To cancel an Interac e-Transfer, sign in to your online or mobile banking, open your e-Transfer history, select the pending transfer, and choose the cancel or stop payment option. This only works while the transfer is still pending. Once the recipient has deposited the funds, or if they have Autodeposit turned on, the transfer is final and your bank cannot reverse it.1Interac. Frequently Asked Questions
When Cancellation Is Still Possible
Every e-Transfer sits in a pending state between the moment you send it and the moment the recipient accepts it. During that window, you can cancel through your bank. The window closes the instant the money is deposited, and after that there is no way to reverse the transaction through your financial institution.1Interac. Frequently Asked Questions
Autodeposit shrinks that window to almost nothing. If your recipient has the feature enabled, the funds land in their account without any security question, and the transfer can’t be cancelled.2Scotiabank Canada. Cancel Interac e-Transfer Transactions In that situation your only option is to contact the recipient and ask them to send the money back.
Steps to Cancel a Pending Transfer
The process takes a few minutes through your bank’s website or app:
- Log in to your online or mobile banking.
- Open your Interac e-Transfer history or pending transfers.
- Select the transfer you want to stop.
- Choose the cancel or stop payment option.1Interac. Frequently Asked Questions
- Confirm. Your bank may show a summary screen with any fee before you finalize.
Menu names vary slightly between institutions, but the flow is the same everywhere.1Interac. Frequently Asked Questions If you can’t find the option, call your bank’s help line and have the transfer’s reference number ready; you’ll find it on the transaction record.3Interac. Interac e-Transfer Help Topics – Section: Reference Number
What It Costs
Most banks charge a small fee for a successful cancellation. CIBC charges $3.50.4CIBC. How to Stop an Interac e-Transfer Payment National Bank also charges $3.50.5National Bank. How Do I Cancel an Interac e-Transfer Some banks charge up to $5, and others waive the fee or offer a short grace period during which cancellations are free. Check your account agreement to confirm what applies to you.
When the Money Comes Back
Once the cancellation processes, the funds are returned to your account, usually instantly.2Scotiabank Canada. Cancel Interac e-Transfer Transactions The credit occasionally takes up to one business day depending on your bank. It will show as a credit entry in your transaction history, and the original transfer will be marked cancelled. If a fee applied, the credit will equal the original amount minus that fee. Your bank typically sends an email or text confirming the refund.
If the Recipient Never Claimed It
You don’t lose the money if the recipient simply ignores the notification. An unclaimed Interac e-Transfer expires after 30 calendar days, and you’ll get instructions on how to reclaim the funds to your account.6Interac. Interac e-Transfer Help Topics Even if you miss the cancellation window, you can wait out the 30 days and recover the money automatically, provided the recipient doesn’t deposit it in the meantime.7RBC Royal Bank. Cancel or Reclaim an Interac e-Transfer
If the Transfer Has Already Been Deposited
Once the funds have been accepted or auto-deposited, your bank can’t pull them back. Interac’s guidance is to contact the recipient directly and ask them to return the money.1Interac. Frequently Asked Questions If you sent it to someone you know, they’ll often just send a new e-Transfer back.
If the recipient is a stranger or won’t respond, you can use the Interac Request Money feature in your banking app to send them a formal payment request for the amount. They aren’t obligated to pay, but the request creates a documented ask.
If the recipient refuses to return funds they received in error, you may have grounds to file in your province’s small claims court. Filing fees and claim limits vary by province. Before you file, gather the transfer confirmation, the amount, the recipient’s contact information, and any messages where you asked for the money back.
If You Were Scammed
A fraudulent transfer needs a different response. Contact your financial institution right away to report the transaction. Even when the transfer can’t be reversed, your bank may flag the recipient’s account and help with an investigation.
File a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which tracks fraud across Canada and shares information with law enforcement. You can report online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca or call 1-888-495-8501, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern time.8Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Report Fraud and Cybercrime Contact your local police as well, particularly when the amount is significant. A police report creates an official record that supports both a bank investigation and any later action to recover the funds.