How to cancel a money transfer

Sending money is usually easy. Canceling a transfer? Not always. Most platforms, like Cash App and PayPal, transfer money fast, and while that speed is convenient, it also means there's not much time to fix a mistake and stop a money transfer. 

This guide walks you through how to cancel a money transfer, including how to cancel a Cash App payment and how to cancel PayPal transfers. It also covers what you can do if you sent Zelle to the wrong number. We’ll also cover how refunds work, what to do if you made a mistake, and how BOSS Money’s unique retail network gives you extra flexibility. 

Can you cancel a money transfer?

It depends on the type of payment and whether it has finished processing. Most modern platforms, including Cash App, PayPal, and Zelle, rely on real-time payments, which are designed to move money instantly between accounts. That speed is convenient, but it also means there’s little room to undo a mistake.

The key factor is the transaction status. If it’s:

So, while you can sometimes cancel a payment before it clears, real-time systems make mistakes harder to fix. This is why double-checking recipient details before hitting send can help you avoid sending money to the wrong person or chasing down a refund later.

How to cancel a Cash App payment

Wondering how to stop a payment on Cash App? With Cash App, timing is everything, and you can’t always cancel completed Cash App to Cash App transactions. 

To cancel a transaction, you can do two things: 

First, check if the payment receipt has a cancel option. This usually (not always) applies to Pending transactions. Open your Activity tab and tap the transaction you want to stop. Click the three dots (…). If you see a Cancel Payment option, tap it right away

Second, if the payment is already Completed, try asking the recipient (they should also be a Cash App user) for a refund. This is often the easiest way to cancel a completed transaction. 

To process your refund, the recipient will need to:

1. Check their Activity tab (clock icon) via their Cash App home screen.
2. Select the transaction.
3. Tap the three dots icon (…).
4. Select Refund.
5. Tap OK to confirm.

1. Open your Activity tab.
2. Select the transaction you want to dispute. 
3. Click the three dots icon (…) and tap Report an Issue from the menu.
4. Choose the option that best describes your issue. For instance, you can select “I sent the wrong person money” and click Next. 
5. A team will review your case, and you’ll receive updates. 
6. Once they’ve made a final decision, you’ll be notified via the app.

You can also submit a refund request on Cash App. 

1. Go to your Cash App home screen and click the Activity tab.
2. Tap the Request button to submit your refund request.

How to cancel a PayPal transfer

Can you cancel a PayPal payment? Yes, but only if the payment is still Unclaimed. To check:

1. Go to Activity and find the payment you want to cancel.
2. Click its transaction ID. 
3. Click Cancel. 

After 30 days, PayPal automatically cancels Unclaimed transactions. 

To check the status of your refund, go to your Activity log and use the Refund Tracker. 

But what if it’s already marked Completed? Once a PayPal payment is completed, it can’t be canceled because the recipient already has the funds. You can try contacting the recipient and asking them to issue a refund. Go to your Activity tab and select the transfer. This lets you find the recipient’s contact details.

Otherwise, you’ll need to open a case in the Resolution Center. 

1. Click Report a Problem and choose the transaction you want to cancel.
2. Tap Continue and select the reason for the cancellation or dispute. 
3. Include relevant information before hitting Submit. 

You have 180 days to file a dispute for cases like unauthorized activity in your account or billing errors. If you still can’t resolve the dispute, you can escalate this to a claim within 20 days. 

If you’ve been charged in error, filing a refund request with PayPal or opening a dispute is the right move. Refunds usually post back to your card or bank account within 5–30 business days.

PayPal Goods and Services (G&S) vs. Friends and Family (F&F)

There’s also another factor that comes into play when canceling a PayPal transfer: the type of payment channel you’re using. 

If you’re buying products or services, PayPal G&S gives you additional security in case you receive items that don’t fit the description, get charged for the wrong item, or don’t receive your item. 

Meanwhile, PayPal F&F is great for personal (non-commercial) transactions. This option lets you transfer funds (domestic and international) to friends and family. The downside to using F&F for transfers is that PayPal doesn’t offer a refund or dispute resolution. That’s because the funds sent via F&F are considered “personal gifts.”

How to cancel a Zelle payment

Zelle is designed for speed. Once your money lands, it’s as good as gone. 

So, can you cancel a Zelle payment? Yes, but only if the recipient hasn’t enrolled in Zelle yet. Until then, your payment is pending. 

