Bank Account Number?

LegacyUser

Just a quick question out of curiosity - how sensitive are people to giving their bank account number/ sort-code to other people they know to arrange for e-payment of bills? I know I'm always giving mine to friends who need to pay me back money, and I have say, my landlords for paying rent etc...

However, when I owed my boyfriend of 6 months €1100 and I asked for his bank number so I could set him up as a beneficiary on banking online and transfer him the money, he was adamant in saying "no" and insisted that I give him the cash.

So just wondering is this a common thing about being so secretive about a set of numbers - what does he think I'm going to do, hack in to his account and steal money!?! identity theft?! What's stranger is that he is very open about money in general, what he earns etc, and often gives his credit card to his brother to book stuff for him online,

so the fact that he's so weird about the bank account number makes me wonder is it me he doesn't trust, or just doing an old-fashioned conservative not-giving-out-my-number effort that's very common?

Not personally bothered, but just curious!

echosound

He could just be a bit sensitive about giving out bank account numbers, nothing to do with you.
Some people are like that, others aren't.

I personally don't give my bank account number to anyone other than "official" bodies, who need it to set up a direct debit from my account, or a payment like wages etc into my account - if a friend owes me money, they usually just give cash, same in reverse, it actually wouldn't dawn on me to put it in directly into their bank account, I'd just hand it to them. It's not that I don't trust them, as how are they going to get money out of it, they can only put money in, it's just it wouldn't dawn on me as a way to give back someone (a friend) money that was owed.

shapez

Hi,

I would be reluctant to give out my bank details to someone I didn't know. But, if you mention he throws around his credit card that's more risky than giving away bank a/c details!!

Cathmandooo

I give mine out so people can transfer what they owe me. I'd admit it would be only to people I trust and I wouldn't send it out by computer or text message just in case, we never know what new technology the hackers will have tomorrow though!!

I'm sure this person is just being cautious although being your boyfriend I'd have thought he'd trust you, I've even seen pin codes that boyfriends have put into atms, not that I memorise them though!!

Perhaps he's had a problem with the bank before and the fewer people he gives out his account number to the fewer he could suspect if something goes wrong!

amazingemmet

Bank acc and sort code number are safe to hand out its the exact same details on the end of every cheque you hand out if you use them. The only thing someone can do with them is either pay money into your acc or apply for a direct debit which in that case they need an originator code which can only be obtained by legit organisations

seamus

People have absolutely no idea these days what is sensitive information and what isn't. As a result, people are terrified of telling anyone anything which could possible be remotely private.

A hacker or anyone else cannot steal money from your bank account with your bank account number and sort code. It is perfectly safe to give anyone these details. If money does go missing, it's because someone in the bank screwed up, their processes failed and your money is covered.

I'm still laughing at the frenzy the british media has created over these lost disks in the UK. The media are focussing on "OMG, someone has millions of people's bank account numbers!!!!!1111", when the more worrying thing is the loss of names, social security number and other info such as the number of children and so on. The loss of bank account numbers will only affect the banks - they'll need to be more vigilant on checking identification and signatures. The individuals involved won't be affected at all.

The only thing someone can do with your Bank a/c no and sort code is give you money. If they want to do that, let them.

skywalker

amazingemmet wrote: »

Bank acc and sort code number are safe to hand out its the exact same details on the end of every cheque you hand out if you use them. The only thing someone can do with them is either pay money into your acc or apply for a direct debit which in that case they need an originator code which can only be obtained by legit organisations

+1

Im amazed how panicked people get about these particular details, while being much more free with things like credit/atm cards, which actually can be used for fraud if they fall into the wrong hands.

Give your bank a/z number to every joe soap on the street if you want. What can they do with them? Nothing.

Elessar

seamus wrote: »

A hacker or anyone else cannot steal money from your bank account with your bank account number and sort code. It is perfectly safe to give anyone these details.

