Stop an automatic payment by contacting your card issuer or the merchant
You have two ways to stop a recurring charge on your credit card. The faster route is usually to call the card issuer directly — the number is on the back of your card — and ask them to block future charges from that merchant. The more thorough route is to contact the merchant (the company charging you) and cancel the subscription or recurring payment through their system. Most people do both to make sure the charge actually stops.
The card issuer can place a block that prevents that specific merchant from charging you again, but this does not cancel your account with them. If you owe a final payment or have an active subscription, the merchant may pursue the debt or reactivate your account later. Canceling directly with the merchant is the permanent solution, but it requires you to navigate their website or customer service, which is often slower.
The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the charge to stop and whether you want to keep the account open. If you are being charged for something you never signed up for, the card issuer route is faster. If you are canceling a service you intentionally subscribed to, contact the merchant first so there is no confusion about why the charge stopped.
Key Takeaways
- Call your card issuer's customer service line to request they block future charges from a specific merchant — this usually stops the charge within one to two billing cycles.
- Contact the merchant directly through their website or customer service to cancel the subscription or recurring payment in their system, which is the permanent solution.
- Doing both — blocking at the card level and canceling with the merchant — ensures the charge does not restart if the merchant tries to reactivate your account.
- If you dispute a charge as unauthorized, your card issuer can reverse it, but this does not stop future charges unless you also block the merchant or cancel the subscription.
How to contact your card issuer to block a merchant
Find the customer service number on the back of your credit card and call during business hours. Have your card number and the name of the merchant ready. Tell the representative you want to block future charges from that company.
The issuer will place a note on your account and may issue you a new card number, depending on their policy. Ask them to confirm in writing — either by email or by mail — that the block is in place. This creates a record if the charge appears again and you need to dispute it.
Some card issuers also let you manage blocks through their mobile app or online account portal. Log in, look for settings related to "merchant blocks" or "transaction controls," and see if you can add the merchant's name there. Not all issuers offer this feature, so calling is the safest method.
How to cancel directly with the merchant
Log into your account on the merchant's website and look for a settings or account page. Most companies have a "Subscriptions," "Billing," or "Recurring Payments" section where you can view active charges and cancel them yourself. This is the fastest route if the merchant's website is easy to navigate.
If you cannot find the cancellation option online, call the merchant's customer service line. Have your account number or the email address associated with the account ready. Tell them you want to cancel the recurring payment. Ask them to send you a confirmation email with a cancellation date and reference number.
Some merchants make cancellation deliberately difficult — they may require you to call instead of allowing online cancellation, or they may ask you to mail a written request. If this happens, follow their process exactly and keep copies of everything you send. This protects you if they claim they never received your cancellation request.
What to do if a charge appears after you have canceled
If the merchant charges you again after you canceled, contact them first and ask why. Sometimes a final charge or a prorated amount appears after cancellation, and the merchant can explain it. If they cannot justify the charge, ask them to reverse it.
If the merchant refuses to reverse it or does not respond, contact your card issuer and dispute the charge as unauthorized. You will need to tell them the date you canceled and provide any confirmation email or reference number from the merchant. The issuer will investigate and typically reverse the charge within 10 business days while they look into it.
Once the charge is reversed, ask your issuer again to block that merchant. If the same merchant charges you a third time, you may want to close the card and open a new one, especially if the issuer's block is not working.
Differences between blocking and disputing
A block prevents future charges from going through. A dispute reverses a charge that already posted to your account. They are different tools for different situations.
If you catch the charge before it posts (usually within a day or two of the transaction), blocking the merchant is enough. If the charge has already appeared on your statement, you need to dispute it to get your money back. You can do both at the same time — dispute the current charge and ask the issuer to block future ones.
Disputing a charge does not automatically stop the merchant from trying again. That is why contacting the merchant directly or asking your issuer to block them is important. A dispute is a one-time fix; a block is ongoing protection.
When to use a new card number instead
If a merchant keeps charging you even after you have blocked them and disputed charges, ask your card issuer to issue you a new card number. This completely stops the old merchant from charging you because their system will not recognize the new number.
A new card number is also useful if you gave your card details to a merchant you no longer trust, or if you suspect fraud. The old card becomes inactive, and the merchant cannot charge it again. Your issuer will mail you a new physical card, and you can usually use the new number immediately through your online account.
This is a last resort because it requires you to update your card number with any other merchants you use regularly (utilities, subscriptions you want to keep, etc.). But if a merchant is ignoring your cancellation requests, it is the most effective way to stop them.
Preventing unwanted recurring charges in the first place
Before you enter your card details on any website, read the terms carefully. Look for language about recurring charges, free trials that convert to paid subscriptions, or automatic renewals. Many merchants bury this information in small text or require you to uncheck a box to opt out.
For free trials, set a phone reminder for the day before the trial ends. Log into your account and cancel before the charge posts. This is easier than disputing it later.
Consider using a separate card or a virtual card number for subscriptions and one-time purchases. Many card issuers offer virtual card numbers through their app — a temporary number tied to your real account that you can use once or set to expire after a certain date. This keeps recurring merchants from having your main card number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a blocked merchant to stop charging?
Usually one to two billing cycles. The block takes effect immediately in your issuer's system, but if the merchant has already submitted a charge for processing, it may still go through. Once the block is confirmed, no new charges from that merchant should appear. If one does, contact your issuer again and dispute it.
Can I get my money back for charges I did not authorize?
Yes. Contact your card issuer and dispute the charge as unauthorized. They will reverse it while they investigate, which usually takes 10 business days. You do not have to pay the disputed amount while the investigation is ongoing. After the issuer rules in your favor, the reversal becomes permanent.
What if the merchant says I signed up and I do not remember?
You may have agreed to a recurring charge without realizing it — this happens often with free trials or bundled services. If you did not intend to authorize it, you can still dispute it as unauthorized. Your issuer does not require you to prove you did not sign up; they investigate based on your account history and the merchant's records.
Do I need to cancel with the merchant if I block them at the card level?
Blocking at the card level stops the charge, but it does not cancel your account with the merchant. If you want to fully end the relationship and avoid any future issues, contact the merchant and cancel. If you only block the card, the merchant may eventually contact you about the unpaid balance or try to reactivate your account.
Can I stop automatic payments through my bank instead of my card issuer?
If your card is linked to a checking account, your bank may also be able to block recurring charges through a service called ACH debit block. However, this applies to bank account transfers, not credit card charges. For credit card recurring payments, contact the card issuer, not your bank.