- A merchant you never authorized drafted your checking account.
- An old gym/subscription restarted drafts years later.
- Account details leaked from a payroll or bill-pay form.
Same-day actions
- Call the bank fraud/ACH number — report unauthorized debit(s).
- Ask them to stop future ACH from that originator if tools exist.
- Change banking password, enable 2FA, review linked bill-pay companies.
- If a checkbook was stolen, ask about closing the account vs. monitoring.
File the dispute paperwork
- Complete the bank’s unauthorized ACH affidavit / claim form.
- List each transaction date and amount.
- Keep copies and the claim number.
- Watch for provisional credit and final decision letters.
Also lock down the merchant side
If you recognize a former merchant, cancel any lingering authorization in writing. If you do not recognize them, still ask the bank to help identify the ACH company ID (SEC code / originator name).
Evidence checklist
- Statement lines
- Bank claim number
- Affidavit copy
- Password-change confirmation
- Any merchant revoke letter
FAQ
How long do I have to report?
Deadlines can be short. Report as soon as you see the debit and ask the bank for their exact window.
Is this the same as a credit card chargeback?
No. ACH/consumer bank rules differ from card network disputes.
Should I also file a police report?
For clear fraud or large losses, ask the bank whether they want a report number.
Can the merchant draft again next month?
Yes if authorization is not revoked — insist on blocking and cancel any agreement.
Guarantee of reimbursement?
No. Outcomes depend on timing, facts, and bank findings.
Manually reviewed for U.S. unauthorized ACH response steps.
Before you start
- Use the same account/email that was charged.
- Have order IDs, statement lines, and screenshots ready.
- Decide the outcome you want (cancel, refund, waiver, return).
- Prefer written channels when you need proof.
Confirm it actually worked
- Re-check the account/status page the same day.
- Save confirmation emails/PDFs with today’s date in the filename.
- Watch the next statement cycle for surprise charges.
- If something posts after a promise, contact the billing owner the same day with your packet.
Evidence checklist
- Account confirmation screenshots
- Order/case/policy numbers
- Chat/email transcripts with dates
- Bank or PayPal lines highlighted
- Photos or tracking where relevant
What timing usually looks like
Many U.S. merchants respond in 2–7 business days. Card disputes often take longer once filed. Put deadlines on your calendar and send one calm follow-up if a promised date passes.
Mistakes that waste time
- Canceling in the wrong store (app vs Apple/Google/PayPal).
- Only calling once with no written proof.
- Missing return or dispute windows.
- Filing a chargeback with zero merchant-contact notes.
If the company ignores you
- One written follow-up with case ID and attachments.
- Billing-owner support (Apple/Google/PayPal) when they collected payment.
- Your card issuer / bank dispute tools when eligible.
- CFPB complaint portal or State Attorney General consumer forms for patterns — keep the timeline factual.
What to do in the next 7 days
- Day 0–1: finish the in-account steps and save confirmations.
- Day 2–3: if nothing changed, send one short written follow-up with screenshots.
- Day 4–7: prepare a dispute or regulator packet if still stuck.
When escalation is worth it
Escalate when money keeps leaving after cancel, a promised refund date passes, or support only repeats scripts. Keep messages short and factual. This page is about Unauthorized ACH Withdrawal from Your Bank Account (US) — use it as a checklist and adjust dates/amounts to your case.