If you agree that someone can take a payment from your credit or debit card at a future date, known as a'continuous payment authority', you can cancel the payment before it is taken. This applies to:
one-off payments, for example to pay back a payday loan
regular payments, such as payments for a gym membership or magazine subscription.
The rules about cancelling future card payments do not apply to card purchases for goods or services, such as in a shop or paying a hotel bill.
This page tells you about when you can stop a card payment, how to stop card payments and what to do if the card provider doesn't put things right.
You'll still have to pay for the goods or service
If you stop payments which relate to another agreement, such as a loan or to pay for a club or gym membership or a magazine subscription, you’ll need to make another arrangement to pay the money you agreed.
Stopping a card payment
The law says you can withdraw your consent and stop a future payment under a continuous payment authority at any time up to the end of business on the day before the payment is due.
To withdraw consent, simply tell whoever issued your card (the bank, building society or credit card company) that you don’t want the payment to be made. You can tell the card issuer by phone, email or letter.
Your card issuer has no right to insist that you ask the company taking the payment first. They have to stop the payments if you ask them to.
If you ask to stop a payment, the card issuer should investigate each case on its own merit. They should not apply a blanket policy of refusing to refund payments taken when the client gave their account number out.
You should point out to the card issuer that they should follow the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance onunauthorised payments from your account.
Cancelling the payment by phone
If you phone, it's a good idea to follow up the call in writing so you have proof of your instruction to cancel. But the company should take your phone call as the instruction and stop the arrangement straight away, not wait for you to confirm in writing.
If the person you speak to says you can't stop the payments, ask to speak to someone more senior. If they still won't stop the payments, ask them to put a record of the call on your account so you can refer to it later if you need to. Make sure you keep a note of the date, time and who you spoke to as well, in case you need to make a complaint.
If the card provider won't stop the payments
If the card provider goes ahead and allows a payment to be taken when you ask them not to, you're entitled to your money back. They'll also have to cancel any interest and charges added to your account because they let the payment go through.
Getting your money back
If your bank, building society or credit card company doesn't refund your money for a payment they shouldn't have allowed, write and ask for your money back under the company's complaints procedure.
If you're still not satisfied, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
You can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service helpline on 0300 123 9 123 or visit the website at:www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
Get help with bills and budgeting
If you're trying to cut your spending, or are having problems with your outgoings, you couldget help with bills. You could alsouse a budgeting toolto see exactly where your money goes each month.
FAQs
You can tell the card issuer by phone, email or letter. Your card issuer has no right to insist that you ask the company taking the payment first. They have to stop the payments if you ask them to. If you ask to stop a payment, the card issuer should investigate each case on its own merit.
How do I block future charges on my debit card? ›
How can I stop a preauthorized debit from being paid from my checking account?
- contact the merchant in writing and revoke your authorization to charge your account;
- keep a copy of your notice revoking authorization to charge or obtain a cancellation number; and.
To stop payment, you need to notify your bank at least three business days before the transaction is scheduled to be made and your bank may charge a fee.
Can you block a company from charging your debit card? ›
You have the right to stop a company from taking automatic payments from your account, even if you previously allowed them. For example, you might decide to cancel a membership or monthly service, or you might want to switch to a different payment method.
Can you stop a payment from coming out? ›
You can contact your bank and place a stop payment order on the recurring transaction. Generally, a stop payment order is only good for six months. To stop payment, you will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the next payment is scheduled to be made. Notice may be made orally or in writing.
How do I block a future payment? ›
To withdraw consent, simply tell whoever issued your card (the bank, building society or credit card company) that you don't want the payment to be made. You can tell the card issuer by phone, email or letter. Your card issuer has no right to insist that you ask the company taking the payment first.
How do you stop future transactions? ›
In general, you should be able to withdraw your consent and stop a future payment at any time up to the day before the payment is due. Your card issuer must stop the payment when asked. If further payments are taken after you requested a cancellation, the bank must refund them.
How do I cancel a payment made on my debit card? ›
If you wish to cancel a debit card payment, you need to contact the merchant or service provider. If the payment was already processed, you need to dispute the payment with your bank or financial institution.
Can I block a direct debit payment? ›
You can either get in touch with your bank or building society and tell them which one you want to stop, or you can cancel online or via your banking app. To make things simple, it's also worth telling the organisation you were paying that you've stopped the Direct Debit.
Will locking my debit card stop a payment? ›
Locking will typically prevent new transactions but leave automatic payments, such as bills, bank fees, and subscriptions, enabled. It also won't stop transactions that you initiated before locking the card. After locking, you may still be able to pay with the card using a digital wallet.
You may need to take additional steps to cancel a subscription if you have reasons to believe the cancellation process will be difficult. In such cases, you can contact your card issuer to block further charges. One solution is to send letters revoking your authorization to the subscription company and your bank.
Can I block certain transactions on my debit card? ›
Debit Card Control is a FREE service which allows you to take control of your debit card transactions. Turn your card on or off, block certain types of transactions, block certain merchants, and even set spending limits. All controlled by you!
How do I stop a pre-authorized payment? ›
Contact the Merchant
To cancel an entire series of pre-authorized payments, you have to talk to the merchant. To cancel one payment from the series, you can talk to the merchant or submit a stop payment request online.
Can you stop payment on a debit transaction? ›
Your bank will generally allow you to stop payment on a check or automatic debit payment, assuming the check or payment haven't been processed. However, you may still owe the payee money, depending on the circ*mstances.
Can you put a stop payment on a pending payment? ›
A stop payment order is a request made by the payer to the bank on which the payment has been made. It can be done while the payment is still outstanding or hasn't been completely processed.
How do I stop a pending transaction? ›
Ask the merchant or retailer to reverse the charge, cancel the sale or release the hold for the confirmed amount. The sooner you can reach out to the merchant, the more likely the pending transaction can be canceled. If you suspect fraud, skip the merchant and call your bank or card issuer first.
How do I stop all future payments? ›
Issue a stop payment order
If you want to stop all future payments, your bank may ask for your request in writing. If this is the case, make sure to check with your bank on timing. Generally banks request a letter within about two weeks from your initial request.
How do I stop unwanted debit card charges? ›
Immediately notify the bank and identify by date and dollar amount the transactions that you did not authorize. The bank will review your claim and may ask you to complete an affidavit unauthorized use.
