Tired of that recurring payment draining your Bank of America account? You're not alone! Many of us set up autopay for convenience, only to find ourselves needing to adjust or halt it later. Whether it's a subscription you no longer use, a loan you've paid off, or simply a change in your financial strategy, stopping an autopay from Bank of America can be done with a few straightforward steps. Let's get this sorted out!
How to Stop Bank of America Autopay: A Step-by-Step Guide
Stopping an autopay from your Bank of America account can typically be done through their online banking portal, mobile app, or by contacting customer service. The method you choose might depend on the type of autopay and your comfort level with digital banking.
Step 1: Identify the Autopay You Want to Stop - Where Does the Money Go?
Before you do anything, take a moment to identify the specific autopay you wish to cancel. Is it a bill payment you set up through Bank of America's Bill Pay service, or is it a recurring charge initiated by a merchant (like a subscription service)? This distinction is crucial because the cancellation process differs slightly.
- Bank of America Bill Pay: These are payments you initiated directly through Bank of America's online banking or mobile app to pay a specific biller (e.g., your electricity bill, credit card, or rent).
- Merchant-Initiated Autopay (ACH Debit): These are payments where you gave a company or service (e.g., Netflix, gym membership, loan provider) permission to automatically pull funds from your Bank of America account.
Once you know what kind of autopay it is, you're ready to proceed.
Step 2: Access Your Bank of America Account
The easiest and most common way to manage your autopayments is through Bank of America's digital platforms.
Sub-heading 2.1: Logging in to Online Banking
- Open your web browser and go to the official Bank of America website (bankofamerica.com).
- Look for the "Sign In" button, usually located in the top right corner of the homepage.
- Enter your User ID and Passcode to log in to your Online Banking account. If you've forgotten your credentials, follow the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Passcode" links to recover them.
Sub-heading 2.2: Using the Mobile Banking App
- Open the Bank of America Mobile Banking App on your smartphone or tablet.
- Enter your User ID and Passcode, or use biometric authentication (fingerprint, face ID) if you have it enabled.
Step 3: Navigating to the Payments or Transfers Section
Once logged in, you'll need to find the section dedicated to managing payments and transfers.
Sub-heading 3.1: For Online Banking Users
- On the Accounts Overview page, look for a tab or menu option labeled "Pay & Transfer" or similar.
- Click on it, and then select "Pay Bills" or "Transfer | Zelle®" (depending on how the autopay was set up).
- From there, you'll typically find an option like "Payment Activity" or "Scheduled Payments." This is where you'll see a list of your upcoming and recurring payments.
Sub-heading 3.2: For Mobile App Users
- In the mobile app, look for a "Pay & Transfer" icon or menu option, usually at the bottom or top of the screen.
- Tap on it and then navigate to "Pay Bills" or "Transfers."
- You should then see options like "Scheduled Payments" or "Activity" where your autopays are listed.
Step 4: Canceling Bank of America Bill Pay Autopayments
If the autopay was set up through Bank of America's Bill Pay service, this is where you'll cancel it.
- In the "Payment Activity" or "Scheduled Payments" section, locate the recurring payment you wish to stop.
- Click or tap on the payment details.
- You should see an option to "Cancel" or "Delete" the payment.
- Confirm your decision when prompted. It's crucial to confirm to ensure the autopay is indeed stopped.
Important Note: Make sure to cancel the recurring payment and not just a single instance of it if you want to stop it permanently. Also, pay attention to the cutoff times. If a payment is scheduled to go out very soon, you might not be able to cancel it online and may need to call customer service immediately.
Step 5: Stopping Merchant-Initiated Autopay (ACH Debits)
For autopays initiated by a third-party merchant directly from your account (ACH debits), the process is slightly different and often requires action beyond just your bank's platform.
Sub-heading 5.1: Contact the Merchant First
- This is the most effective and often required first step. Reach out to the company or service directly that is initiating the autopay.
- Explain that you wish to cancel your recurring payments or automatic withdrawals.
- Ask them for their specific cancellation procedure and obtain confirmation of the cancellation in writing (email is usually sufficient). This provides you with a record.
Sub-heading 5.2: Notifying Bank of America (Optional but Recommended)
While contacting the merchant is primary, you can also inform Bank of America to add an extra layer of protection.
