R08

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High-Priority Return Code

This ACH return code indicates a customer has issued a stop payment order for a specific transaction, which is different from revoking authorization entirely. The bank must verify whether this is intended as a one-time stop payment or a complete authorization revocation to ensure proper handling.

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Error message: "The receiver of a recurring debit transaction has stopped payment on a specific ACH debit."

What Causes ACH Return Code R08?

The R08 ACH return code means "Payment Stopped" and indicates that a customer has specifically instructed their bank to stop a particular ACH debit transaction. This is different from revoking authorization entirely (R07) - R08 typically applies to individual transactions rather than canceling all future payments. The customer's bank must return the transaction within 2 banking days of receiving the stop payment request.

Stop payment orders are a consumer protection mechanism that allows account holders to prevent specific transactions from processing. Customers often use this when they want to halt a single payment due to billing disputes, service issues, or temporary financial constraints while potentially maintaining ongoing authorization for future transactions.

Can You Retry R08 Payments?

You can potentially retry R08 payments, but not immediately and not using the same bank account information. First, you must contact the customer to understand why they stopped the payment and resolve any underlying issues. If the customer agrees to proceed, you'll need to obtain new authorization before attempting another ACH transaction.

Common Causes

Customer disputes a specific charge or billing amount
Customer canceled service but payment still processed
Customer experiencing temporary financial difficulties
Billing error or duplicate charge was attempted
Customer didn't recognize the merchant name or charge description

Key Information

Return timeframe: 2 banking days
Applies to specific transactions, not all authorization
Bank should verify if customer intends to revoke all authorization
Cannot retry immediately with same account information
Stop payment orders typically remain active for 6 months

How to Respond to an R08 Code

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An R08 return indicates a customer-initiated stop payment for a specific transaction. Understanding the reason behind the stop payment is essential before attempting any retry or resolution.

When Your Customer's Payment Fails

Contact Customer Immediately
Reach out to understand why they stopped the payment and address any concerns or issues.
Resolve Underlying Issues
Fix any billing errors, service problems, or communication gaps that led to the stop payment.
Verify Customer Intent
Confirm whether they want to stop this single payment or revoke authorization for all future transactions.‍
Obtain New Authorization if Resolved
If issues are resolved and customer agrees, collect fresh authorization before processing any new payments.

Email Template

Subject: Payment Issue - Let's Resolve This Together

Hi [Customer Name],

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We noticed that you requested a stop payment for your recent transaction. We want to understand what happened and make sure we address any concerns you might have.

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Could you please let us know:

Was there an issue with the charge amount or timing?
Are you experiencing any problems with our service?
Is there anything we can do to resolve this?

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We're committed to making this right and want to ensure you have a positive experience with us. Please call us at [phone number] or reply to this email with a convenient time to discuss.

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Thanks,

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[Your Company Name]

When Your Payment to Vendors Fails

An R08 return on vendor payments indicates the vendor has stopped payment for a specific transaction. This requires immediate investigation to understand if there are disputes, billing errors, or relationship issues affecting the payment.