January 31, 2025

How to Stop Automatic Payments From Your Bank Account

You know that sinking feeling when you check your bank account and find a charge you weren’t expecting. Your balance is lower than you expected, which could mean you’re unable to make a purchase or — worse — the charge overdrafted your account. Maybe it’s a subscription you forgot about or a free trial that turned into an unexpected monthly payment.

Setting up automatic payments is meant to make life easier, but when they start piling up, they can quickly feel like a drain on your account. The good news is you can learn how to stop automatic payments to regain control of your finances.

What are automatic payments?

Any recurring payment you have pre-authorized, whether it’s deducted from your bank account or charged to your credit card, is considered an automatic payment. Once you give a merchant or service provider permission, they can pull funds from your debit card, credit card, or checking account on the agreed-upon date, usually for an agreed-upon amount. Think of subscription services, monthly bills, or memberships — anything that you pay for without entering information each time.

The main benefit of automatic payments is convenience since there’s no need to keep track of individual payments or worry about missing deadlines, simplifying your financial routine.

However, those recurring payments can add up over time, especially when they’re services you don’t use or forgot that you’re paying for, like a free trial becoming a monthly subscription you never intended to maintain.

4 ways to stop automatic payments

If you're tired of seeing unexpected charges from automatic payments, it’s time to take control and stop them. Here's how to cancel recurring payments.

1. Contact the billing company to revoke the authorization

The easiest way to cancel recurring payments is to go straight to the source: the company or service provider charging you. Reach out to the billing department and ask, “How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account?” Most businesses will happily walk you through the steps to cancel your subscription or revoke authorization for future payments. This step is often the fastest and easiest option, and it’s usually free of charge.

However, don’t just take their word for it — ask for written confirmation that the cancellation was processed. Keep in mind that even after you’ve canceled, your subscription may still be valid for a few days, depending on the billing cycle. Stay vigilant and double-check your next few statements to confirm that the charges have stopped.

2. Use online account management tools to cancel

Many companies provide easy-to-use online account management tools that let you cancel automatic payments with just a few clicks. If you’re trying to cancel recurring payments with a service or subscription, check if they have an online portal or app where you can manage your payment settings.

For example, if you’re trying to cancel a subscription service like Netflix or Spotify, logging into your account is usually the quickest way to make changes. Simply go to the billing or payments section, find the recurring payment option, and either cancel your subscription or turn off autopay.

Be sure to follow up with a confirmation email or message. If the cancellation isn't processed in time, companies may still charge you for the upcoming month.

3. Issuing a stop payment order with your bank

If you’ve tried canceling the recurring payment with the merchant and haven’t had any luck, or if you’re unable to access online cancellation tools, issue a stop payment order with your bank. This is a formal request to prevent a specific transaction — like a recurring payment — from going through.

To issue a stop payment, contact your bank directly and explain which transaction you want to block. Most banks allow you to stop payments on checks, debit transactions, and ACH payments, but this process typically incurs a fee of around $30, depending on your bank or credit union. Although this adds to your expenses, it can be worth it to avoid larger issues (like unexpected withdrawals) leading to a negative bank balance.

While this is an effective way to block future payments, it’s important to know that a stop payment only affects that specific payment. It won’t automatically cancel recurring payments or subscriptions. You’ll still need to contact the merchant to revoke authorization for future charges and ensure they cancel the service.

4. Regularly monitoring accounts for unauthorized transactions

Even after taking steps to cancel recurring payments, it’s important to regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Mistakes can happen, or a merchant may continue charging you by accident. Tracking your accounts will help you catch any unwanted charges early.

Most banks and credit card companies offer features like transaction alerts, which notify you whenever a charge is made. If you notice an unexpected charge, act quickly: contact the merchant or service provider to resolve the issue, or reach out to your bank to dispute the charge.

Potential issues and solutions

Stopping automatic payments can provide much-needed control over your finances, but you may encounter a few potential challenges. Here are some common hurdles and solutions to help you navigate them.

Company requirements for written confirmation of revocation

Some companies require you to submit a formal written request when you want to cancel recurring payments or stop automatic payments. This can be a hassle, especially if the company is unresponsive or slow to process the request.

Call customer service to ask about their cancellation process and any necessary paperwork. If they require written confirmation, make sure you send one quickly so you have proof of your request.

Delays in processing stop payments

Even after issuing a stop payment order with your bank or service provider, it can take a few business days to process the request fully. During this time, automatic payments may still be deducted, which can lead to unintended consequences. For instance, if your account balance isn’t sufficient to cover the charge or you’ve exceeded your credit limit, it could result in overdraft fees or even push you further into debt.

Follow up with your bank and the service provider to confirm the request is being processed. Monitor your account closely to catch any unauthorized transactions. If a charge still goes through, act quickly to escalate the issue with your financial institution or the merchant.

Fees for stop-payment orders from certain banks

Most banks charge a fee to issue a stop-payment order. This fee can add up, especially if you're stopping multiple payments. Before issuing a stop payment order, check with your financial institution to understand the fee structure. In some cases, you can work with customer service to find an alternative solution.

Ongoing charges from free trials or forgotten subscriptions

Free trials that automatically convert into paid subscriptions can be one of the most frustrating hidden charges. Sometimes, the cancellation process is complicated or requires you to talk to an agent, delaying the cancellation.

Always set reminders to cancel free trials before the paid subscription kicks in. Use a tool like Rocket Money or track your subscriptions manually to stay on top of your billing cycle. If you miss a cancellation window, contact the company immediately to try to reverse the charge or request a refund.

Take charge of your finances with EarnIn

Tired of unexpected charges from automatic payments? EarnIn makes managing your money easier by helping you avoid surprises.¹ With Balance Shield alerts, you can help keep your account from slipping into the negative and avoid low-balance fees.² Plus, you can access your funds in minutes,³ giving you more control over your finances.

Don’t let automatic payments catch you off guard. Sign up for EarnIn today and let Balance Shield help you control your finances.

Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.

EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our bank partners on certain products other than Cash Out.

Balance Shield provides free alerts when your bank account balance drops below the threshold you set in your EarnIn account. You can also enable automatic transfers (up to $100/day -subject to your available earnings- with a limit of $750/pay period), if your bank account balance falls below your set threshold. You choose the speed of these automatic transfers. Standard speed is available at no cost and the transfer typically takes 1-2 business days. Lightning Speed is available for a fee [see LS Fee Table] and the transfer typically takes less than 30 minutes. You will also have the option to set a tip for automatic transfers. Tips are optional and can be $0; however, if you choose to set a tip, it will be applied to each automatic transfer. Whether you tip, how much, and how often you tip does not impact the quality and availability of services. You can cancel the alerts and/or transfers at any time in your EarnIn account settings. See the Cash Out User Agreement for more details. While Balance Shield can help you avoid overdrafts, it does not guarantee protection from third-party fees, and its effectiveness depends on your usage and bank activity.

Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed is not available in all states. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.