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Once you have all the necessary information, you need to contact your bank, credit union, or savings and loan. You then need to request a cancellation. This can usually be done in by phone or in person in the branch. Make sure you have all the information handy. You don't have to be the person who signed the check, but your name needs to be on the account.  Save your time and theirs by preparing first. The average amount to cancel a check at the bank is $30 to $35. Check with your bank to find the exact amount you will have to pay. You shouldn't have a problem stopping payment. The bank is obligated to take the request regardless of the reason you give. They usually just want to know if they need to be on the lookout for fraud. If possible, placing a stop payment online can be easier, faster and cheaper than doing so in person. You can do this through your online banking website. Since your bank already has most of your information attached to your account, it is much easier than trying to do it in person. You should confirm the account number the check was drawn on. You then have to enter the check number, the amount it was written for, who it was written to, and the date written on the check.  This option may result in fees $5-$10 lower than in person. You can typically find this option from your online banking homepage. If you cannot find it, enter "Stop Payment” in the search box and follow the links to “Request Stop Payment.” Then you can enter the above information. You can stop payments on other types of activity on your account other than written checks. Holds can be placed on pre-authorized debits or electronic checks using the same procedures. You just need different information. You will need to know the company name, account number, amount of the transfer, and the Automated Clearing House Merchant ID. You can use the company ID instead. Both of these numbers can be found by looking at the last transaction you had with the company.  You will need to do this 3 business days before the payment is due. This allows time for the cancellation to be processed. A computer in responsible for taking care of this process. This means that the information needs to be complete and correct. There will not be a person there to figure out the missing information. It is important to ask your bank when the stop payment will take effect. This can be immediately, within 24 hours, or at the end of the next business day. It depends on your bank and the situation. You should also ask how long it stays in effect. Banks will generally get rid of stop payments from the system after 6 months. This can vary.  Make sure you know when the stop payment will be lifted. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises in case the check is cashed after this time has gone by. You may also want to place a new stop payment if needed after this time period. Now that the check is cancelled, you need find other way to arrange payment. Depending on the reason for canceling the check, you may want to make other arrangements with payee of the check. You will probably want to request that the check be returned to you in most cases. You know that stop payment will not remain in effect forever. Getting the check back will make it impossible for it to be cashed once the time period has ended. With this, you avoid having to place a new stop payment again in the future. That means you will not have the cost and hassle again.  If you need to keep the check for your records, you should void the check. Do this by writing VOID  in big letters across the check. You should also draw an X from corner to corner. This will make sure that the check can never be cashed. If you don’t need to keep the check, tear it up. You should not just throw it in the trash. It could be found by someone and cashed after the stop payment date has passed. There may be some legal ramifications if you stop payment of a check. Make sure you understand the liability of such an action before you go through the trouble of cancelling the check.
Take care of it in person. Handle the situation online. Take care of other transactions. Determine the timeline. Deal with the Payee.