Payment Reversal / Payment Recall
A request to cancel or return a payment after it has been sent, either because of an error or fraud, subject to the cooperation of the receiving bank.
Also known as: recall payment, payment clawback, transaction recall
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
A payment reversal (for card transactions) or payment recall (for bank transfers) is an attempt to claw back funds after they have left your account. For cards, reversals happen through the chargeback process. For bank transfers, a recall is a request your bank sends to the receiving bank asking them to return the funds — but the receiving bank can only comply if the money is still in that account and the account holder agrees.
Fraudsters know that once money reaches their account and is withdrawn, a recall will fail. This is why fraud schemes are designed to make victims send money urgently — reducing the window for a recall. Faster payment systems compress this window to seconds.
If you realise you have sent a payment in error or as a result of fraud, contact your bank immediately. Speed is critical. The bank will file a recall request, but recovery is not guaranteed. Reporting to police simultaneously creates a reference number that can help the receiving bank freeze the funds.