Confirmation of Payee

What is confirmation of payee?

Confirmation of payee is a way of helping you make sure that you send money to the right account. It does this by checking the details of  the account you want to send money to before you send it. This helps you to avoid paying the wrong person or business. It also helps prevent scams. It works for accounts at UK banks who have signed up to the confirmation of payee service.
 

What is a payee?

A payee is a person or business you want to pay money to.
 

What details does confirmation of payee help to check?

It helps you to check that the account name, sort code and account number matches the one on the payee’s account. It does this when you set up a new payee or a standing order on 365 online.
 

Can someone check my payment details if they want to pay me?

Yes. When someone wants to pay you, they can check your details too. This only works if their bank uses confirmation of payee.
 

Make sure you continue to get paid

Please make sure that people have your correct account details. This means the right sort code, account number, and name. It also means letting people know if your account is a personal or business account. This will help keep your money safe and you will keep getting paid. Remember to let people know if your details change.
 

Take care when paying anyone new

When you set up a new payee or standing order, make sure you have the correct account details. The right sort code, account number, name and if the account type is personal or business for the person or business you are trying to pay. Check that the request for payment is genuine. Confirm the details directly with someone you know and trust.
 

Watch out for fraud

Some tell-tale signs of fraud are:

  • Someone puts you under pressure to make a payment
  • Changes to account details
  • People you don’t know asking you to pay them.

How does confirmation of payee work and what does it mean for you?

It checks the account name, sort code and account number matches the one on the payee’s account. Most of the time you will get a match, no match, or a close match. The results you can get are shown below.

For more information see our FAQ How does confirmation of payee work and what does it mean for you?.

 

ResponseWhat this meansWhat you can doFraud advice
 

Yes, it’s a match

Screenshot of, Yes it’s a match message

You’ve got the payee’s account details exactly right.

Go ahead and set up the payee or standing order.

Before continuing we recommend checking with the payee that the request for payment is genuine.

 

Close match

Screenshot of, Name does not match exactly message

Screenshot of, account type does not match message

The payee name you entered is very similar to the one on the account of the person or organisation you want to pay.

The type of account you entered is different to the type held by the person or organisation you want to pay.

Double check the name and account details you entered.

Go back and edit the details or go ahead and set up the payee or standing order.

Confirm the correct name and/or account type directly with the payee.

 

No match

Screenshot of, name does not match message

The payee name you entered is not the same as the one on the account of the person or organisation you want to pay.

Confirm the correct name directly with the payee before continuing.

Contact the payee using a phone number you know is genuine.

Think about how you got these account details and why you’re sending this money.

If you are in any doubt do not go ahead.

If you send funds to the wrong account, you may not get the money back.

We strongly recommend that you confirm the correct name directly with the payee before continuing.

 

Account number not found

Screenshot of, account number not found message

The bank is telling us they cannot find that account on their system.

Double check that what you entered is correct and update the details if not.

If the details are correct, tell the payee that you are unable to continue.

You will be unable to continue with setting up this payee or standing order.

In this instance, you will need to contact the payee to get alternative payment details.

 

Account has been switched

Screenshot of, account has been witched message

Unable to check those account details as the account has been switched.

Check the new account details with the payee before continuing.

Check the new account details with the payee before continuing.

 

Reference details not found

Screenshot of, reference details not found message

The reference you entered cannot be found.

Check the new reference details with the payee before continuing.

The reference is important as it helps your money reach the intended account.

Make sure you complete the reference details before continuing.

 

Unable to check the name / account details

Screenshot of, we can not check the name message

Screenshot of, unable to check account details message

 

Unable to check the name or account details on that account. This could happen for a number of reasons:

  • The bank where the account is held is not supporting a name check on that specific account.

  • The payee has opted out of the CoP scheme.

  • The bank where the account is held has not yet signed up to the CoP Scheme.

  • A range of technical or open banking errors.

We strongly recommend you confirm the name and account details with the payee before continuing.

Contact the payee using a phone number you know is genuine.

Please be careful when setting up to transfer money.

Only send funds to someone you know and have been able to confirm account details with by phone or face-to-face.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does confirmation of payee work and what does it mean for me?

    Payments made from other people to you

    When someone wants to make payments into your account for the first time, they will be asked for some details about you. Their bank will then immediately check these details with us. They want to know if they match the details we have for your account. They can then decide to go ahead or not.

    When you ask other people to pay you

    For some people the name on their account is different from the name they use every day and are known by. Don’t give people who want to pay you a shortened version of your name or a nickname. And always tell them if your account is a personal or business account. It helps if you put your full account name on invoices and requests for payment.

