Sometimes a consumer purchases an item that turns out to be defective or not what was expected. In this case, if a check was written for the goods, the consumer might choose to stop the payment on the check. When this occurs, the consumer calls his bank and asks for the payment to be stopped on a particular check. The bank charges the customer a fee and the consumer then writes a formal letter requesting the stop-payment on the check.
Call the bank. As soon as a customer decides to stop payment on a particular check, the bank should be notified. This gets the stop-payment into effect sooner. The bank still requires a formal written letter of request to verify the stop-payment. The bank proceeds with the stop-payment as soon as the phone call is made.
Write a letter asking the bank to stop payment. Be sure to date the letter. Address the letter to your bank and include the bank’s name, address and contact person if known. Request that the bank to place stop-payment on a check.
Provide all the information regarding the check. List the check number, the amount, the date it was written, the recipient and your own account number. Include an authorization on the request letter that allows the bank to deduct the fee for the stop-payment service out of your account. Sign and mail or delivery the letter.
Renew the stop-payment request after six months. Stop-payment orders are in effect for six months from the date ordered. After six months, the recipient may still try to cash the check, and legally the bank will allow it to clear because the stop-payment order is no longer in effect. It can, however, be renewed for six more months.
