Should I go into bank branch to send over a large amount of money?

9 comments

1. Should go without saying but ffs make sure it isnt a scam

2. If you decide to do it yourself make sure you are 100% sure you have the account and sort code correct. In fact even if you get the bank to do it they’ll usually get you to confirm what they’ve typed is correct (in my experience anyway). You can even send a small amount first then the balance once the solicitor has confirmed they have it in their account. A typo in the account number or sort code could be disastrous and take ages to sort.

3. We always do a small test transfer first. Say £10.

   Call up and confirm they got it, then do the balance. Always feels much safer that way.

4. I recently online transferred £20k from one bank to another bank, both my own accounts in the two banks.

   This amount was over the source bank’s regular max transfer value so I had to pay for a CHAPS payment and even then, the source bank’s antifraud department called to confirm that I wasn’t under duress before they would agree to rekey the transfer.

   I admit that it was stressful making sure that the target account number and sort code were right before pressing the button.

   What level of risk are you comfortable with?

5. It’ll be fine online. We sent our deposit over online. It tells you the account is a match before you send now anyway. Send a small amount first and get them to confirm they have it if it’ll make you more comfortable.

6. When I went to the bank to do this they said that they just do it online anyway, but like they’re behind the counter. It’s the same mechanism (fast transfer). The other way (can’t remember the name, but it’s the traditional way) would have cost me £25 in fees I think and would have taken a day or two. Lloyds.

7. In branch it’s more likely to go through without triggering the online fraud detector, and if it triggers the branch fraud detector then you are there already so can sort it out.

   But £15k is not that large.

8. I did when I bought my house, precisely because I wanted an extra set of eyes on it. Did a test transfer before as well. The bank clerk checked it over like 5 times before sending, reading it out to me each time, showing me the screen etc. It just felt a little safer that way.

9. As long as you’re happy that you’ve got the right details then online is fine. It won’t be any safer or easier to do it in a branch