a Check

Looking to avoid the hassle of canceling a check? Here are some easier options:

• Use digital payments: By paying electronically, you won’t have to worry about forgeries or stolen checks. Just double-check the recipient before you hit “Send.”
• Void unused checks: If you’ve written a check to the wrong person but haven’t sent it yet, write “VOID” across the front to prevent it from being used.
• Stop using paper checks: If you’re done with your checkbook tied to an old account, void any remaining checks so they can’t be misused.

Conclusion

Knowing how to cancel a check quickly can help you avoid financial headaches and protect your account. It’s a good idea to learn and understand your bank’s policies just in case it ever happens to you. To prevent the whole issue, consider using online payments, securing your unused checks and being extra careful when writing them.

Cynthia Measom and Jared Nigro contributed to the reporting for this article.