Are you looking to receive your salary or want to keep your funds in a safe avenue and manage them well? With a bank account, you can do all this and even more. Your bank account is identified using a unique account number or UAN. But how do you find your bank account number? Before getting into the different ways of doing so,go through what a bank account number is in detail. If you're unsure about how to check your bank account number, there are some simple ways to find out.
What is a bank account number?
A bank account number is a unique identifier allotted to every individual account held at a bank. It serves several essential purposes, including account identification, fund transfers, and setting up automatic payments. When you want to transfer/receive funds or set up automatic payments, your bank account number is what you provide.
As a bank account number is a basic identifier, no two banks can have the same bank account number. Each bank account number is secured and confidential, and it is essential to keep it safe. Sharing your bank account number carelessly can expose you to risks. It is also recommended to always cross-check bank account numbers before making the transaction to make sure your funds are heading to the right place. So, the importance of a bank account number cannot be undermined in contemporary banking.
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How does a bank account number work?
To find your bank account number, you can find it mentioned in your chequebook, passbook, net banking portal, mobile banking app, account statements, etc.
A regular savings bank accountnumber can be utilised for account identification, to transfer funds, or to set an auto pay mode. Cheque payments and utility bill payments also require an account number since it is the key identifier during transactions.
Protecting bank account numbers
A bank account number is crucial information and is vulnerable to theft and bank fraud. Thus, it is necessary to safeguard it.
With advanced digital intervention, several other security measures have been employed such as two-factor authentication, multi-step verification, and more. When you update any changes in your bank account, you must verify through an OTP and provide profile passwords. A profile password is an added layer of security which is different from your log-in password, and it is only used when changing information in your bank account such as your address, adding a beneficiary, and more.
How to locate your bank account number?
In case you are not sure about your bank account number, you can conveniently find it on your chequebook, passbook, or bank account statements. New bank accounts offer a welcome kit that contains account details such as debit card information, online banking log-in access, etc., including your account number.
The simplest way to know your bank account number is via your mobile banking application. To fetch your bank account number, simply sign in to your online banking account and search for the ‘Account Details’ option.
How long is a bank account number?
Banks in India follow a defined format for assigning bank account numbers. The account number can be an 11-digit to 16-digit number depending on the bank.
How to find your bank account number
Here are 5 different ways to know what your account number is:
A welcome letter
When a bank account is opened, you receive a welcome kit. This letter includes your bank branch ID, customer ID, account number details, and other crucial information. Locating your account number details in the welcome letter is the easiest and simplest way.
A chequebook
A chequebook contains all crucial details like your name, mobile number, address, bank account number, etc. Also, you can find your current or savings bank account number digits on every cheque leaf.
A bank passbook or account statement
The first page of the passbook has your account details, which include your name, account number, age, date of birth, contact address and number, and so on. You can either check your account number on your passbook or conduct a bank account number search online through net ormobile banking.
With most banks offering e-statements on request, you can even conduct an account number check online by looking into your registered email account for the receipt of the same.
Mobile banking app
By using yourbank’s mobile app, you can locate your account number easily. On logging into the app, you get to see your bank account number.
Net banking
You can look for all your essential bank account details on the net banking portal, including your bank account number. This is usually on the homepage once you log in to your account along with your account balance and other basic details.
Importance of keeping your bank account number secure
People usually share their account numbers without hesitation. However, registering your bank account number anywhere might lead to fraud or data theft, so it is necessary to keep your account number secure and be aware of how to utilise it with all the safety measures in place. Mentioned here are some crucial reasons why you must keep your account number safe:
- Banking fraud
It is the most common reason why you shouldn’t share your bank account details without checks. A bank account number contains numerous details and has your debit and credit card details linked with the account. Banks also suggest not sharing your account details unless a fund transfer is involved. Even if you share your bank account details for money transfers, you must be aware of the credibility of the sender, especially if it is a first-time sender or an online source from where you are receiving the money.
- Personal identity theft
Identity theft is quite common in the current digital environment. Whatever details you put public online are vulnerable to data thieves who collect information for possible fraud or cybercrimes. However, knowing just your account number, unethical hackers won’t be able to withdraw funds from your bank account but, they can closely monitor your activities and put you under the radar to collect crucial information, which can eventually result in financial losses. Ensure to keep your account number confidential unless you are accepting fund transfers from a trusted source.
- Online threat
It is always advisable not to share your account number online through e-mails or similar sources since they can be read by anyone accessing the device. Doing so can also create a similar threat to your bank account such as fraud and data theft. Use trusted and secured channels to share your account details, especially when using a social media platform for sharing information.
- Avoid providing details to random texts requesting your account numbers
A common fraud that surfaced recently was requesting account numbers instead of sending some prize money through lotteries, online games, and more. Always avoid responding to such texts, emails, or messages. Providing account numbers to such sources can surely cause you severe financial harm. It is always important to make the right decisions and keep your bank account safe by not sharing your bank account details with a random communication you received online.
Conclusion
To find your account number, you can check your bank mini statement, passbook, and chequebook or log in to your online bank account. Since it is sensitive information, you must keep your account number safe and use it with trusted and known sources.
