Your bank account number is like a form of identification; it’s a valuable piece of information unique to you. This number makes it possible to transfer and receive money, ensuring payments move to and from the correct accounts. For example, knowing your bank account number lets you enroll in direct deposit, transfer money between banks, pay bills, use peer-to-peer payment apps, and more.
You probably don’t have your bank account number memorized — and you don’t need to. There are a few different ways you can access it when necessary. Read on to find out where to locate your bank account number and how to keep this information secure.
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A bank account number identifies and provides access to a particular bank account, such as your checking or savings account. It’s private to you and needs to be kept secure.
Bank account numbers are usually between eight and 12 digits long. However, don’t confuse your bank account number with your debit or credit card number — they’re not the same. Even though your debit card is linked to a checking account, the number on your card is different from your checking account number.
There are several places to look for your bank account number, depending on your account type and where you bank. Below are five ways to easily find your bank account number when needed.
Whether you receive paper or electronic bank statements, you should be able to find your account number on this bank-issued document. Look for an eight- to 12-digit number near the top of the statement. It should be labeled “Account” or “Account number.”
Read more: What is a bank statement, and how do you read one?
If you’re looking for your checking account number, your checkbook (if you have one) can help you quickly find it. Look for your account number on the bottom of a check. Typically, the leftmost number is your routing number, followed by your eight- to 12-digit account number in the center of the check.
Read more: Where are the routing and account numbers on a check?
Log into your bank’s online platform using your username and password. You’ll likely need to answer a security question, provide a one-time code sent to your phone, or complete some other method of multifactor authentication. After logging in, you should be able to find your account number listed within your account details.
If you don’t have online banking set up yet, you’ll need to enroll through your bank’s website before you can log in and see your account details.
Read more: Online banking vs. traditional banking: Which one is right for you?
If you use mobile banking, you can find your account number in your bank’s mobile app. Simply log in, complete any multifactor authentication as needed, and navigate to your account details.
Read more: 5 major benefits of mobile banking
If all else fails, contact your bank. If your bank has a convenient location, stop in and request your account details in person. If not, contact customer service for assistance.
When making a transfer, enrolling in direct deposit, or using your account number in some other way, you may also need to provide your bank routing number.
A routing number is a nine-digit number that identifies a specific financial institution within the US, but it isn’t specific to your account. So, if you have two accounts at a single institution, they’ll have different account numbers, but the same routing number. Note that larger institutions may have several routing numbers to serve different regions of the country.
You can often find your routing number on a check, on your bank or credit union’s website, or by searching online for “[Your bank’s name] routing number”.
Both your bank account number and routing number are key to identifying your deposits and making transactions.
Read more: What is an ABA routing number?
There are plenty of situations where you may need to access and even share your bank account number. However, you should do so with caution.
Knowing these numbers can make it easier for fraudsters to access your accounts, steal your identity, and make unauthorized purchases. Keep your information safe and know when it’s OK to share this information — and when it’s not.
Be wary of giving out your bank account details when:
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You don’t know the person or company asking for it. It may sound obvious, but don’t trust a stranger with your sensitive information, no matter how official they sound.
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Online shopping. When shopping online, pay with a credit card rather than a debit card or bank account. Credit cards come with liability protection, ensuring you aren’t responsible for unauthorized purchases on your account.
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You’re on an unsecured website. You can often find out if a website is secure by looking at the URL. Secured websites typically begin with “https” rather than “http” or have a lock icon in the address bar. Additionally, certain browsers may warn you with a pop-up when you enter an unsecured site.
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Using public Wi-Fi. Public networks are typically less secure than private ones, making your online activity more vulnerable. Don’t access your bank accounts or share sensitive information while on a public network.
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Receiving an unsolicited request for information. If anyone — even a person who appears to be representing your bank — requests your bank account number out of the blue, put your guard up. Bank representatives shouldn’t be contacting you for this information without you initiating some sort of transaction or communication.
