A stop payment is a request to cancel a payment before it has been processed, for example by canceling a check before it has been paid.
There are many reasons why a payment stop may be requested, including the cancellation of goods or services, or human error in writing the wrong amount on a check.
The issuance of a payment order to stop often costs the owner of a bank account a commission for the service.
The stop payment request may expire if the bank does not find the check or payment.