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Stopping Automatic Debit Payments – Sample Revocation Letter
to Your Bank or Credit Union
People use automatic payments set up with a merchant or other service provider to pay
bills and other recurring payments from their bank or credit union accounts. Federal law
provides certain protections for these kinds of automatic payments, including your right
to stop a company from taking automatic payments from your account, even if you
previously allowed them.
If you decide you want to stop automatic debit payments from your bank account:
1) Call and write the company. Tell the company that you are taking away your
permission for the company to take automatic payments out of your bank account.
This is called “revoking authorization.” If you decide to call, be sure to send the
letter after you call and keep a copy for your records. Click here for a sample letter.
2) Call and write your bank or credit union. Tell your bank that you have “revoked
authorization” for the company to take automatic payments from your account.
See below for a sample letter. Some banks and credit unions may offer you
an online form.
3) Even if you have not revoked your authorization with the company, you can stop
an automatic payment from being charged to your bank account by giving your
bank a “stop payment order.” This instructs your bank to stop allowing the
company to take payments from your account. Banks commonly charge a fee for
executing a stop payment order. Click here for a sample “stop payment order.”
4) Monitor your accounts. Tell your bank or credit union right away if you see a
payment that you did not allow (authorize). Federal law gives you the right to
dispute and get your money back for any unauthorized transfers from your account
as long as you alert your bank in time. Click here for a sample letter to report an
unauthorized transfer.
How to Use this Sample Letter
Use this letter to tell your bank or credit union that you have taken away your permission
for a company to take automatic payments from your bank account. Before you send this
letter, you should have already told the company that it does not have your permission to
take the payments by automatic debit (click here for a sample letter). In the brackets [ ],
put in your information and then check the option(s) that apply to your situation. Mail
the letter to your bank and make sure to keep a copy for your records. We recommend
that you call your bank and make the same request by phone.
TIP: It is also a good idea to attach a copy of your bank account statement or a screen
shot within your online banking portal highlighting a past transaction associated with the
autopayments to the company. This can help show the bank which authorization you have
revoked. However, this is not required.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[DATE]
[Bank/Credit Union Name]
[Bank/Credit Union Address]
RE: Revocation of authorization for electronic debits
To Whom It May Concern:
[Company name] no longer has my permission to take automatic debit payments from
my bank account. I have revoked the authorization that had enabled this company to debit
my account via electronic funds transfer.
My Name: _________________________
Checking Account Number: ___________________
Payee Company Name:______________________
Account number with Payee Company:________________________
(If you have the information, provide):
Payment amount or range of amounts: __________________
Date[s] the schedule payment[s] appeared on my account statement: _______
Specifically (select one):
_ I have revoked authorization as of ______ date for any future debits by [Company
name].
_ I have revoked authorization as of ______ date for the next scheduled debit by
[Company name]. I have not revoked authorization for other debits.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
____________________ ___________________
Signature Date
