Stop an auto draft by contacting the company taking the money, then your bank
To stop an automatic payment, you have two routes: contact the company or service that is charging you, or tell your bank to block the payment. The fastest way is usually to call or email the company directly and ask them to cancel the recurring charge. If the company ignores you or the payment keeps going through, your bank can block future drafts through a process called a stop payment order.
The company route works because most auto drafts run through authorization you gave them—a signed form, a checkbox you clicked, or a verbal agreement. Asking them to cancel that authorization is the cleanest solution and takes a few minutes. If the company is unresponsive or the charge is fraudulent, your bank becomes your second line of defense.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the company charging you first—call their customer service number or use the "manage subscriptions" or "billing" section of their website or app.
- Your bank can issue a stop payment order to block a specific draft, though this costs money (usually $25 to $35 per order) and only works once.
- If a company keeps charging you after you cancel, report it to your bank as unauthorized and request a refund within 60 days of the charge.
- For recurring charges you set up yourself, look for a "cancel subscription" or "manage payment methods" button in your account settings before calling.
- Keep records of cancellation requests—screenshots, confirmation numbers, or emails—in case you need to dispute the charge later.
How to cancel directly with the company
Start by finding where the charge is coming from. Look at your recent bank statements and identify the company name. Then go to their website or app and search for "manage subscriptions," "billing," "payment methods," or "account settings." Many companies let you cancel online in seconds—you may not need to call at all.
If you cannot find a cancel button online, call the company's customer service number. Have your account number and the last four digits of the card they are charging ready. Tell them you want to cancel the recurring charge. Ask them to confirm the cancellation in writing—either by email or by reading back a confirmation number. Take a screenshot of any confirmation email or write down the confirmation number and the date you called.
Some companies make cancellation hard on purpose. If you signed up online, you should be able to cancel online. If they refuse or claim they can only cancel by mail, that is a red flag. You can still move forward with your bank's stop payment order or dispute process.
Using your bank's stop payment order
If the company will not stop the charge, contact your bank directly. Call the number on the back of your debit card or log into your online banking. Ask for a stop payment order on the specific draft. You will need to provide the company name, the amount of the charge, and the date you want it stopped (or "all future payments").
Your bank will charge you a fee—typically $25 to $35—for each stop payment order. The order usually takes effect within one to three business days. It blocks that one specific payment, so if the company tries to charge you again next month, you will need to file another stop payment order (and pay another fee).
Stop payment orders are temporary fixes. They work once, then expire. If the company keeps trying to charge you after you have filed multiple orders, move to the dispute process instead—it is free and protects you longer.
Disputing unauthorized charges
If a company keeps charging you after you cancelled, or if you never authorized the charge in the first place, report it to your bank as unauthorized. Call the number on your card or use your online banking to file a dispute. Your bank will investigate and, if they find the charge was not authorized, refund your money.
You have up to 60 days from the date the charge appeared on your statement to file a dispute. The bank will ask you to describe what happened—for example, "I cancelled this subscription on [date] but they charged me again on [date]." Provide any proof you have: cancellation confirmation numbers, emails, screenshots of your account showing the subscription as cancelled.
During the dispute, the bank will temporarily credit the money back to your account while they investigate. The investigation usually takes 10 business days to two weeks. If the company cannot prove you authorized the charge, the credit becomes permanent and the charge is removed from your statement.
Preventing auto drafts before they start
When you sign up for a service that charges monthly or yearly, read the payment terms before you confirm. Look for language about "recurring charges," "automatic renewal," or "subscription." Some companies bury this information in small text or require you to uncheck a box to opt out of auto-pay.
If you are signing up for a free trial, check whether a payment method is required. Many free trials convert to paid subscriptions automatically on the last day unless you cancel before that date. Mark the cancellation date on your calendar or set a phone reminder a few days before the trial ends.
For services you use occasionally—streaming apps, gym memberships, software trials—consider using a virtual card number or a prepaid card instead of your main checking account. That way, if the company keeps charging after you cancel, the card declines and the charge fails. You can then dispute the failed attempt without worrying about overdraft fees.
What to do if your bank will not help
If your bank denies your dispute or refuses to file a stop payment order, you have other options. File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints against banks and can pressure them to reverse their decision.
You can also report the company to the CFPB, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov, or your state's attorney general. If many people complain about the same company's billing practices, these agencies may open an investigation.
If the amount is small, it may not be worth pursuing further. If it is large or the company has charged you repeatedly, consider consulting a consumer protection attorney. Many offer free initial consultations and can send a formal demand letter to the company, which often results in a refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my bank block an auto draft without charging me a fee?
Not through a stop payment order—those cost $25 to $35. However, if you report the charge as unauthorized through the dispute process, that is free. The bank will investigate and refund you if they find the charge was not authorized. Disputes take longer than stop payment orders but cost nothing.
What if I cancelled the subscription but the company charged me one more time?
File a dispute with your bank and provide your cancellation confirmation. One final charge after cancellation is common and usually refunded quickly. If it happens repeatedly, report the company to the CFPB or FTC—that pattern suggests they are ignoring cancellation requests on purpose.
How long does it take to get my money back after I dispute a charge?
Your bank will credit the money back temporarily within a few days while they investigate. The full investigation takes 10 business days to two weeks. If the company cannot prove you authorized the charge, the credit becomes permanent. If they can prove authorization, the charge goes back on your account.
Can I stop an auto draft if I do not remember signing up for it?
Yes. Contact the company and ask them to show you the authorization. If they cannot produce one, or if you genuinely did not authorize it, report it to your bank as unauthorized. That triggers a free dispute instead of a paid stop payment order.
What if the auto draft is from a scam company that no longer exists?
File a dispute with your bank immediately. Since the company is gone, they cannot respond to the investigation, and your bank will refund you. Also report the charge to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov so they can track the scam.