What is a Stop Payment?

A stop payment request allows you to prevent a check you’ve written or an automatic payment you’ve authorized from being processed against your account. This can be helpful if:

• A check has been lost or stolen
• You need to cancel a payment to a vendor or service provider
• There’s a dispute with a merchant
• You’ve written a check in error

Important: Stop payment requests may take time to process. Contact the bank immediately if you need urgent assistance.

How to Request a Stop Payment

You can submit a stop payment request through digital banking for eligible transactions.

Creating a Stop Payment Request

1. Navigate to Account Services
   Log into digital banking and find the Account Services menu.
2. Look for Stop Payment options
   The location may vary, but look for “Stop Payment” or “Payment Controls” in Account Services.
3. Provide the payment details
   You’ll need to enter information about the payment you want to stop:
   • Check number (for checks)
   • Payee name
   • Amount (exact or range)
   • Account the payment is drawn on
4. Review the fee
   Stop payment requests typically have a fee associated with them. Review the fee before submitting.
5. Submit the request
   Confirm all details and submit your stop payment request.

Information You’ll Need

To successfully place a stop payment, gather this information before you start:

For Checks:

• Check number
• Exact amount of the check
• Date written
• Payee name

For Automatic Payments:

• Payee/merchant name
• Approximate amount (or range)
• Payment frequency (if recurring)
• Account number or reference number

Stop Payment Duration

Stop payment requests are typically valid for a specific period:

• Standard duration: Usually 6 months
• Renewable: Most stop payments can be renewed if needed
• Expiration: The stop payment will expire after the designated period unless renewed

Tip: Set a reminder to renew the stop payment if you need it to remain active beyond the initial period.

What Happens After You Submit

Once you submit a stop payment request:

1. Immediate processing begins
   The bank begins monitoring for the specified payment.
2. Confirmation
   You’ll receive confirmation that the request was received.
3. Active monitoring
   The stop payment remains active for the specified duration.
4. If the payment attempts to clear
   The bank will return the check or decline the automatic payment.

Important Limitations

Stop Payments May Not Always Work

While stop payment requests are effective in most cases, there are some limitations:

• Timing: If the check has already been processed, the stop payment may not prevent it from clearing
• Electronic payments: Some electronic payments process very quickly
• Incorrect information: If the details you provide don’t match exactly, the stop payment may not work
• Multiple presentments: If a merchant presents a check multiple times, you may need multiple stop payments

Alternative Actions

In addition to placing a stop payment, you may need to:

• Contact the payee: Let them know you’ve stopped the payment and why
• Issue a replacement: If stopping a lost check, issue a replacement once the stop payment is in place
• Monitor your account: Watch for the payment attempt in your transaction history
• Follow up: Contact the bank if you see the payment clear despite the stop payment

Canceling a Stop Payment

If you no longer need a stop payment (for example, the issue was resolved), you can cancel it:

1. Contact the bank
   Call customer service at (866) 626-6004.
2. Provide stop payment details
   Have the confirmation number or details of the stop payment ready.
3. Confirm cancellation
   Verify that you want to remove the stop payment.

Fees and Costs

Stop payment requests typically involve a fee:

• Per-request fee: A fee is charged each time you place a stop payment
• Renewal fee: Additional fees may apply if you renew the stop payment
• Check your fee schedule: Refer to your account fee schedule for exact amounts

Tip: Weigh the cost of the stop payment fee against the amount of the check or payment to ensure it makes financial sense.

Best Practices

Act quickly: The sooner you place a stop payment, the better chance it has of being effective.

Keep records: Save all confirmation numbers and documentation related to your stop payment request.

Be specific: Provide as much accurate detail as possible when requesting a stop payment.

Follow up: Check your account to confirm the payment was successfully stopped.

Consider alternatives: For recurring payments, canceling the authorization with the merchant may be more effective than repeated stop payments.

Need Help?

If you need to place a stop payment immediately or have questions about a stop payment request, please contact us at (866) 626-6004.