Relative asking for my bank account number . . .

[qwerty3656]

+1 for venmo

 

[brett]

The reality is, as others have mentioned, our bank current account number is everywhere. On our cheques even through infrequent use, on our auto deposits, on our auto pays.

Despite this, not one of our current account has EVER been compromised. Nor do I expect it to be. Having an account number in and of itself is not such a threat so it would appear.

I really do not think that it is a big issue. Unless of course you see a security issue specifically with the relative him or herself.

I transferred a large amount directly to my daughter's account. We bank at the same institution. Had the bank verify that I had the right account number, right name prior to the counter person hitting the transfer button. Today I could not tell you what her account number is.

 

[bmcgonig]

Unless he wants to give you a large gift. A wire transfer is needed for large amounts of money. Zelle is limited to 5000 or so, depending on the bank.

 

[CaptTom]

It seems to me that with the routing and account numbers, all anyone can do is make a deposit into the account.

Go ahead. Make all the deposits you want. I won't complain.

Withdrawals would be a whole different situation.

In the OP's case, it sounds like a not-so-tech-savvy relative found a way to transfer money which works for them. OK, fine. Unless proven otherwise, I'd assume good intentions.

 

[Koolau]

I wouldn't worry about it either.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

It does not appear this CU allows any P2P apps like Zelle and he would not be able to master it anyway as email is a struggle. I might call them and ask when they open just out of curiosity.

No checks have ever been written out of this account. It literally just sits there. It isn't an account I use.

Discover Bank lets me pay via Zelle using the phone number of the person I want to pay. My daughter and I send money back and forth constantly for groceries that the other picks up. Also with my neighbor when we share any repairs and my Gardener liked to be paid that way as well. The most I've ever received was over $3000 for airline tickets that I had paid for. One thing to consider is if you don't use that account you mentioned it may be inactive which would possibly cause problems for anyone trying to send you money. If it was me I'd just give him your phone number or e-mail address. It's so convenient and the money is there in seconds. Lots of youtube videos to show you how easy it is.

 

[badatmath]

It is indeed an odd request, but as others have pointed out, your bank's routing number and your account number are there for the taking on every check that you write. Has this person givin you gifts in the past?

If I was going to gift money to relatives and I didn't want to write a bunch of checks I could order checks with them as payee mailed to their home address from my bank's bill pay app rather than ask for their banking information... much less intrusive to ask for your address than your banking information.

As I said, I don't write checks on this account. Ever. If I wanted to write one I'd use a different bank. One with money in it LOL.

But he has my address. Hell from what I can tell there is no one in the world who does not have my address as I get a lot of "buy your house for cash" crap via USPS. . .

He has sent me checks before if he sends Christmas cards (which is a "sometimes").

Thinking on some of your comments it occurs to me he is just not savvy enough to think of another way. . . so either he will drop it or he will ask the nice bank employee to figure it out for him. . . IDC really now that I'm over the shock that someone would ask me.

I can't think of a time I've given money that was not in the form of a gift card or physically handed over cash but I'd likely not remember. I go for physical gifts or cards generally.

 

[Sunset]

As I said, I don't write checks on this account. Ever. If I wanted to write one I'd use a different bank. One with money in it LOL.

But he has my address. Hell from what I can tell there is no one in the world who does not have my address as I get a lot of "buy your house for cash" crap via USPS. . .

He has sent me checks before if he sends Christmas cards (which is a "sometimes").

Thinking on some of your comments it occurs to me he is just not savvy enough to think of another way. . . so either he will drop it or he will ask the nice bank employee to figure it out for him. . . IDC really now that I'm over the shock that someone would ask me.

I can't think of a time I've given money that was not in the form of a gift card or physically handed over cash but I'd likely not remember. I go for physical gifts or cards generally.

Nice that you are keeping us up to date, but maybe I missed it, have you actually talked to this person on the phone ? or was it all by email ?

 

[bmcgonig]

As I said, I don't write checks on this account. Ever. If I wanted to write one I'd use a different bank. One with money in it LOL.

But he has my address. Hell from what I can tell there is no one in the world who does not have my address as I get a lot of "buy your house for cash" crap via USPS. . .

He has sent me checks before if he sends Christmas cards (which is a "sometimes").

Thinking on some of your comments it occurs to me he is just not savvy enough to think of another way. . . so either he will drop it or he will ask the nice bank employee to figure it out for him. . . IDC really now that I'm over the shock that someone would ask me.

I can't think of a time I've given money that was not in the form of a gift card or physically handed over cash but I'd likely not remember. I go for physical gifts or cards generally.

Or maybe he’s savvier than you think. I’ve no idea why you’re fighting this.

I had to send a large sum recently and Zelle or Venmo wasn’t good enough. I needed the account number for a wire transfer.

 

[badatmath]

Nice that you are keeping us up to date, but maybe I missed it, have you actually talked to this person on the phone ? or was it all by email ?

Yes. I talked to him. He is insulted. I don't really need or want money from any other adults and at this point I'm just annoyed. Kind of like talking to a toddler . . . but not cute.

