A bank account number is a unique string of numbers and, sometimes, letters and other characters that identify a particular bank account and grant access to it. This often is one of the most important account numbers people have for transacting business.
Key Takeaways
A bank account number is a unique identifier of the owner of a bank account and permits access to it.
In online banking, account numbers are vulnerable to fraud.
Multi-factor identification and other security measures work to protect bank account numbers, along with passwords.
You can find your bank account number on the bottom of a paper check, just after the routing number.
How a Bank Account Number Works
A bank checking account's number is located at the bottom of the paper check. You'll see three sets of numbers in a computer-readable font at the bottom of the check:
The first set of numbers on the left is the nine-digit bank routing number.
The middle numbers are youraccount number.
The third number is the number of the check.
Payroll processing offices use checking account numbers to set up direct deposit payments for employees.
Bank account numbers are vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. This is why you have to answer questions about your mother's maiden name when you try to make routine changes to an account like your bank account. The means of making it difficult for hackers to steal account numbers have in recent years taken the form of password managers along with multi-factor authentication, or MFA, systems.
Businesses now often employ a hard-to-hack master password to unlock an electronic vault of customers' bank account numbers and other sensitive data. Consumers are becoming accustomed to multifactor authentication, which adds another step before granting access to a bank account, such as requiring a fingerprint, voice activation, or a time-sensitive code sent to the cellphone number on record.
These are just some of the means of protecting users’ bank account numbers in an increasingly vulnerable online environment.
The traditional check layout applies to mostpersonal checks, but some business checks and bank-printed checks have other formats.
On a paper check, the nine-digit routing number identifies specific financial institutions within the U.S. The number identifies the check as having been issued by a federal- or state-chartered bank that maintains an account with the Federal Reserve.
This system dates back to 1910 and was developed initially as a way to help bank clerks sort through piles of checks and assign them to the correct drawer. Today, electronic services use them in much the same way for wire transfers, to draw a payment from a deposit at the correct institution.
The individual's bank account number works together with the routing number to identify the right account holder at the right institution.
How to Locate Your Bank Account Number
You can find your bank account number on your monthly bank statement, or by visiting a branch of your bank.
If you are using a checking account, the account number is also printed on your paper checks. You can find it printed between the bank's routing number and the check number, as shown below.
How Do You Find the Account Number on a Check?
You can find your bank account number printed at the bottom of your paper check. This is the second sequence of numbers, printed between the nine-digit routing number and the shorter check number. This number can also be found on your account statement.
How Long Is a Bank Account Number?
A bank account number is usually eight to 12 digits long, but some account numbers have up to 17 digits. Note that this is not the same as your debit card number or credit card number.
How Do You Find Out Your Account Number?
You can find your bank account number on your bank statements, printed at the bottom of a paper check, or by logging on to the bank's website. If you can't find it in these ways, try visiting a bank branch in person.
The Bottom Line
A bank account number is a unique identifier for each account at a bank or other financial institution that you have. Along with the routing number, the bank uses this number to make payments and accept deposits. Due to the increase in identity theft and fraud, it is important to actively protect your bank account number and other banking information.
A bank account number is a unique string of numbers and, sometimes, letters and other characters that identify a particular bank account and grant access to it.
Look at a check. Your account number (usually 10 digits) is specific to your personal account. It's the second set of numbers printed on the bottom of your checks, just to the right of the bank routing number.
The account number is the second series of digits, and it's scrunched between the routing and check numbers. In the same example from above, the 12-digit account number is 012345678912.
Most banks also print the bank account number on the front or back of your bank card. However, this is not to be confused with the card number, which is the 16 digit number, usually placed in the middle of your bank card.
If you have a current account, you can also find your account number on your debit card. It may be printed on either the front or back of the card, and will typically be labelled as 'Account Number' or 'Account No.'
Is the checking account number on a debit card? No. The number shown on the debit card is the card number, not the checking account number. The checking account number can be found along the bottom of a check, on a bank statement, or through an online banking platform.
Typically, account numbers are provided in paper bank statements and electronic statements. If you have elected to receive electronic bank statements, you may have access to them online under Statements and Notices.
Bank account numbers typically consist of eight to 12 digits, but some account numbers could even contain up to 17 digits. You can find your account number on your checks or by accessing your account on your financial institution's website or by contacting the bank directly.
The difference between a routing number and an account number is that a routing number identifies a specific bank while an account number identifies a personal bank account. The routing number is the first nine-digit number in the bottom left corner of a check. It's immediately followed by the account number.
Usually, a Bank account in India consists of 11-16 digits. Public sector banks such as SBI, follow 11 digits pattern for their account number, starting from 2. It has 17 digits, in the case of the online SBI portal which starts with six zeros, making it the longest in banking history.
What Can Someone Do With Your Bank Account and Routing Number? If someone has access to both your bank account and routing number, they could make fraudulent ACH transfers and payments out of your account. In other words, you could wind up being scammed.
No, a debit card number and a savings account number are not the same. While the debit card number and savings account number are associated with the same account, they are two separate pieces of information that serve different purposes.
Your Bank's Online Portal or App — Outside of looking at your checks, the quickest and easiest way to find your bank's routing number is to check your account information through your bank's online portal or mobile app. Bank Statements — You can usually find your routing number somewhere on your monthly bank statement.
Your account number is located along the bottom of your check, to the right of the routing number and to the left of the check number. Will you be using this information to receive a wire transfer?
Bank account numbers typically consist of eight to 12 digits, but some account numbers could even contain up to 17 digits. You can find your account number on your checks or by accessing your account on your financial institution's website or by contacting the bank directly.
Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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