Automatic payments are there for your convenience, but you are always in control of your payments.
You are notified each time a payment is scheduled. If you set up a recurring payment rule with a specific end date, you will be notified you when the last payment for that rule is scheduled.
If you set up an automatic payment based on an eBill, you will be notified when the bill arrives and when your payment is scheduled. You will also be notified if your eBill is not received in the time frame it is expected.