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A new way to check who you’re paying

Sending money using just a sort code and account number can be a nerve-wrecking experience, especially as many payments go to the payee’s account within seconds.

So we’re launching a new service called Confirmation of Payee (CoP) that will ask you for their name as well. Participating banks will match it against the actual name on their account and provide you with a response.

This is one of the many ways in which we’re working to keep you safe from fraud.

When you’re about to send a payment using CoP, you’ll:

  • Enter the payee’s full name (or trading name)
  • Select whether the account is a personal or business account
  • Key in the sort code, account number and any reference you wish to add

When you’ve entered these details, you’ll get one of the results below.
Result What this means What you can do Fraud advice
Yes, it’s a match You’ve got the payee’s account details exactly right. Confirm the payment.

If you have received their account details by letter, email or text message, we recommend you phone the payee (using a number you know is genuine) to check everything’s OK before sending any money.
Close match

The payee’s name you’ve entered is similar to what their bank’s records say, but doesn’t match exactly.

It could also be that you’ve said a personal account is a business one, or a business account is a personal account.

We will provide the name on the account and recommend you phone the payee (using a number you know is genuine) to check everything’s OK before sending any money.

 Be careful that any differences are only minor. If they’re more fundamental, think twice before confirming the payment.
No match The details you’ve entered don’t match your payee’s.

We strongly recommend that you check and confirm the correct details with the payee before making the payment.

Phone them using a number you know is genuine and not by replying to an email or text message.

When this happens, stop immediately. Think about how you received these account details and why you’re sending this money.

Don’t send money until you’re comfortable that you’re paying who you expect to. If you choose to proceed we may not be able to retrieve the money.

Read about common scams and fraud, on our Keep it Safe page.
Unable to check account

We haven’t been able to check the payee’s account details. This could happen, for example, if their bank isn’t using CoP checks yet.

We strongly recommend that you check and confirm the correct details with the payee before making the payment.

Phone them using a number you know is genuine and not by replying to an email or text message.

Although some financial institutions have not signed up to the CoP scheme yet, you should continue to be careful when transferring money.

Only send funds to someone you know and have been able to verbally confirm account details with.

If you’re receiving a payment

Likewise, if you’re about to receive a payment it’s good to be able to reassure the sender that it’s you getting the money and not someone else. Make sure the name on your account is correct and up to date.

Confirmation of Payee FAQs

  • New payments, or an amendment to an existing payment made through Faster Payments or CHAPS (BACS, Direct Debit, direct credits, bulk and batch payments aren’t supported at this stage).

  • We’re already responding to requests sent by other banks for payments you’re receiving. We’re also requesting CoP checks for payments you’re sending to other banks when you use our mobile banking app; eBanking; District; call centre or branches.

    It only applies to payments made in pounds sterling.

  • Not straight away, but most UK banks will be ready for CoP at the start of 2020 including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, RBS and Santander. If you try to send a payment to someone whose bank is not yet registered for CoP you may get an alert to tell you.

  • Unfortunately not, but it’s an extra safeguard against it. Remember the bank, the police, HMRC or any other legitimate organisation will never ask you to transfer money from your account to keep it safe, but a criminal would. Just because the account name matches does not mean it might not be a scam. For more information about fraud prevention have a look at our Keep it Safe page.

  • No – you can still send payments even if you’re warned that your payee’s details don’t match. But please be aware that if you decide to continue with the payment without checking the payee’s details, we may not be able to recover the money you sent if it goes to the wrong person.

    No payments will be made automatically. Even when the name matches, you will always be required to confirm that you want to proceed with the payment.

  • Yes – although you’ll be automatically opted in to CoP, you can opt out if there is a legitimate reason for doing so. In order for us to consider your request please print, complete and post to Danske Bank, CoP Opt-Out Team, 5th Floor, Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JS the following application form.

    It can take up to 30 calendar days from receipt of the form to complete the review and make a decision. If your application is successful we will Opt you out based on the information provided, you can opt back in at any stage by following the steps above, checking the Opt in box and returning to our dedicated team.

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