How do I get my money back if I've made a bank transfer to the wrong account?
Mistakes can happen when transferring money to another person or company, such as using the wrong payee when making a bank transfer.
The key to rectifying the problem, and getting your money back, is to act quickly.
Our step-by-step guide explains how to contact your bank and what happens if your money can’t be returned.
1. What is a misdirected payment?
A ‘misdirected payment’ happens when you send money to the wrong bank account. For example, you might have typed the recipient's name in wrong, or made an error when entering their account number.
If the account you've sent the money to exists, you’ll need to contact your bank to request your money back. If it doesn’t, the payment should fail and the money should automatically bounce back to you.
With the rise of online and app-based banking, we're making more transfers than ever before - so it’s no surprise that errors happen.
2. Tell your bank as soon as you spot the mistake
Inform your bank or building society as soon as you realise you have sent money to the wrong account.
Make a note of when the payment was made as well as the amount you sent, the name on the account, and the account number and sort code.
Your bank should take action within two working days under the misdirected payments code of best practice.
This code was introduced in 2014 and outlines how banks should act in the event that a customer sends money to the wrong account.
The code doesn’t guarantee that you’ll always recover any money paid in error, but in most instances your bank should be able to get it back for you.
Either way, you should be informed of the outcome quickly so you can take further action or seek legal advice if necessary.
How to contact your bank
It's vital that you phone your bank immediately - the sooner you act, the better your chances of getting the money back.
Contact details for some of the UK's biggest banks are listed below. If yours isn’t included, look up the details on its website or call the phone number on the back of your bank card.
Bank contact details
| Barclays |
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| Clydesdale Bank |
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| First Direct |
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| Halifax |
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| HSBC |
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| Lloyds Bank |
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| Metro Bank |
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| Nationwide |
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3. What if the money can’t be returned?
If your bank can't reclaim funds straight away – for instance, if the recipient disputes its return – the bank will investigate and you should be told the outcome within 15 business days.
If funds can't be recovered, your bank is required to give clear and accurate information on the options available to you, which may include making a complaint or taking court action against the recipient.
4. How to complain if your bank lets you down
If you're unhappy with the service you received from your bank or believe it didn't followed the code of best practice, you should register a complaint by following its formal complaints procedure.
Failing a satisfactory outcome, you can escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman.
5. How to avoid misdirected payments
Since 2020, it’s been easier to avoid misdirected payments thanks to the Confirmation of Payee service.
Banks use this service to check if the name and account type (e.g. personal or business account) you enter when setting up a new payee matches the details registered with the bank receiving the money.
If the details don't match up, a warning is provided before you make the payment.
There are also some other steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of sending money to the wrong account, including the following:
- Double-check the sort code and account number before sending money.
- Check the amount and payment reference, especially if you're paying a business or a bill.
- If you are sending a large amount of money, send a smaller sum first and check with the intended recipient that they’ve received it.
- For payments such as house deposits, consider using the Clearing House Automated Payment System (CHAPS) rather than a bank transfer.
- If your bank has signed up to the Confirmation of Payee system and it tells you the name of the account is different to the number, always double check these details before making the payment. If you ignore warnings and then fall victim to a scam, it may be harder to get your money back.
- If you’re making a transfer to someone you have paid before, check their details haven’t changed.
What to do if someone sends you money in error
If you receive money in your account which has been sent in error, contact your bank straight away to report it.
If you keep and spend the money knowing you weren't the intended recipient, you could be charged with 'retaining wrongful credit'.