Guides › Banking Scams and Fraud › Sent Money to the Wrong Account
Sent Money to the Wrong Account
If you send a payment to the wrong account by mistake, contact your bank immediately. It must make a reasonable effort to get your money back, though it is not liable if you lose it and may charge a fee. If the money cannot be recovered, you can ask in writing for the recipient's details to take court action.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Rights
Mistaken Payments
If you gave the wrong sort code or account number, your bank must make a reasonable effort to get your money back, but won't be liable if you lose it and may charge a fee. Contact it immediately. If it is not recovered, you can ask in writing for the recipient's details and take court action. If the bank sent money to the wrong account itself, it must refund the full amount plus charges or interest. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- ImmediatelyContact your bankThe sooner, the better the chance
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Call your bank straight away with the payment details.
Step 2 of 5
Ask it to contact the receiving bank.
Step 3 of 5
Follow up in writing.
Step 4 of 5
If not recovered, ask in writing for the recipient's details.
Step 5 of 5
If you think it was a scam, see our scam guide.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Bank's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing, once your bank has refused or not replied.
Financial Ombudsman Service
You are unhappy with your bank's final response. It is free, and its limit is 430,000 pounds.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Check the name shown before you confirm a new payee.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- fca.org.uk/consumers/making-receiving-payments Checked 13 October 2026
- psr.org.uk/information-for-consumers/app-fraud-reimbursement-protections Checked 13 October 2026