# Fees for transferring money **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318 "2022-12-11T04:05:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/1 "2022-12-11T04:05:46Z")
A woman on twitter said she has a security bank account, and will donate a small amount to my bank. She thinks the transfer will engender a fee, possibly from my bank. This doesn’t sound legit. Is it? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/2 "2022-12-11T04:20:14Z")
What the hell is a security bank account and why does this stranger want to put money in your bank(account?)? Red flags all over the place. How did she contact you? Do you have a text, tweet or email you can copy/paste? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/3 "2022-12-11T04:21:19Z")
I found her on twitter. I have all her e mails. I expressed a need for financial help. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/4 "2022-12-11T04:29:57Z")
That phrase “security bank account” and speculating there might be a fee is sus as hell. Forget it. She’s a scammer. If you want to get help from strangers, set up a GoFundMe. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/5 "2022-12-11T04:31:19Z")
I have a cashapp. She said the bank couldn’t send it there. I only gave her my routing number, which I give my employers to deposit my checks. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/6 "2022-12-11T04:39:32Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I have a cashapp. She said the bank couldn’t send it there. I only gave her my routing number, which I give my employers to deposit my checks. - Call your bank and lock down your account NOW. Cut off all contact with that woman. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/7 "2022-12-11T04:42:20Z")
No legitimate bank will offer to give money to a random stranger on Twitter. In fact, saying you need financial help will be an instant refusal from a bank. YOU ARE NOT DEALING WITH A BANK. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/8 "2022-12-11T04:47:22Z")
Ok. I told her not to contact me anymore. I dont know how to lock my account. Its the weekend. It does say I have no accounts that can be transferred. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/9 "2022-12-11T04:47:38Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I have a cashapp. She said the bank couldn’t send it there. I only gave her my routing number, which I give my employers to deposit my checks. You also (presumably) give your employer your SSN and home address. Would you give either of these to a random stranger on the internet? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/10 "2022-12-11T04:49:06Z")
No. I thought my routing number only lets people, employers, enter money. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/11 "2022-12-11T04:59:04Z")
It’s essentially bank branch and account number. Legit businesses also use it to create automatic monthly withdrawals - I assume with the right setup, a not-so-legit business can allow your account to “make a payment” to themselves. Not sure what safeguards the bank has, but yes talk to the bank ASAP. (Do you have a debit card for the bank? Does it have a 24-hour help line printed on it? Try that.) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/12 "2022-12-11T04:59:16Z")
Call up the bank’s customer service number (on the back of your bank card if you have one). Tell them what happened what information you gave this person, they will tell you what if any action you should take and help you take those actions. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/13 "2022-12-11T04:59:50Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Call up the bank’s customer service number Beat you by 3 seconds. Good advice… ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/14 "2022-12-11T05:00:16Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/15 "2022-12-11T05:08:01Z")
Cannot talk to any live customer service rep. My account says I cant transfer money. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/16 "2022-12-11T06:29:59Z")
The nine-digit routing number identifies the bank. You would need to _also_ have the specific account number (I’ve seen anywhere from 5 to 14 digits) to do any sort of transfer. (I’ve worked in several financial call centers and have done things like take payments and set up EFT by phone for callers.) ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/17 "2022-12-11T09:35:09Z")
I’m going to take some out by atm today so even If they try to, there won’t be much there. Of course its a Sunday so I can’t contact the bank. I do have account with planet fitness, who take out 10 a month, but I signed up for that legitimately. She said the bank had to wait til Monday and they’d e mail me. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/18 "2022-12-11T12:18:53Z")
I’ve used legitimate bank transfers for years and never paid any fee. I agree this is a scam and you should contact your bank asap. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/19 "2022-12-11T12:37:25Z")
Nobody can take money out of your account simply by having a routing number. Checks still have both the routing number and account number prominently displayed at the bottom. It takes more than just those numbers for a withdrawal. Try taking an unsigned check to a bank and cashing it. “Oh, but I have the account and routing number! Give me all the money in the account!” :rolleyes: There’s nothing to freak out about. You don’t need to close your accounts, call you bank or remove your money. Jeesuz. The advice to avoid further communication from that scammer is sound, though. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318/20 "2022-12-11T13:08:31Z")
I think you CAN take money out of a bank with the information in the bottom of a check. A lot of people won’t use checks for this reason. The bank should have a 24/7 fraud line, and that’s who I’d be trying to contact. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fees-for-transferring-money/976318.md?page=2)