Unfortunately this is incorrect. Where I bank, all one has to do is walk up to the til, say you want to make a withdrawl, they ask you for the account number and amount, you sign a docket and it's done. I was suprised myself how easy it is. If my a/c number fell into the wrong hands, there is nothing stopping anyone from simply walking into my bank and stealing all my money. Of course you may be able to get it back and whatnot I'm not sure on the law here, but suffice to say, it is not safe at all to give anyone your bank details.

Sangre

Well, your bank is crap. Unless they recognise you.

You'd still be covered with the signature and CCTV footage showing its you.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Dublin14

UnregUnreg wrote: »

So the fact that he's so weird about the bank account number makes me wonder is it me he doesn't trust

I think people are missing the point here........... The OP was taken aback by her BOYFRIENDS refusal to give her his bank account number.... She's now wondering if maybe he doesn't really trust her??

You've been together 6 months so I can't see why he wouldn't give it to you.... Surely after 6 months he knows he can trust you and like you said what does he think you are going to do with the number....??

I'm sure there is a perfectly simple explanation though - I suggest you mention it to him - just to ease your mind...

seamus

Elessar wrote: »

Unfortunately this is incorrect. Where I bank, all one has to do is walk up to the til, say you want to make a withdrawl, they ask you for the account number and amount, you sign a docket and it's done. I was suprised myself how easy it is. If my a/c number fell into the wrong hands, there is nothing stopping anyone from simply walking into my bank and stealing all my money. Of course you may be able to get it back and whatnot I'm not sure on the law here, but suffice to say, it is not safe at all to give anyone your bank details.

Your money would be safe. This would be the bank's problem.

"All my money is gone"
"Yes sir, you took it out yesterday".
"No I didn't"
"Yes you did."
"Show me the withdrawal slip"
"Here you go"
"That's not my signature, it's not even spelled right".
<bank checks records>
"Oh, you're right sir. Here's your money back"

I've also attempted to withdraw money from my account without my ATM card. They refused. If your bank gives your money away, you have a **** bank.

biko

He's probably read a lot of Nigerian mails trying to get his details.

l3LoWnA

I would be weary of a boyfriend of 6 months not wanting to ive you his Bank a/c details. I would jump to all sorts of weird conclusions in my head. He either doesn't trust you, or has something to hide. It's obviously not just the issue of giving you the number, as he often gives out his credit card.

Unless, he just doesn't know the details and is way too lazy to root them out and give them to you?! That's a possibility.

I have loads of my friends and family members set up on my account to transfer money to as and when I need to and find it's the easiest method and people prefer it, even family who live in the same house as I do!

LegacyUser

Maybe he just wanted the money in cash for some reason or another, you should really be asking him what the problem is.. and let's be honest, that's what this thread is about!

He might just want it in his hand because it's easier, if he has something already planned for it. Maybe he owes it to a friend?

Overheal

UnregUnreg wrote: »

Just a quick question out of curiosity - how sensitive are people to giving their bank account number/ sort-code to other people they know to arrange for e-payment of bills? I know I'm always giving mine to friends who need to pay me back money, and I have say, my landlords for paying rent etc...

However, when I owed my boyfriend of 6 months €1100 and I asked for his bank number so I could set him up as a beneficiary on banking online and transfer him the money, he was adamant in saying "no" and insisted that I give him the cash.

So just wondering is this a common thing about being so secretive about a set of numbers - what does he think I'm going to do, hack in to his account and steal money!?! identity theft?! What's stranger is that he is very open about money in general, what he earns etc, and often gives his credit card to his brother to book stuff for him online,

so the fact that he's so weird about the bank account number makes me wonder is it me he doesn't trust, or just doing an old-fashioned conservative not-giving-out-my-number effort that's very common?

Not personally bothered, but just curious!

i wouldnt read too much into it. its not a matter of trust just of common sense: the more often you divulge sensitive information the more likely it is to leak. It might even be something you dont plan on: maybe you write down his internet banking details on a postit note and that goes missing? Imagine the fallout 1 postit note can cause when your account has just been withdrawn for €3,000 or so.

jor el

UnregUnreg wrote: »

However, when I owed my boyfriend of 6 months €1100 and I asked for his bank number so I could set him up as a beneficiary on banking online and transfer him the money, he was adamant in saying "no" and insisted that I give him the cash.

