Member Number and Account Number Are Not the Same Thing
Your member number and your account number are two separate identifiers. A member number identifies you as a customer of a bank or credit union. An account number identifies a specific account you hold with that institution — and you may have multiple accounts under one member number.
When you need to receive a refund, the account number is what matters. Banks and payment processors use the account number to deposit money into the right place. If you give someone your member number instead, the deposit will fail or be delayed while the institution figures out which account you meant.
This distinction matters most when you are setting up direct deposit for tax refunds, insurance payouts, or government payments. The IRS, state tax agencies, and other payers need your account number — not your member number — to send money to the right place.
Key Takeaways
- Your member number identifies you as a customer; your account number identifies a specific account you own at that institution.
- You can have one member number but multiple account numbers if you hold a checking account, savings account, and money market account at the same bank.
- Refunds and direct deposits require your account number, not your member number, to reach the correct destination.
- Your account number appears on checks, bank statements, and online banking portals; your member number may only appear on your debit card or account opening documents.
- If you provide the wrong number when setting up direct deposit, the payment will be rejected or sent to the wrong account.
Where to Find Your Account Number
Your account number is printed on the bottom left of your checks, right after the routing number. It is also visible in your online banking portal — usually under account details or account information. If you log into your bank's website or mobile app, the account number appears on the dashboard or in the account summary section.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your account number. Have your member number or Social Security number ready when you call, since the representative will need to verify your identity before sharing account details.
Your member number is less commonly needed for refunds. It typically appears on your debit card, your account opening paperwork, or in your online banking profile under "account information" or "member details." Some banks and credit unions do not display it prominently because it is rarely required for transactions.
Why Refund Systems Ask for Account Number, Not Member Number
The IRS, state tax agencies, and insurance companies use the account number because it is the routing instruction for the actual money. The account number tells the banking system exactly where to send the deposit. Your member number tells the system who you are as a customer, but not where your money should go.
Think of it this way: your member number is like your name in a phone book. Your account number is like your street address. A letter addressed to your name alone might reach you eventually, but a letter addressed to your street address will arrive faster and more reliably.
When you set up direct deposit for a tax refund or other payment, the payer's bank will reject the transaction if you provide only a member number. The system cannot match a member number to a specific account, so the deposit fails and you have to resubmit with the correct account number.
What Happens If You Mix Them Up
If you give a refund processor your member number instead of your account number, the direct deposit will not go through. The payer's system will return an error message, and the refund will be delayed. You will then have to contact the payer (the IRS, your state tax agency, or the insurance company) and provide the correct account number.
The delay can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on how quickly the payer processes the correction. Some agencies allow you to update your banking information online; others require you to call or submit a form by mail.
If the money does somehow reach the wrong account at your bank, contact your bank immediately. Your bank can reverse the deposit and send it to the correct account, but this process also takes time — usually three to five business days.
Credit Unions vs. Banks: Terminology Differences
Credit unions often use the term "member number" more prominently than banks do, because credit union customers are technically members of the cooperative. However, credit unions still use account numbers for deposits and transfers, just like banks.
When a credit union asks for your "member number," they are asking for your customer ID — the number that identifies you as a member of that credit union. When they ask for your "account number," they mean the specific account number, which is separate. The rules are the same: use your account number for direct deposit and refunds.
If you are unsure whether a number is your member number or account number, ask your credit union directly. They can tell you which is which and confirm which one you need for the refund you are expecting.
Double-Checking Your Information Before Submitting
Before you submit your account number to receive a refund, verify it one more time. Write down the account number from your checks or online banking, then compare it to what you are about to submit. A single digit wrong will send the refund to the wrong account or cause the deposit to fail.
Also confirm that you are providing the account number for the account where you want the money to land. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank, make sure you are giving the number for the checking account (or whichever account you want the refund in), not a savings account or money market account.
Some refund forms ask for both your routing number and your account number. Your routing number identifies your bank; your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both are necessary for direct deposit to work correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my member number for direct deposit?
No. Direct deposit requires your account number. Your member number identifies you as a customer but does not tell the banking system which account to deposit into. If you submit only your member number, the deposit will fail.
What if my bank does not show my member number anywhere?
Not all banks display a member number prominently. If you cannot find it, you do not need it for refunds or direct deposit. Your account number is what matters. If a refund processor asks for a member number and you cannot find one, contact your bank to ask whether you have one.
Do I need both my routing number and account number for a tax refund?
Yes. The IRS and state tax agencies need both your routing number (which identifies your bank) and your account number (which identifies your specific account) to deposit your refund correctly. Both numbers appear on the bottom of your checks.
If I have a joint account, is the account number the same for both people?
Yes. A joint account has one account number, even though both account holders can use it. If you and another person share an account, you both use the same account number for direct deposit and transfers.
What should I do if I already submitted my member number instead of my account number?
Contact the organization that is sending the refund (the IRS, your state tax agency, or the insurance company) and provide your correct account number. They can update your banking information and reprocess the deposit. Call their customer service line or check their website for an online update option.