The main ways someone sends you money from their checking account

Someone with a checking account can send you money in four main ways: a bank transfer (also called an ACH transfer), a wire transfer, a check, or a peer-to-peer payment app. Which one they use depends on how fast you need the money, whether you have a bank account yourself, and what information you're willing to share with them. Bank transfers are free and take one to three business days. Wire transfers arrive the same day but cost $15 to $50. Checks take five to ten business days to clear. Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or PayPal are instant if both of you have the app, but they work best for smaller amounts.

The person sending the money doesn't need your permission to start the process, but they do need specific information from you — either your bank details, your mailing address, or your username on a payment app. Once they have that, they can initiate the transfer from their own bank's website, mobile app, or by visiting a branch in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank transfers (ACH) are free and take one to three business days, and require your routing number and account number.
  • Wire transfers arrive the same day but cost $15 to $50 and require your bank's name, your full name, and your account number.
  • Checks are free but take five to ten business days to clear after you deposit them.
  • Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App are instant but work best for amounts under $1,000 and require both people to have the app.
  • You should only share your routing and account numbers with people you trust, since that information can be used to pull money from your account as well as send it.

Bank transfers (ACH) — the free option that takes a few days

An ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House) is the most common way to move money between checking accounts. The person sending the money logs into their bank's website or app, selects "send money" or "transfer funds," and enters your routing number and account number. They also enter the amount and the date they want the transfer to happen. Most banks let you schedule a transfer for today or any future date.

The money typically arrives in one to three business days. Some banks offer next-day ACH, but you have to ask your sender's bank whether they offer it — not all do. There is no fee for ACH transfers on either end. The sender's bank might have a daily limit on how much can be transferred at once (often $10,000 to $25,000), so if they're sending you a large amount, they may need to split it across multiple days.

To receive an ACH transfer, you need to give the sender your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (usually eight to twelve digits). You can find both on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank's customer service line. Do not share these numbers with anyone you don't trust — someone with this information can set up automatic withdrawals from your account, not just send money to it.

Wire transfers — same-day money that costs money

A wire transfer moves money from one bank account to another on the same day, usually within a few hours. The sender goes to their bank in person or logs into their online banking and requests a wire transfer. They provide your bank's name, your full name, your account number, and the amount. The bank deducts a wire fee from their account (typically $15 to $50, depending on the bank) and sends the money to your bank.

Wire transfers are faster than ACH transfers but they cost money and they cannot be reversed once sent. If the sender enters the wrong account number or bank name, the money may go to someone else's account, and getting it back is difficult and slow. For this reason, wire transfers are most common for large, one-time payments like down payments on a house or car, not for regular money transfers between friends or family.

To receive a wire transfer, you need to give the sender your bank's name (the full legal name, not just "Chase" or "Bank of America"), your full name as it appears on your account, and your account number. Some banks also ask for a SWIFT code (an international identifier) if the sender's bank is outside the United States, though most domestic wires don't need it.

Checks — the slowest but most familiar method

The sender can write you a check from their checking account and mail it to you or hand it to you in person. You then deposit it at your bank by mobile app, at an ATM, or at a branch. The check takes five to ten business days to clear after you deposit it, depending on your bank and the sender's bank. During that time, the money is not yet in your account — it's in a holding period while the banks verify the check is real and the sender has enough money to cover it.

Checks are free to send and receive. The main drawback is the wait time. If you need the money right away, a check is not the right choice. If the sender's account doesn't have enough money to cover the check when it clears, the check will bounce, and both you and the sender may be charged a fee by your respective banks.

Peer-to-peer payment apps — instant but with limits

Apps like Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle let someone send you money instantly if you both have the app and are connected as contacts. The sender opens the app, searches for your username or phone number, enters the amount, and hits send. The money appears in your app account right away, though moving it to your bank account takes one to three business days.

Most peer-to-peer apps are free to send money to friends and family, though some charge a fee if the sender uses a credit card instead of a bank account or debit card. The apps usually have daily and monthly limits on how much you can send or receive — often $1,000 to $5,000 per day, depending on the app and how long you've had the account. These apps work best for splitting rent, paying back a friend, or sending money to family, not for large transfers.

To receive money through a peer-to-peer app, you need to download the app, create an account (usually with your phone number or email), and link a bank account or debit card. Once you're set up, you can share your username or phone number with the sender, and they can send you money without needing your bank account details.

What information to share and what to keep private

Different payment methods require different information. For ACH transfers and wire transfers, you must share your routing number and account number — information that appears on your checks. For peer-to-peer apps, you only need to share your username or phone number, which is much safer. For checks, you only need to share your mailing address.

Never share your PIN, password, or the full card number on the back of your debit card with anyone, even if they say they need it to send you money. Legitimate payment methods never require this information. If someone claims they need your PIN or password to send you money, they are trying to scam you.

What to do if the money doesn't arrive

If you're expecting a bank transfer or wire transfer and it doesn't show up within the promised timeframe, contact your bank first. Give them the sender's name, the amount, and the date the transfer was supposed to arrive. Your bank can look up the transaction and tell you whether it's still in progress, whether it was sent to the wrong account, or whether it failed for another reason.

If the transfer was sent to the wrong account by mistake, your bank can sometimes recall it, but this is not may provide. If a check doesn't arrive after two weeks, ask the sender to stop payment on the original check and send a new one. If money was sent through a peer-to-peer app and you don't see it, check whether the sender actually completed the transaction — sometimes people think they sent money when they only drafted it and didn't hit send.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone send me money if I don't have a bank account?

Yes, but your options are limited. Someone can mail you a check, send you money through a peer-to-peer app (if you create an account), or wire money to you if you have access to a bank account temporarily. You cannot receive an ACH transfer without a bank account. If you need to receive money regularly, opening a checking account is the most straightforward option.

Is it safe to give someone my routing and account number?

It is safe to give this information to someone you trust, since it's printed on every check you write. However, someone with your routing and account number can set up automatic withdrawals from your account, not just send money to it. Only share this information with people you know and trust. If you're concerned about a transaction, contact your bank immediately.

How long does it take for money to show up in my account?

It depends on the method. Peer-to-peer apps are instant. Wire transfers arrive the same day. ACH transfers take one to three business days. Checks take five to ten business days to clear. The sender can tell you which method they're using, and you can ask your bank whether they offer faster processing for ACH transfers.

What if the sender doesn't have enough money in their account?

If they send an ACH transfer or wire transfer and don't have enough money, the transfer will fail and the money won't leave their account. They'll be notified by their bank. If they send a check and don't have enough money, the check will bounce when it clears, and both of you may be charged a fee. If they send money through a peer-to-peer app without enough funds, the app will decline the transaction.

Can I cancel a transfer after someone sends me money?

No. Once money arrives in your account, it belongs to you. If the sender made a mistake or wants the money back, they would need to ask you to return it — the bank cannot force you to send it back. If you received money by mistake, contact the sender and your bank to figure out the best way to return it.