- You can place a "stop payment order" on the recurring transaction. This typically requires you to notify Bank of America at least three business days before the next payment is scheduled.
- You can do this by calling Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 for consumer accounts or 1-866-758-5972 for small business accounts.
- Be prepared to provide details such as the merchant's name, the amount of the payment, and the date it's usually debited.
- Please note that a stop payment order is often good for a limited time (e.g., six months), so cancelling with the merchant directly is the permanent solution.
Step 6: Verifying the Cancellation
After you've taken the necessary steps, it's absolutely essential to verify that the autopay has been stopped.
- Check your Bank of America account statements in the following billing cycles to ensure the payment is no longer being debited.
- Monitor your transaction history regularly for a few weeks to confirm no unexpected withdrawals occur.
- If you cancelled a Bill Pay, check the "Payment Activity" or "Scheduled Payments" section again to confirm it no longer appears as active.
Pro Tip: Set a reminder for yourself to check your account after the usual payment date to ensure the autopay didn't go through.
Step 7: What if You Can't Find or Cancel It Online?
Sometimes, an autopay might not be visible or cancellable through the standard online or mobile pathways. In such cases:
- Contact Bank of America Customer Service: This is your best bet if you're having trouble.
- For consumer accounts, call 1-800-432-1000.
- For small business accounts, call 1-866-758-5972.
- Have your account information ready, and clearly explain that you want to stop an autopay. They can guide you through the process or cancel it for you.
- Visit a Financial Center: If you prefer in-person assistance, you can visit your nearest Bank of America financial center. A representative can help you locate and cancel the autopay.
Stopping an autopay is a straightforward process, but taking the time to follow these steps carefully will ensure a smooth and successful cancellation, giving you greater control over your finances.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check active autopays in Bank of America?
You can check active autopays by logging into your Bank of America Online Banking, navigating to "Pay & Transfer," and then "Payment Activity" or "Scheduled Payments." In the mobile app, look for "Pay & Transfer" and then "Scheduled Payments" or "Activity."
How to cancel a scheduled payment in Bank of America?
Log in to Online Banking or the mobile app, go to "Pay & Transfer," then "Payment Activity" or "Scheduled Payments." Find the specific scheduled payment, click on its details, and select the "Cancel" or "Delete" option.
How to stop a recurring bill payment through Bank of America Bill Pay?
Access your Bank of America Online Banking or mobile app, go to the Bill Pay section, find the recurring payment in your "Scheduled Payments" or "Payment Activity," and choose the option to "Cancel" the recurring series.
How to prevent a specific merchant from automatically withdrawing money from my Bank of America account?
First, contact the merchant directly and instruct them to stop all future automatic withdrawals. Second, you can place a stop payment order with Bank of America by calling their customer service at least three business days before the next scheduled payment.
How to know the cutoff time for cancelling a Bank of America autopay?
Bank of America typically has cutoff times for payments. While these can vary, generally, payments scheduled for the current day may have a cutoff time in the late afternoon or evening (e.g., 5 PM ET or 8 PM ET). It's best to attempt cancellation as soon as possible, or call customer service for immediate assistance if it's close to the payment date.
How to get confirmation that my Bank of America autopay has been stopped?
After cancelling online or through the app, you will usually receive an on-screen confirmation. For merchant-initiated payments, request written confirmation from the merchant. Always check your Bank of America account statements and transaction history in the following days/weeks to verify the payment is no longer occurring.
How to stop autopay for a Bank of America credit card?
If you set up autopay through Bank of America's Bill Pay to pay your BofA credit card, you can cancel it via the Bill Pay section. If you set up autopay directly on your credit card account (not through Bill Pay), you'll need to go into your credit card account details within online banking or the app, look for payment settings, and disable autopay there.
How to reactivate a stopped autopay with Bank of America?
To reactivate a previously stopped autopay, you will typically need to set it up again as a new recurring payment within Bank of America's Bill Pay service or re-establish the automatic payment arrangement with the merchant directly.
How to handle an unauthorized autopay from my Bank of America account?
If you notice an unauthorized autopay, contact Bank of America immediately at their customer service number (1-800-432-1000). You may need to dispute the transaction and potentially file a fraud claim.
How to find customer service contact information for Bank of America autopay issues?
For consumer accounts, call 1-800-432-1000. For small business accounts, call 1-866-758-5972. You can also find contact information on their official website under the "Contact Us" section.
