A Comprehensive Guide to Cancelling Electronic Checks
Despite their many advantages, electronic checks still carry risk if you need to cancel or revoke a payment before it processes.
This comprehensive guide covers how to successfully cancel an e-check, including:
• Establishing a cancellation policy with recipients
• Determining the stage of payment processing
• Contacting the correct party to cancel
• Alternative methods to stop or reverse e-checks
• Factors impacting cancellation success
• Proof of cancellation for disputing charges
•Best practices for avoiding future issues
With this background, individuals and businesses can take the proper steps to cancel electronic checks when necessary and avoid related issues going forward.
Establish a Cancellation Policy
Before accepting payments, establish a clear policy with recipients regarding:
•Requirements for cancelling e-checks (amount of advance notice, valid reasons, etc.)
•Acceptable methods for requesting cancellation.
•The timeframe after which cancellations will not be honored.
Determine Payment Stage
To cancel an e-check:
• Before submission – Contact the payment platform or recipient directly.
•After submission but not deposited – Contact your bank to stop payment.
•After deposit into recipient’s account – Pursue reimbursement from the recipient.
Contact the Correct Party
To cancel an e-check:
• Before submitting – Contact the payment platform.
•After submitting but before deposit – Contact your bank to place a stop payment.
•After deposit – Contact the recipient to request a refund or credit.
Alternative Cancellation Methods
If unsuccessful, consider:
• Filing a dispute with your bank – May result in reimbursement but strains the relationship.
•Pursuing legal action – A last resort, as it’s costly and time-consuming.
Factors Impacting Success
Cancellation depends on:
•Your bank’s stop payment policies.
•The recipient’s e-check deposit policies.
•The payment’s location in the processing cycle.
Proof of Cancellation
Request:
•A confirmation number from your bank.
• A cancellation code from the payment platform.
• An email confirmation from the recipient.
Avoid Future Issues
To minimize cancellation problems:
• Monitor accounts regularly for erroneous payments.
•Utilize alternative payment methods with higher security.
•Build relationships based on trust to facilitate cancellations when needed.
