When and how to give someone your bank account information
You need to share your bank account details when someone is sending you money — a paycheck from your employer, a payment from a customer, a refund, or money from family. The key is knowing what information is actually safe to share and what you should keep private.
The safest information to share is your routing number and account number. These two pieces let someone deposit money into your account. Your routing number identifies which bank you use — it's a nine-digit code that's the same for everyone at your bank. Your account number is unique to you and identifies your specific account. Together, they're what's printed on the bottom left of your checks, and they're what you give to your employer for direct deposit.
What you should never share is your PIN (personal identification number), your online banking password, or the three-digit security code on the back of your debit card. These let someone take money out of your account or spend from it. If someone asks for these, they're either trying to scam you or they don't understand banking — legitimate businesses never ask for them.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number and account number are safe to share when someone needs to send you money or set up direct deposit.
- Never share your PIN, online password, or the security code on the back of your debit card with anyone, including your bank.
- If you're sending money to someone else, ask them for their routing and account number — you don't need anything else.
- Check with your bank if you're unsure whether a request for information is legitimate before you share anything.
Finding your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number appear on the bottom of every check you have. Look at the left side of the bottom line. The first set of numbers (usually nine digits) is your routing number. The second set (usually ten to twelve digits) is your account number.
If you don't have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your online banking account. Most banks display them in an account summary or settings section. You can also call your bank's customer service number — it's on the back of your debit card — and ask them to read the numbers to you over the phone.
Some banks also print these numbers on your debit card itself, though not all do. If your card shows them, you can read them directly without needing to access anything else.
Sharing details for direct deposit from your employer
Direct deposit is when your employer puts your paycheck straight into your bank account instead of giving you a paper check. To set this up, you'll give your employer your routing number and account number. That's all they need.
Your employer will usually ask you to fill out a form called a direct deposit authorization form or sometimes an ACH form (ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, which is the system that moves money between banks). Write your routing and account number on this form, sign it, and return it. Once it's processed — usually within one or two pay periods — your paychecks will go directly to your account.
Keep a copy of the form you signed for your records. If there's ever a problem with your deposit, you'll have proof of what you authorized.
Sharing details when someone is paying you
If a customer, client, or family member wants to send you money, give them your routing number and account number. They may ask for this information in person, by email, or over the phone — all of these are normal.
Before you share, make sure you're actually talking to the person you think you are. If someone emails asking for your account details, reply to them through a channel you know is real — call them back at a number you already have, or message them through a social media account you recognize. Scammers sometimes pretend to be people you know.
Once you've confirmed who you're talking to, it's safe to share your routing and account number by email, text, or phone. They'll use this information to send money through their bank, and the money will land in your account within one to three business days.
What information you should never share
Your PIN is a four-digit code you use at ATMs and sometimes in stores to prove the card belongs to you. Your bank will never ask for this. Neither will a legitimate business. If someone asks for your PIN, hang up or walk away — this is a scam.
Your online banking password is what you use to log into your bank's website or app. Never share this with anyone, including bank employees. Your bank will never ask for it. If someone claiming to be from your bank asks for your password, they are not from your bank.
The security code on the back of your debit card (usually three digits) is only for card payments. It proves you physically have the card. Never share this number, even if someone says they're from your bank or a store where you shop.
Your Social Security number is different from your account number. You may need to give your Social Security number when you first open an account, but you should never share it for routine banking. If someone asks for it, confirm you're talking to your actual bank before you give it.
Recognizing when a request is not legitimate
Scammers often call or email pretending to be your bank or a company you do business with. They'll create a sense of urgency — saying your account is locked, or there's fraud, or you need to act right now. Then they ask for information like your PIN, password, or account number.
Real banks and companies never ask for sensitive information this way. If you get a call or email asking for your PIN, password, or security code, it's a scam. Hang up or delete the message.
If you're not sure whether a request is real, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Don't use a phone number from the email or call — call the number you already know is correct. Ask them whether they contacted you. They'll tell you the truth.
Sharing account details with a trusted family member
Sometimes you might want to give a family member access to your account — for example, an adult child managing finances for an aging parent, or a spouse who needs to pay bills. There are safer ways to do this than just sharing your account number.
The safest option is to add them as an authorized user or joint account holder. This means going to your bank and officially adding them to the account. They'll get their own debit card and online access, and the bank will have a record of who has permission. If something goes wrong, the bank knows who to investigate.
If you just give someone your account number, routing number, and PIN, they have access but the bank has no record that you authorized them. If they take money without permission, it's harder to prove it was theft rather than you giving permission.
Talk to your bank about the options. Some banks make it straightforward to add someone temporarily, and some let you set limits on what an authorized user can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to share my account number by email?
Yes, as long as you're sure you're emailing the right person. Your account number alone can't be used to take money out — someone would also need your PIN or online password, which you never share. Before you email your account number, confirm the recipient's email address by calling them or checking a document you already have.
What if I accidentally shared my PIN or password?
Contact your bank when ready, even if it's after hours. Call the number on the back of your debit card or on your statement. Tell them what you shared and when. They can change your password right away and watch your account for suspicious activity. The faster you call, the better.
Can someone steal money with just my account number?
Not directly. They would need your PIN, password, or security code to access your account or make a card payment. Your account number alone is safe to share — it's designed to receive deposits, not to send money out. However, if you've also shared your PIN or password, contact your bank when ready.
Do I need to share my full account number, or can I give just part of it?
You need to give the full account number for direct deposit or wire transfers to work correctly. However, for your own security, you can write it down and hand it to someone in person rather than saying it out loud, or send it through a find message rather than email if the option exists.
What should I do if someone asks for my account details over the phone and I'm not sure who they are?
Hang up. Tell them you'll call them back at a number you already have. Then call that number yourself — don't use the number they gave you. If they're legitimate, they'll be in the system and the person who answers will confirm they tried to reach you. If they're a scammer, no one will have any record of them.