 

[badatmath]

Discover Bank lets me pay via Zelle using the phone number of the person I want to pay. My daughter and I send money back and forth constantly for groceries that the other picks up. Also with my neighbor when we share any repairs and my Gardener liked to be paid that way as well. The most I've ever received was over $3000 for airline tickets that I had paid for. One thing to consider is if you don't use that account you mentioned it may be inactive which would possibly cause problems for anyone trying to send you money. If it was me I'd just give him your phone number or e-mail address. It's so convenient and the money is there in seconds. Lots of youtube videos to show you how easy it is.

It isn't inactive, thanks for pointing that out though. He has my phone number.

 

[badatmath]

I guess I will update you if I get a mysterious deposit or a check! He will either drop the matter or go bother the bank to figure out how to do this for him IDK.

 

[Walt34]

We (well, DW) still write checks for gift-giving when the occasion calls for it, always to grandnieces and eventually to the younger grandnephews when they're old enough to have bank accounts. I'll talk to her about Zelle as I know the bank offers it, I can't remember if the credit union does or not.

 

[CRLLS]

We (well, DW) still write checks for gift-giving when the occasion calls for it, always to grandnieces and eventually to the younger grandnephews when they're old enough to have bank accounts. I'll talk to her about Zelle as I know the bank offers it, I can't remember if the credit union does or not.

While a young person can have a bank account, a recipient must be over 18 to receive from Zelle. I don't know why that is in place. I tried to send granddaughter some money via Zelle and it was returned. 2 months later she turned 18 and all was good. For those 2 months, I sent the $ to her mother. Then her mother transferred the same amount into her account. Granddaughter's account must have been either a joint account or a custodial account at a Credit Union.

 

[Texas Proud]

I hate the cash apps just like I hate debit cards... if something goes wrong it is YOUR problem... they might fix it but there is no legal remedy if they do not...

I would write a check... yes it has the account number on it but I am not that concerned... if something happens that is the banks problem...

 

[Sunset]

We (well, DW) still write checks for gift-giving when the occasion calls for it, always to grandnieces and eventually to the younger grandnephews when they're old enough to have bank accounts. I'll talk to her about Zelle as I know the bank offers it, I can't remember if the credit union does or not.

I write checks to some folks as gifts and mail them. Can include a card and seems more personal than Zelle saying they got a deposit.

 

[Midpack]

Seems a strange way for someone to transfer money. That said, your checking account numbers have been on paper checks for all time.

Funny isn’t it. Worrying about a relative having your bank account numbers while you’ve given them to all sorts of other barely known entities with every check or eCheck you’ve done. We do eChecks all the time to avoid CC fees.

But I agree Venmo, Zelle or PayPal is the best way to transfer cash between friends and family.

 

[jim584672]

Create a new account, get payment, move $$, close account.

 

[target2019]

Take money, deposit check, close account, open new account for bonus. Update new phone number in required accounts. Come up for air next spring.

Just kidding.

 

[braumeister]

Reminds me of the time, long ago, when a stranger named Michael Anthony came to the door and handed me a cashier's check for a very large amount of money. He said the only condition was that the donor had to remain anonymous.

Of course I assumed it was a scam and tore up the check. I always wondered about it though ...

 

[jazz4cash]

It seems to me that with the routing and account numbers, all anyone can do is make a deposit into the account.

Go ahead. Make all the deposits you want. I won't complain.

Withdrawals would be a whole different situation.

In the OP's case, it sounds like a not-so-tech-savvy relative found a way to transfer money which works for them. OK, fine. Unless proven otherwise, I'd assume good intentions.

If I had your account and routing numbers I could draw funds out of your account to pay my property taxes. They are supposed to match the name but that is easy to know.

 

[jazz4cash]

I hadn't considered he might have fallen for some scam or be subject to one in the future but definitely not out of the question that it could happen in the future.

I laughed when I saw the upper limits of Zelle as no one has ever given me 2K in my entire life. Except my former employer in the form of a paycheck.

Anyway I just said no thanks hopefully he will just drop the subject. I don't see any reason for someone I'm not close with to send anything anyway.

I just found it somewhat unsettling to be asked though I can't precisely say why.

I think I would follow up a bit to confirm its not a scam.

 

[Time2]

I have used Zelle to receive money, I can't remember ever sending money. This weekend we went to brunch with my son and a couple of his friends at a local Thai Temple. They only accept cash and as you may know much of the younger generation only bounces their phone of of a machine to pay for things, they had no cash. My son paid for them and at the end of the meal they both used Zelle to transfer payment for their meals to him.

 

[ivinsfan]

Yes. I talked to him. He is insulted. I don't really need or want money from any other adults and at this point I'm just annoyed. Kind of like talking to a toddler . . . but not cute.

So your family member is older and not up to date about things like money transfers and such. Since you called him it wasn't a scam? And the end result of this call is that he feels insulted and you are annoyed and made fun of him (ie like talking to a toddler).. I'm confused and sad that it even got this far... what a shame.

 

[badatmath]

So your family member is older and not up to date about things like money transfers and such. Since you called him it wasn't a scam? And the end result of this call is that he feels insulted and you are annoyed and made fun of him (ie like talking to a toddler).. I'm confused and sad that it even got this far... what a shame.

I'm not annoyed he doesn't know modern payment methods (I don't know them either).

I'm annoyed he asked for personal information that is none of his business and now is pouting about not getting it.

I told him no gift was necessary thanks anyway. He could have just said "okay". Pouting is not something adults should do.