Sent money to the wrong account? What to do next in the UK
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
Most UK bank transfers arrive within minutes and can't simply be cancelled. If you typed the wrong sort code or account number, the money has usually already gone. But there is a process to try to get it back, and acting quickly helps.
What to do straight away
- Contact your bank or money app as soon as you notice, through its official app or phone number.
- Give the date, the amount, and the details you sent it to.
- Ask it to start recovering the payment from the receiving bank.
- Keep a note of who you spoke to and any reference number.
What your bank can do
Your bank must make reasonable efforts to get the money back, and the receiving bank must cooperate. The receiving bank will usually contact the person who received the money and ask them to return it. If they won't, your bank can give you information to help you pursue it yourself. Keeping money you know was sent by mistake can be a crime.
If it was a scam
If someone tricked you into sending the money, tell your bank it was a scam, not a mistake. Different rules apply, and in the UK many victims of authorised push payment scams can now be reimbursed.
Avoiding it next time
Check the name match result from Confirmation of Payee before you send, send a small test payment for large amounts, and use saved payees for people you pay often.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms let your customers send transfers from GBP, EUR and USD accounts under your own brand, powered by licensed partners.
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Create your own financial platform.
Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.
Build my platform →Questions people ask
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.