    If you are unsure of your account name:

    1. Check the name on your bank statement. It’s the name in the address window.
    2. Call us on 0345 7365 555. We can confirm the name on the account for anyone who wants to pay you. Our lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm Saturday and we are closed Sundays.

    What if the name doesn’t match the one on your account?

    If someone tries to pay you using a name that doesn’t match the one on your account, they may decide not to pay you. Don’t forget to let people know if your account name changes.

    Make sure you let people know your account type

    It is important to let people know if your account is a personal or business account.

    Make sure you give people the right sort code and account number

    When some of our branches relocated, their sort codes may have changed. Please check this list to make sure you use the right one.

    Make sure you understand the reason for the payment you are receiving

    Ensure that you know why you’re receiving a payment to avoid becoming involved in financial crime, by reviewing our fraud pages.

    Payments you make to other people or to a business

    When you add a new payee and create a new standing order in 365 online, we have added a new step. We now check the details with the payee’s bank or payment service provider. We then tell you if the details match.

    When you are setting up a payment on 365 online

    Make sure you have the account details and name of who you’re paying. You may want to contact the person or business you are making the payment to.

    Get the name right

    If you are paying a person, enter their first and last name (avoid using initials, shortened names or nicknames).

    If you are paying into a joint account, enter the full name (first name and surname) of at least one of the people on the account. If you want to enter more than one name, you need to enter the full name of each person separated with ‘and’. For example: John Doe and Mary Doe.

    If you are paying a business, enter the business or trading name shown on the invoice or request for payment (avoid abbreviations or nicknames).

    365 online does not currently allow you input the & ! @ characters in the payee name field. If the name of the account that you wish to pay into contains these characters, you can still proceed by simply leaving these characters out of the name e.g. for Joe Bloggs & Sons you can input Joe Bloggs Sons and you should get a name match.

    Get the account type right

    Select whether the account you are paying into is a personal or a business account.

    Get the reference right

    When paying into certain accounts, you may be asked to enter a reference. This can help identify the account you are paying. In these cases, the confirmation of payee check may be done against a combination of sort code, account number and the reference you provide.

    What if the details match?

    Even when the payment details match we would always recommend checking with the payee that the request for payment is genuine. If you have any concerns take a look at our fraud pages for further information and advice.

    What if the details don’t exist?

    If we’re told that the sort code and account number do not exist, we can’t set up the payee or standing order. Please contact the payee to get alternative payment details.

  • Ways to make sure people don’t have problems paying you

    Make sure you give anyone who wants to pay you your full name as it appears on your account. Remind people not to use shortened versions of your name. Ask them not to use your initials or a nickname. Remember, we only recognise the name we have on record.

    Make sure people know that they’re making a payment into a personal or business account.

    When a person is paying into your joint account, they must enter the full name (first and last name) of at least one of the people on the account. If they are including more than one name, then they must enter the full name of each of the people, separated by the word ‘and’. For example: John Doe and Mary Doe.

    Make sure that people who deal with customer queries about payments know about confirmation of payee and can give payers your correct details.

  • How do I find out what name Bank of Ireland has on my account, so that I can tell anybody who is trying to pay me?

    There are two ways to check your account name.

    1. Check the name on your bank statement. It’s the name in the address window. See the sample bank statement below. The name area is highlighted.
    2. Call us on 0345 7365 555. We can confirm the name on the account for anyone who wants to pay you. Our lines are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm Saturday and we are closed Sundays.

    example bank statement

  • How do I opt out of confirmation of payee?

    You cannot opt out of confirmation of payee when you’re making a payment to someone else. But you can opt out of having your details checked when other people try to pay you. Business customers cannot opt out of this service.

    Risks of opting out

    Confirmation of payee is being introduced to improve payments between UK banks. It may stop payments going to the wrong account and help prevent fraud. To be effective, it’s essential that everyone can receive a confirmation of payee response when they make a payment.

    By opting out of the service, it means your Bank of Ireland account will not be checked when another person or business tries to make a payment to it. Individuals or businesses making payments to your account will get a message that your details can’t be checked. People setting up new payments may be reluctant to go ahead without confirmation of details. This could mean delays in payments getting to you.

    If you still want to opt out of confirmation of payee

    Please print, fill in and post this form to us. We will check the form and process it within 10 working days.

    What happens to my opt out, if I switch to another bank?

    To stay opted out of confirmation of payee, you will need to contact your new bank after you switch.

  • How do I opt back into confirmation of payee?

    Please print, fill in and post this form to us. We will check the form and process it within 10 working days.

  • Will every bank provide confirmation of payee?

    The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has mandated that all UK banks and payment service providers must have plans in place for confirmation of payee. Most of the larger UK banks already have confirmation of payee.

