How to Stop Payment on a Chase Check or ACH Transfer
What a stop payment does and when to use it
A stop payment is an instruction you give Chase to refuse a check or ACH transfer you have already written or sent. Chase will block the payment if it has not yet cleared your account. Once the money has left your account and reached the recipient's bank, a stop payment cannot bring it back — you would need to contact the recipient or pursue other recovery options instead.
Stop payments are most useful when you have written a check that was lost or stolen, or when you sent an ACH transfer by mistake — wrong amount, wrong recipient, or duplicate payment. They are also used when you have cancelled a service or contract and want to prevent an automatic payment from going through before the cancellation takes effect.
Chase charges a fee for stop payments, which varies depending on your account type and whether you place the order online, by phone, or in person. The fee is typically between $25 and $35 per stop payment request. Some premium checking accounts waive stop payment fees, so check your account terms.
Key Takeaways
- A stop payment only works if the check or ACH transfer has not yet cleared; once the money reaches the recipient's bank, Chase cannot retrieve it.
- You can place a stop payment order online through Chase's website, by phone at the number on your debit card, or in person at a Chase branch.
- Stop payments cost between $25 and $35 per request, though some premium accounts waive the fee.
- You must provide the check number, amount, and payee name for checks, or the recipient's name and account details for ACH transfers.
- A stop payment order is typically valid for six months; if the payment still has not cleared after that time, you can request a renewal.
How to place a stop payment order with Chase
The fastest way to stop a payment is through Chase's online banking portal. Log into your account, go to the Transfers section, and look for the Stop Payment option. You will need to enter the check number or ACH transfer details, the amount, the payee name, and the date you issued the payment. Chase will confirm the order immediately and charge the fee to your account.
If you cannot use online banking, call the number on the back of your debit card and speak to a representative. Have your check or transfer details ready. Phone orders are processed the same day during business hours, though the fee still applies. You can also visit a Chase branch in person and request a stop payment at the teller window.
For checks, provide the check number, the exact amount, the payee name, and the date you wrote it. For ACH transfers, provide the recipient's name, their account number or routing number if you have it, the amount, and the date you sent the transfer. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for Chase to locate and block the payment.
What happens after you request a stop payment
Chase will place a hold on the payment immediately after you submit your request. If the check or ACH transfer has not yet been presented to Chase for payment, the stop payment will take effect and the money will remain in your account. If the payment has already cleared, Chase cannot reverse it, and you will see the charge on your statement.
A stop payment order remains in effect for six months. If the check or transfer still has not cleared after six months, you can request a renewal to extend the hold for another six months. After six months, if the payment has not been cashed or processed, it is unlikely to clear at all — most checks expire after six months, and ACH transfers are processed within a few business days.
Chase will send you a confirmation of the stop payment order, either by email or mail depending on your account settings. Keep this confirmation for your records in case you need to dispute a charge later or prove that you requested the stop payment.
Stop payments for checks versus ACH transfers
Checks and ACH transfers move through different banking systems, which affects how quickly a stop payment takes effect. A check stop payment works by flagging your account so that when the check arrives at Chase for payment, it will be rejected. This can take days or weeks depending on how long the check sits in the recipient's mail or their bank's processing queue.
An ACH transfer stop payment is more time-sensitive. ACH transfers typically clear within one to three business days. If you request a stop payment after the transfer has already been sent to the ACH network, Chase may not be able to block it. For this reason, call Chase immediately if you realize you have sent an ACH transfer by mistake — waiting even a few hours can mean the difference between a successful stop and a completed transfer.
If a check or ACH transfer clears despite your stop payment request, contact Chase right away. Explain that you requested a stop payment and provide your confirmation number. Chase will investigate whether the stop payment was placed in time and may reverse the charge if the bank made an error.
Alternatives if a stop payment will not work
If the payment has already cleared your account, a stop payment cannot retrieve it. Your options depend on what happened. If you sent money to the wrong person by ACH, contact that person and ask them to return it. Many people will do so if you explain the mistake. If they refuse, you can file a dispute with Chase, though recovery is not certain.
If a check was cashed by someone other than the intended payee — for example, it was stolen and forged — report it to Chase as fraud. Chase will investigate and may reverse the charge. Bring the cancelled check (if you have it) and any evidence that the signature was forged.
If you sent money to a scammer or fraudulent business, report the transaction to Chase and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Chase may be able to recover the money if it is still in the recipient's account, but this depends on how quickly you report it and whether the recipient's bank cooperates.
Preventing the need for a stop payment
The best way to avoid stop payment fees is to catch mistakes before you send the payment. For checks, double-check the amount, payee name, and date before you mail it. For ACH transfers, verify the recipient's account number and routing number — a single digit wrong can send money to the wrong account. Many banks now require you to confirm the recipient's name before processing an ACH transfer, which adds a layer of protection.
If you are setting up automatic payments with Chase, review the payment schedule and amount before the first payment goes through. Many automatic payment services allow you to pause or cancel future payments without a fee — this is faster and cheaper than requesting a stop payment after the fact.
For recurring bills, set up payment reminders so you know when a payment is scheduled to go out. This gives you time to cancel or modify the payment if your circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop a payment that already cleared my account?
No. Once the money has left Chase and reached the recipient's bank, a stop payment cannot retrieve it. You would need to contact the recipient and ask them to return the money, or file a dispute with Chase if the payment was fraudulent or sent by mistake.
How long does a stop payment take to go into effect?
For checks, a stop payment takes effect immediately when you request it, but it only works if the check has not yet been presented to Chase for payment. For ACH transfers, a stop payment must be requested before the transfer enters the ACH network, which is usually within a few hours of when you send it. Call Chase right away if you need to stop an ACH transfer.
What if the stop payment fails and the check clears anyway?
Contact Chase immediately with your stop payment confirmation number. Explain that you requested a stop payment and the check cleared anyway. Chase will investigate whether the stop payment was placed in time. If the bank made an error, they may reverse the charge.
Do I have to pay the stop payment fee?
Most Chase accounts charge $25 to $35 per stop payment. Some premium checking accounts, such as Chase Sapphire or certain business accounts, waive stop payment fees. Check your account terms or call Chase to find out whether your account qualifies for a waiver.
Can I stop a payment on a credit card?
Stop payments apply to checks and ACH transfers from your checking account, not to credit card charges. If you need to dispute a credit card charge, contact Chase's credit card dispute team or file a chargeback through your credit card account.