You can pay most Bank of America bills by calling their automated phone line or speaking to a representative
Bank of America offers two phone-based ways to pay bills: the automated system (available 24/7) and speaking with a representative during business hours. The automated route is faster if you know your account and bill details. Speaking with someone takes longer but works if you need to ask questions or have an unusual payment situation.
Both methods charge the same way: the payment comes from your Bank of America checking or savings account, and it posts within one to three business days depending on when you call and which bill you're paying. You'll need your account number for the bill you're paying, your Bank of America account number, and the amount you want to send.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-BANK-OF-A (1-800-226-5628) to reach Bank of America's automated bill payment system any time of day or night.
- The automated system processes your payment immediately, but it posts to the biller within one to three business days.
- You can speak to a representative during business hours if you need help or want to set up a recurring payment.
- Payments come from your Bank of America checking or savings account, and you'll need both your account number and the biller's account number.
- If you're paying a credit card, mortgage, or loan, Bank of America may offer a faster payment option through their online banking instead of the phone.
How to use the automated phone payment system
Call 1-800-226-5628 from any phone. The automated system will ask you to enter your Bank of America account number or the phone number associated with your account. You'll then enter your PIN or answer security questions to verify your identity.
Once verified, select "Pay Bills" from the menu. The system will ask which account the payment should come from (checking or savings) and which bill you want to pay. Enter the biller's account number, the amount, and the date you want the payment to go out. The system will confirm all details before processing.
The payment is submitted immediately, but it doesn't reach the biller right away. Most payments post within one to three business days. If you call on a Friday evening, the payment typically won't process until Monday.
Speaking with a representative by phone
Call the same number (1-800-226-5628) and choose the option to speak with someone. Wait times vary by time of day and season. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
A representative can help if you don't know the biller's account number, want to set up a recurring payment, or need to change a payment you already scheduled. They can also walk you through the process if the automated system isn't working or if you're paying a bill that isn't in the system yet.
Payments made through a representative post on the same timeline as automated payments — one to three business days. The representative will give you a confirmation number before you hang up.
What information you need before calling
Have your Bank of America account number ready. This is the account the payment will come from, and it's printed on your debit card or statement.
You'll also need the account number for the bill you're paying. This is usually printed on your bill statement. If you don't have it, the representative can sometimes look it up if you give them the biller's name and your name on that account.
Know the amount you want to pay and the date you want it to go out. The date you choose should be at least one business day before your bill is due, since payments take one to three days to post.
Payment timing and when money actually leaves your account
When you schedule a payment by phone, you choose the date you want it to be sent. That's the date Bank of America processes it, not the date it arrives at the biller. Money leaves your Bank of America account on the date you choose, but the biller may not receive it for one to three more business days.
If your bill is due on the 15th, schedule the payment for the 12th or earlier to be safe. Weekends and holidays don't count as business days, so a payment scheduled for Friday may not reach the biller until Tuesday.
Once the payment posts at the biller, it usually shows up in your biller's system within 24 hours. You can check your Bank of America account online or by calling to confirm the payment left your account.
Paying Bank of America's own bills by phone
If you're paying a Bank of America credit card, mortgage, home equity line of credit, or auto loan, you can use the same phone number. However, Bank of America often processes these payments faster through their online banking portal or mobile app — sometimes same-day if you pay before a certain time in the afternoon.
Calling works for these bills too, but it's slower. If you're close to a due date and worried about late fees, the online or mobile app route is safer. The phone system will tell you if a faster option is available for the bill you're paying.
What happens if you miss a payment deadline
If you schedule a payment but it doesn't reach the biller by the due date, the biller may charge a late fee. This is your responsibility, not Bank of America's, because you chose the payment date. Always schedule payments early enough to account for the one- to three-day processing time.
If a payment posts late and you're charged a late fee, contact the biller directly to ask them to remove it. Some billers will reverse one late fee if you explain the delay and have a good payment history. Bank of America won't reverse a late fee on your behalf.
If you're worried about missing a deadline, ask the representative to set up a recurring payment instead. Recurring payments go out automatically on the same date each month, so you don't have to remember to call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a bill by phone if I don't have a Bank of America account?
No. The phone payment system requires you to be a Bank of America customer and to pay from a Bank of America checking or savings account. If you don't have an account with them, you'll need to pay the biller directly through their website, by mail, or by phone using a debit or credit card.
Is there a fee to pay a bill by phone?
Bank of America does not charge a fee for bill payments made through their phone system. The payment is free whether you use the automated system or speak with a representative. The biller may charge you a fee if they charge for phone payments, but that's separate from Bank of America's service.
What if the biller's account number is wrong?
The payment will likely go to the wrong account or be rejected. If you realize the mistake before the payment posts, call back immediately to cancel it. Once it posts, contact the biller to explain and ask them to redirect it. This is why it's important to double-check the account number before confirming the payment.
Can I set up automatic recurring payments by phone?
Yes. Ask the representative to set up a recurring payment, and tell them the amount and the date each month you want it to go out. The payment will process automatically on that date until you call back to cancel it. This is useful for bills that are the same amount every month, like insurance or loan payments.
How do I cancel a payment I already scheduled?
Call 1-800-226-5628 and speak with a representative. If the payment hasn't posted yet, they can cancel it. Once it leaves your account, it's too late to cancel through Bank of America — you'll have to contact the biller to ask them to reverse it or apply it to a different account.