    If you try to set up a new payee or standing order to pay into an account with a bank or payment service provider that doesn’t use confirmation of payee, we’ll let you know that we are ‘Unable to check account details’. You can then decide if you want to go ahead or not.

  • What name should I use when I am setting up a new payment?

    Personal accounts

    Enter the full name (first name and surname) of the person you want to pay. Don’t use short versions of their name or initials.

    Joint accounts

    If you are paying into a joint account, enter the full name (first name and surname) of at least one of the people on the account. We suggest that you enter one party on the account to increase the chance of a match. If you want to enter more than one name, you need to enter the full name of each person separated with ‘and’. For example: John Doe and Mary Doe.

    Business accounts

    Enter the business name or trading name shown on the invoice or request for payment. Don’t use shortened versions of the business name, such as abbreviations or nicknames. You may need to contact the person you want to pay to get the correct name on the account. Make sure that it matches what you expect.

  • How should I check the payee is genuine?

    Think about how you got these account details and why you’re sending this money. If you have any doubts, check with the payee that the request for payment is genuine. When calling them, use a phone number you trust and know is correct.

    If you are making a payment to a supplier and you get a ‘no match’, then speak to someone you know at the company. Use a phone number you know is genuine. Don’t rely on phone numbers in the request for payment.

    Be extra careful if you have been contacted by the supplier saying that their bank account details have changed. This is a known tactic used by fraudsters. Always check to see if this is genuine.

  • Do I need to know whether the account I’m making a payment to is a personal or business account?

    Yes. This is part of the account check.

  • Is the Reference important to confirmation of payee?

    When paying into certain accounts, you may be asked to enter a reference. This can help identify the account you are paying. In these cases, the confirmation of payee check may be done against a combination of sort code, account number and the reference you enter.

  • Will confirmation of payee be required when making a payment to an existing payee?

    No, we will only do the check when you are setting up a new payee or standing order. If their payment details (name or account number) change, then you will need to set up a new payee or standing order. We will do a new check on the new instruction.

  • Why is it important I get the payee details correct?

    It’s important that you don’t send money to the wrong place. We may not be able to get it back. So, it’s always worth checking that the account details are correct and that the request for payment is genuine with the person or business you’re sending money to.

  • Who decides whether the confirmation of payee check is a match, close match, or no match?

    The payment provider of the person or business you are paying (usually their bank or building society) will decide if the name and account details sent to them match. They will send their response to us. We will show you this response when you add a payee or create a new standing order.

  • Can confirmation of payee stop a payment being made?

    No, we only check account details when you are setting up a new payee or standing order. You decide whether to go ahead after you see the response. When the payee is set up, you can make a payment.

    If the other bank does not recognise the account number you have entered, we will stop you setting up a new payee with those account details. Double check the details you have entered. You may need to check with the payee for the correct details or ask them for new account details.

  • What payments will confirmation of payee cover?

    It covers payments made from and to UK accounts with a sort code and account number. It doesn’t cover payments out of the UK.

  • Will it stop fraud completely?

    No, unfortunately not. But it’s important to remember that confirmation of payee is just one of a range of measures being introduced to reduce fraud. You have an important part to play in helping us to prevent fraud and scams. Always check the confirmation of payee response and only go ahead after you have checked that the details are correct.

  • When confirmation of payee is implemented, who is liable if a payment goes to the wrong place?

    Confirmation of payee is linked to the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) for Authorised Push Payment Scams. The CRM outlines where liability lies if money is lost. It could ultimately lie with the victim’s bank, the scammer’s (recipient) bank, the victim, or a combination of them all.

  • What sort code do I tell people to pay into if my branch has been relocated?

    Remember to give people paying you the new sort code if your branch has been relocated. When some branches relocated, we changed their sort codes. Please check the list below and use the correct one.

    Table of redesigned sort codes

    Branch nameOld sort codeCorrect Sort Code to use when setting up a new payee

    Ballyclare

    909169

    902426

    Ballymoney

    909142

    904800

    Carrickfergus

    902274

    902426

    High Street, Belfast

    902178

    902127

    Kilkeel

    909118

    902338

    Kilrea

    905061

    904982

    Larne

    902303

    902055

    Maghera

    909126

    904982

    Rathfriland

    902362

    900770

    Royal Avenue

    902258

    902127

    Shipquay Street

    904958

    904974

    Waterside

    905037

    904974

     

  • Will my data be secure?

    Payment providers use highly secure architecture to safely exchange confirmation of payee requests. Plus, to be accredited to use the system, companies must undergo rigorous security checks. They must also be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or European equivalents.