1. Open your Activity page and select the transaction you want to stop payment for in Zelle.
2. Select Cancel This Payment.

If you sent Zelle to the wrong number and that person is already enrolled, you can’t cancel it. In that case, you’ll need to contact your bank and report the transaction. If it was unauthorized, your bank may be able to reverse it. If not, you’ll need to request the recipient to refund you.

Pending Zelle transfers that go unclaimed (because the recipient hasn’t enrolled their Zelle profile) usually expire in about 14 days, and the money is returned to you automatically.

Other money transfer services

How do other money transfer services stack up against Cash App, PayPal, and Zelle when it comes to canceling money transfers? 

Venmo

Venmo follows the same pattern. If the payment is still marked Pending, you can still cancel it. Once it’s been accepted, you’ll need to request a refund from the recipient (charge request) or contact Venmo Support.

To avoid sending money to the wrong person on Venmo, double-check usernames, making sure to check their profile picture and activity before confirming.

Western Union

With Western Union, you can cancel money transfers that haven’t been collected. If your recipient hasn’t picked up the cash, cancel it online or with customer support. For international wire transfers, you must contact your bank immediately within a 30-minute window.

You can get a full refund for cancelled transfers. In some cases, you may need to go to a Western Union agent to get your refund. Also, there’s no guarantee that your transfer fees will also be refunded.

MoneyGram

You can cancel a MoneyGram transfer as long as the recipient hasn’t collected the money. You can’t cancel a transfer once the recipient has collected the funds or the money’s been deposited to their account.

Wise

Wise lets you cancel transfers that are still “in progress.” To cancel, log in to your account and select the transfer. Click Cancel transfer. If there’s no option to cancel or if the transaction is marked as Complete, you’ll need to contact the recipient or their bank.  

Xoom

Xoom transfers can be canceled as long as the status is Processing or if the recipient hasn’t received the funds yet. Once completed, you’ll need to contact Xoom Support to file a refund request. Refunds are issued to your original payment method.

BOSS Money: Cancellation and refund policy

If you’re still trying to figure out how to get your money back from a wrong transfer, the good news is that BOSS Money simplifies this for you. 

With BOSS Money, you usually have a 30-minute window to cancel a transfer and get a full refund (in U.S. dollars), as long as the money hasn’t been posted, delivered, or deposited yet. Refunds are issued to your original payment method or in cash, depending on how you paid. To cancel a transaction:

1. Contact the agent where you processed the transfer.
2. Provide information or resources to help identify the transaction you want to cancel. This includes the receipt (as proof), the recipient’s name, and the transaction amount.

This is a big advantage if you don’t have a bank account or card. You can send, and if needed, cancel a money transfer entirely in cash. 

If you used your credit or debit card, IDT Corporation, BOSS Money’s parent company, will attempt to stop the funds from being debited from your account after you’ve filed your request.

However, once this window has passed, you can no longer cancel expedited transactions. You may still be able to cancel non-expedited transactions, but only until 7:00 p.m. EST, and it should be on the same day that BOSS Money receives the transaction in question. 

How to avoid sending money to the wrong person

Accidentally sending money to the wrong person happens more often than you think. According to research from Moneyhub⁵, nearly 1 in 10 have accidentally transferred money to the wrong person. 

Here’s what to do to avoid such costly mistakes:

• Always double-check the recipient’s details.
• Use the favorite recipients feature when making transfers.
• Save transaction receipts and confirmation emails (proof of transfer).
• Send a small test amount first.

Conclusion

Sending money online is quick and convenient, but it also comes with risks when mistakes happen. Whether you’re learning how to cancel a Cash App payment or wondering if you can cancel a PayPal transfer, the rules are mostly the same.

Most confirmed transfers can’t be reversed, so acting fast while it’s still pending is key. If cancellation isn’t an option, request a refund or file a dispute.

When it comes to sending money, the smarter move is to avoid errors in the first place. This means double-checking recipient details and saving transaction receipts and confirmations. 

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of August 20, 2025

1. https://cash.app/help/gb/3051-cancelling-a-payment
2. https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/i-want-my-money-back-can-i-cancel-a-payment-help106
3. https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/whats-the-difference-between-friends-and-family-or-goods-and-services-payments-help277
4. https://www.zellepay.com/faq/can-i-cancel-payment
5. https://www.moneyhub.com/press-blog/2024/10/25/nearly-1-in-10-have-accidentally-made-a-payment-to-the-wrong-person

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.