Notify a Creditor That You Have Stopped Payment on a Check • Example Letters, Guides and Samples

Guides

Your motives for writing this letter may vary. You may only wish to notify a creditor that you have canceled the check because it never reached his or her office. Or, you may wish to notify a creditor that you did not receive the goods or services promised and have, therefore, stopped payment on the check. Either way, this letter's tone should remain courteous and formal.

How to write this credit letter:

  1. Inform the reader of the date that you sent the first check, mentioning the check number and amount.
  2. If appropriate, tell the reader you have sent a second check. Again, mention the date you sent it, the check number, and the amount.
  3. Tell the reader that you have stopped payment on the first check, and, if you have not already done so, give the reason why.
  4. Close with a statement about the services or product the creditor has rendered or with an apology for the inconvenience.

Example Letter #1

Copied

I sent you a check (#123) for $123.00 on May 5, 2018, to pay for work your employees did on my driveway. Unfortunately, the work has proved defective, and I am stopping payment on the check until you fix the defects. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. As soon as you complete the work properly, I will send you a new check for the full amount.

Example Letter #2

Copied

On May 25, I sent a check to the Doe Corporation, #123, for $100.00. When I received your past due notice yesterday, I checked with my bank and discovered that the check was never presented for payment, and apparently has been lost. I have stopped payment on the first check and am enclosing another check, #345, for $100.00.

Please accept my apology for the delay. I appreciate doing business with such a fine company.

Example Letter #3

Copied

My bank confirms that my check #345, in the amount of $700, has not been cashed. I mailed the check with October's bill on October 29. Since you have sent me a second billing statement, I can only assume the check has been lost. I have enclosed a replacement check, #354, to pay the balance of $700. I am stopping payment on the first check and ask that you return it if it reaches your office. I apologize for the delay and inconvenience.

Example Letter #4

Copied

On October 8, I sent a check #567 in the amount of $550.00 for purchase and installation of an automatic sprinkler system in my yard. The work was not begun on the fifteenth as agreed, with no explanation offered. This failure to meet the terms of our verbal contract is unacceptable. I have stopped payment on my check and am taking my business elsewhere.

Write Your Letter Step-by-Step

1 Inform the reader of the date that you sent the first check, mentioning the check number and amount.

Sample Sentences for Step 1
  • I understand check #117 for $350.00 that I sent you on May 1, has not reached your office.
  • I want to assure you that I did send check (#119) for $357.79 on April 26.
  • I received a second billing notice a few days ago, so I assume that my original check #421 for $1,395.00 never reached your office.
  • I sent check #349 for $85.17 three weeks ago. If it has not reached your office yet, I suspect it has been lost in the mail.
  • I am sorry to hear that you still have not received my check of $429.97 for services you rendered last month. I share your concern and assure you that I sent check #527 three weeks ago.
  • I sent check #233 for $533.00 on September 8.
Sample Phrases for Step 1
  • assume that you did not receive
  • check #555 in the amount of
  • failed to arrive
  • for the products I ordered
  • have not received my check for
  • if it has not yet reached you
  • if you do not receive it by
  • must have been lost
  • my check never arrived
  • my original check, #555 for
  • please let me know
  • received a second billing notice
  • sent the check on
  • sent check #555 for
  • should have reached you by now
  • should have received my check by
  • sorry to hear that
  • still have not received
  • that I mailed to you on
  • understand that you have not yet received
  • want to assure you that

2 If appropriate, tell the reader you have sent a second check. Again, mention the date you sent it, the check number, and the amount.

Sample Sentences for Step 2
  • I have enclosed a replacement check, #428, with this letter.
  • Enclosed is a replacement check (#213) for the same amount.
  • Please accept the enclosed check #140 for $98.00 and disregard check #123 if it arrives.
  • In a few days you should receive check #411 for $3,954.29.
  • Please let me know if check #319 does not arrive in the next few days. I would be pleased to send you a replacement check at that time.
  • Replacement check #719 will arrive by certified mail by the end of this week.
  • I have asked the post office to trace the first check (#414), and have sent a second check to cover the amount due.
Sample Phrases for Step 2
  • by the end of this week
  • by certified mail
  • for the same amount
  • for the outstanding balance
  • have enclosed a
  • have sent a second check
  • if you do not receive it by
  • if it fails to arrive by
  • if it has not reached you by
  • let me know if
  • please notify me if
  • please disregard check #
  • if you receive check #
  • should arrive by
  • the enclosed replacement check
  • trace the first check
  • will send you a replacement check
  • will be happy to
  • would be pleased to

3 Tell the reader that you have stopped payment on the first check, and, if you have not already done so, give the reason why.

Sample Sentences for Step 3
  • Because the initial check has apparently not arrived, I have stopped payment on it.
  • I want to notify you that I have stopped payment on check #117 because I never received my order.
  • I have asked the bank to cancel check #719 because your crew did not complete the work they contracted to do.
  • I have stopped payment on check #113. If it comes in the mail, please return it to me.
  • If the check does not arrive by the end of the week, please let me know. I will be happy to cancel it and issue you another one.
  • I hope you understand why I had to cancel check #419. Check #423 for the same amount should arrive shortly.
Sample Phrases for Step 3
  • asked the bank to stop payment on
  • because I did not receive
  • because you failed to
  • had to stop payment on check #
  • have stopped payment on
  • have canceled check #
  • if it does not arrive by
  • if you are unable to locate
  • issue you another check
  • let me know if
  • never received my order for
  • please return my check #
  • return it to me
  • should arrive shortly
  • stopped payment on
  • took this action because
  • was not satisfied with
  • was a misunderstanding
  • will cancel the original check
  • wish to notify you that

4 Close with a statement about the services or product the creditor has rendered or with an apology for the inconvenience.

Sample Sentences for Step 4
  • I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.
  • I appreciate the excellent services you have provided us during this last year.
  • I will be happy to reissue the check as soon as I receive the merchandise I ordered.
  • I apologize for the missing check and hope we can remedy this situation quickly.
  • We regret the unavoidable delay. Thank you for your understanding.
  • I am sorry that the check didn't arrive. Please let me know when its replacement reaches your office.
  • As always, we were pleased with your excellent service and your quality products.
  • In the past we have been very satisfied with your superior service, so I am disappointed that this contract did not turn out as well. I am willing to resubmit my check as soon as the work is completed.
  • We apologize for any problems this delay may have caused.
Sample Phrases for Step 4
  • am sorry for the inconvenience
  • am disappointed that
  • apologize for the delay
  • appreciate the service you provide
  • as soon as the work is completed
  • for your patience
  • for your understanding
  • have been very satisfied with
  • please let me know
  • problems this may have caused you
  • regret the delay
  • regret the inconvenience
  • take steps to remedy the situation
  • thank you for
  • want to be sure that
  • were very pleased with
  • when it reaches your office
  • when I receive my order
  • will, in the future, send my payment by
  • will receive prompt payment