Where Amazon asks for your bank details

Amazon asks for your checking account information in two places: when you set up a payment method for purchases, and when you enroll in Amazon Business or certain seller programs. The most common reason is to add a backup payment method so Amazon can charge your account if your primary card declines.

You can add your checking account through Your Account > Payment Options > Add a payment method. Amazon will ask for your routing number and account number — the same details you would give any merchant for a direct debit. You do not need to provide a voided check or any physical document; Amazon accepts the numbers alone.

The second place is Amazon Pay, which is separate from your main Amazon account. If you use Amazon Pay to check out on another retailer's website, that retailer can ask you to link a checking account instead of a credit card. The setup is similar but happens on the third-party site, not on Amazon itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your routing number comes from the bottom left of your checks or from your bank's website; your account number is the longer number next to it.
  • Amazon verifies your account by making two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your checking account, then asking you to confirm the amounts.
  • The verification process takes three to five business days because the deposits move through the banking system, not when ready.
  • Once verified, Amazon can charge your checking account for purchases, but you can remove it at any time from Payment Options.

Finding your routing and account numbers

Your routing number identifies which bank or credit union holds your account. It is a nine-digit code printed on the bottom left of your checks, before your account number. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app — most banks display both numbers in the Account Details or Account Information section.

Your account number is the longer number (usually 10 to 12 digits) printed on the bottom of your checks, right after the routing number. Some banks also call this your "checking account number" to distinguish it from savings accounts. If your bank offers multiple checking accounts, make sure you are copying the number from the account you want to link to Amazon.

Do not confuse your account number with your card number. Your debit card number is different from your checking account number, even though they are tied to the same account. Amazon needs the account number, not the card number.

The verification process and why it takes time

After you enter your routing and account numbers, Amazon sends two small deposits to your checking account — usually between 1 and 99 cents each. These are real deposits that will appear in your account within three to five business days. Amazon uses the amounts of these deposits to verify that you own the account and that the numbers are correct.

Once the deposits land in your account, you return to Amazon and confirm the two amounts. Amazon checks your answer against what it sent. If the amounts match, your account is verified and Amazon can begin charging it for purchases.

The delay exists because the deposits have to travel through the banking system — the ACH network, which processes transfers between banks. This is not when ready. Weekends and bank holidays add extra days. If your bank is slow to post deposits, verification can stretch to seven business days, though three to five is typical.

What information Amazon stores and how it is protected

Amazon stores your routing number and account number in encrypted form on its servers. The company does not store your full account balance, your PIN, or any other sensitive banking information. When you authorize a charge, Amazon sends a request to the ACH network with your routing and account numbers, and your bank processes the debit on its end.

Your checking account is not directly connected to your Amazon password. If someone gains access to your Amazon account, they can see that a checking account is linked, but they cannot see the full account number — Amazon masks all but the last four digits in your Payment Options view. To actually charge the account, they would need to complete a purchase, which would require your Amazon login.

If you believe your checking account information has been compromised, you can remove the account from Amazon when ready through Payment Options. You can also contact your bank to place a fraud alert or freeze on your account, which would prevent any new charges.

When Amazon charges your checking account

Amazon charges your checking account only when you explicitly choose it as your payment method at checkout. If you have a credit card on file as your primary payment method, Amazon will use that card first. Your checking account is a backup option you select manually, or a default if you have set it as your preferred payment method.

Some Amazon services — like Subscribe & Save renewals or Amazon Prime membership renewals — will charge whichever payment method you designated when you set up the subscription. If you linked your checking account as the payment method for a subscription, Amazon will charge it on the renewal date without asking again.

Amazon does not charge your checking account for holds, pre-authorizations, or pending orders. The charge goes through only when your order ships or, for digital goods, when the purchase is complete. If an order is canceled before shipment, no charge occurs.

Removing your checking account or updating it

You can remove your checking account from Amazon at any time through Your Account > Payment Options. Find the account in your payment methods list, select it, and choose Delete or Remove. Once removed, Amazon cannot charge that account, though the account itself remains open at your bank.

If your checking account number changes — for example, because you closed the account and opened a new one at the same bank — you will need to add the new account and go through verification again. Amazon does not automatically update account numbers if your bank reissues them.

If you want to change which payment method Amazon uses by default, go to Payment Options, select the account you want to prioritize, and choose Set as Default. Amazon will offer this method first at checkout, though you can still choose a different one if you prefer.

Troubleshooting verification delays and failed deposits

If the verification deposits do not appear in your account after seven business days, check that you entered your routing and account numbers correctly. A single digit wrong will send the deposits to the wrong account or cause them to bounce. Return to Amazon and verify the numbers you submitted match what your bank shows.

Some banks flag small ACH deposits as suspicious and hold them temporarily. If you see the deposits pending in your account but not yet posted, wait for them to clear. If they remain pending after 10 business days, contact your bank to ask whether they are being held for review.

If Amazon tells you the amounts you entered do not match the deposits, double-check the exact cent amounts. The deposits are intentionally small and specific — 23 cents and 47 cents, for example — so you must enter them precisely. If you entered them incorrectly, you can start the verification process over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account?

Amazon's payment system is designed for checking accounts, and the form specifically asks for a checking account number. Some banks use the same routing number for both checking and savings, but the account numbers are different. If you enter a savings account number, the verification deposits may fail or go to the wrong account. Use your checking account number.

Is it safe to give Amazon my routing and account numbers?

Routing and account numbers are not secret in the same way a password is — they are printed on every check you write and are visible to anyone you pay. Amazon encrypts these numbers and uses them only to process ACH transfers, the same method your employer uses for direct deposit. The real security comes from your Amazon login, which is what someone would need to actually authorize a charge.

What happens if Amazon charges my account and I did not authorize it?

Contact Amazon customer service when ready and report the unauthorized charge. Amazon can reverse it. You can also contact your bank and file a dispute, which triggers an investigation. Your bank can place a temporary credit in your account while the dispute is being resolved. Keep records of all communication with Amazon about the charge.

How long does it take for a charge to appear after I place an order?

For physical items, Amazon charges your account when the order ships, not when you place it. The charge usually appears in your checking account within one to two business days after shipment. For digital goods or services, the charge goes through when ready. You can see pending charges in your Amazon account under Your Orders before they appear in your bank statement.

Can I link the same checking account to multiple Amazon accounts?

Yes, you can link one checking account to more than one Amazon account. Each account will go through its own verification process with separate test deposits. This is useful if you have a household account and a personal account, or if you manage accounts for a business and yourself.