What happens when someone sends you money by wire
When someone sends you a wire transfer, the money moves from their bank to Chase through the Federal Reserve or a private wire network. Chase receives the transfer, matches it to your account using your routing number and account number, and deposits it. The whole process usually takes a few hours to one business day, though timing depends on when the sender initiated the transfer and whether it arrived during Chase's processing hours.
You do not need to do anything to receive the money — it arrives automatically once Chase processes it. Your job is to give the sender the correct information so the wire lands in your account and not someone else's. A wrong routing number or account number will send the money to the wrong place, and recovering it takes weeks.
Key Takeaways
- You need your Chase routing number and account number to give to the sender; these are not the same as your debit card number.
- Chase routing numbers vary by state and by account type, so confirm the correct one before you share it.
- Wire transfers are final once sent — if the sender uses the wrong account number, the money goes to another customer's account and recovery is difficult.
- Incoming wires typically show up in your Chase account within a few hours on the same business day, though some may take until the next morning.
- Chase does not charge you a fee to receive a domestic wire transfer, but the sender's bank may charge them to send it.
Finding your routing number and account number
Your Chase routing number appears on the bottom left of any check you have from that account — it is the first nine-digit number. If you do not have a check, log into Chase.com or the Chase mobile app, go to Account Details or Account Information, and the routing number is listed there. Write down the exact number; Chase has different routing numbers for different states and account types, and using the wrong one delays the transfer.
Your account number is the second set of digits on a check, or you can find it in the same Account Details section online. It is usually 10 to 12 digits. Give both numbers to the sender along with your full name as it appears on your Chase account — the name must match exactly or the wire may be rejected.
Some senders ask for a SWIFT code or international routing information. For domestic U.S. wires, you do not need these. SWIFT codes are only for international transfers. If the sender is outside the United States, ask them whether they are sending a domestic wire (which uses your routing and account number) or an international wire (which requires different information).
What to tell the sender
Give the sender this information in writing so there is no confusion:
- Your full name (exactly as it appears on your Chase account)
- Your Chase account number
- Your Chase routing number (confirm it matches your state and account type)
- Your Chase bank address (you can find this by searching "Chase branch near me" or asking Chase customer service)
The sender's bank will ask for all of this before processing the wire. Some senders may also ask for a reference number or memo — this is optional but helpful if you want to know what the wire is for. You can tell the sender to include "Invoice 12345" or "Rent payment" in that field, but it does not affect whether the money reaches your account.
When the wire arrives and how to find it
Domestic wires sent before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually arrive in your Chase account the same day by evening. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends and holidays typically arrive the next business day. International wires take longer — usually three to five business days — because they pass through multiple banks.
Log into Chase.com or the mobile app and check your account balance and transaction history. The wire will show as a deposit with the sender's name and any reference information they included. If you do not see it within the expected timeframe, contact Chase customer service at the number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch with your account number and the sender's information.
Chase will not notify you by email or text that a wire arrived unless you have set up transaction alerts in your account settings. You can turn these on in the Chase app under Alerts and Notifications if you want to be notified of large deposits.
What to do if the wire does not arrive
If the money does not show up after the expected time, contact Chase when ready with the sender's name, the amount, and the date they sent it. Chase can trace the wire using this information. Ask Chase whether the wire arrived at the bank but was rejected, held for review, or never received.
If Chase received the wire but it went to the wrong account because of an error in the account number, recovery is slow and not may provide. The money technically belongs to whoever owns that account, and Chase must contact that customer and ask them to return it. This can take weeks. The sender may need to contact their own bank to file a claim, which adds more time.
If the wire was never received, the sender's bank is responsible for tracing it. The sender should contact their bank when ready and ask them to investigate. Their bank can file a claim with the Federal Reserve or the wire network that was used.
Protecting yourself from wire fraud
Wire fraud happens when someone impersonates a legitimate sender and tricks you into providing your account information, or when a scammer poses as your bank and asks you to "confirm" your routing number. Chase will never ask you for your full account number or routing number by email, text, or phone call. If someone contacts you claiming to be from Chase and asks for this information, hang up and call Chase directly at the number on your debit card.
If you are expecting a wire from someone you do not know well, ask them to send a small test amount first. If you are receiving a wire as part of a job offer, rental agreement, or investment opportunity, verify the sender's identity through an independent channel before you provide your account information. Scammers often impersonate employers or landlords.
Once a wire is sent, it cannot be stopped or reversed. If you realize you gave your account information to someone fraudulent, contact Chase when ready and ask them to watch your account for suspicious activity. You can also place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to how much money I can receive by wire at Chase?
Chase does not publish a specific limit for incoming wire transfers. However, wires over $10,000 trigger federal reporting requirements, which means Chase will file a Currency Transaction Report with the government. This is routine and legal — it does not mean you did anything wrong. If you are receiving a large wire, let Chase know in advance so they are not surprised by the amount.
Can I receive a wire transfer to a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. The routing number and account number work the same way for both account types. Make sure you give the sender the routing number and account number for the specific account where you want the money to land, because Chase has different numbers for different accounts.
What if the sender's bank says they need my SWIFT code?
SWIFT codes are for international wires only. If the sender is in the United States, tell them you are receiving a domestic wire and they only need your routing number and account number. If the sender is outside the U.S., ask Chase for your SWIFT code — it is usually CHASUS33 followed by a three-letter code for your region, but confirm with Chase to be certain.
Can someone send me a wire transfer if they do not know my name?
No. The sender's bank requires the recipient's name to match the account holder's name. If the names do not match, the wire will be rejected or held for review. Make sure you give the sender your full legal name exactly as it appears on your Chase account.
Do I pay a fee to receive a wire transfer at Chase?
Chase does not charge you a fee to receive a domestic wire transfer. The sender's bank may charge them a fee to send it — typically $15 to $30 — but that is their cost, not yours. International incoming wires may have a small fee from Chase; ask them when you contact them about an expected international wire.