Could be many reasons for him doing this. Maybe he is ignorant of how you can use his account number and thinks you'll be able to see how much money he has (or hasn't) if he gives it to you. This is really a trust issue as it would indicate that he doesn't trust you. Maybe let him know that he's nothing to worry about as you can't do anything with that information. See what seamus said in his post.

He could have a big overdraft and doesn't want that to swallow up the money. He could also just not like having his money in the bank and so prefer to keep it out in cash.

Overheal wrote:

Imagine the fallout 1 postit note can cause when your account has just been withdrawn for €3,000 or so.

But this cannot happen, unless the bank doesn't check ID when someone tries to withdraw the money. This would be the banks fault and any bank that still doesn't check ID is one you should stop using. Handing over your bank details is as safe as writing a cheque. In fact it's even safer, as when you give someone a cheque, they get a copy of your signature too.

Lawless_Samurai

shapez wrote: »

Hi,

I would be reluctant to give out my bank details to someone I didn't know. But, if you mention he throws around his credit card that's more risky than giving away bank a/c details!!

Giving his credit card to his Bro to use is hardly throwing it around.

It doesn't mean he doesn't trust you, just that he is weary about his a/c details, thats all imo

Agent J

If a bank gives out money over the counter and they dont ask for proper ID then it is their problem.

Banks should also be asking for you card and pin numbers. Thats what happened with my bank anyway.

I have no problem giving people my details to pay me for household bills etc and prefer to pay people in to their accounts as well. Its easier than having to lodge the money.

He is being over secretive for no good reason.

cazzy

Thats being a bit over cautious. A cheque has a bank account and sort code number written on it so anyone who gets a cheque from you has these details.

It would be extremely difficult to get any information or money from a bank account with just the sort code and bank account number. Its not like a credit card number.

Unless of course you worked in a bank or knew someone that did !

Victor

OP, you may have to decide if he is being private or secretive. Private is OK, if extreme. Secretive makes one wonder. The only good secrets are surprises.

I suspect he may have money problems.

daveirl wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

All something a significant other might have access to.

Capt'n Midnight

just another thing to consider
if you lodge money to his bank account you can prove it
if you give him cash you can't prove anything unless he gives you a receipt

He's probably afraid you would give the bank account number to Mr Umwengy who will then, in return for a 15% finders fee, lodge the $30,000,000.00 that the late Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith took with him back in 1980 ...

the_syco

He's known his bro all his life. He's known you 6 months.

There's a saying: what's mine is mine, and what's ours is also mine.

I don't see it as a matter of trust. He gave you the €1100 didn't he?

LegacyUser

maybe he has an overdraft/ short term debt that he would rather keep secretive of you - where he would rather the money in cash so he can use it! plausible imo

dade

Elessar wrote: »

Unfortunately this is incorrect. Where I bank, all one has to do is walk up to the til, say you want to make a withdrawl, they ask you for the account number and amount, you sign a docket and it's done. .

would that be Ulster bank? coz any time i withdra cash in branch with my ATM card they just ask for teh last digit on my account and then i sign away bloody crazy stuff. no pin or nothing needed

Sangre

Victor wrote: »

All something a significant other might have access to.

Well unless the OP is gay I don't think that would be a problem.

axer

Maybe he doesn't want the money going through his bank account. Why don't you ask him why? There might be a perfectly valid reason.

EamonnKeane

I don't care about giving out my details. My bank account is 90-09-14 43500991 and my PIN is 5500. I dare you to try and defraud me. Go on.

the_syco

EamonnKeane wrote: »

I don't care about giving out my details. My bank account is 90-09-14 43500199 and my PIN is 0055. I dare you to try and defraud me. Go on.

Most likely someone else's Account details.