Giving Customers Bank Details So They Can Pay Using Internet Banking ...

[Jonno28]

Hi, I have recently started up as a self employed tradesman. If a customer asks for my bank details so that they can log onto their internet banking and transfer payment to my bank account, is it safe to do this? Could anyone actually do anything with my sort code, account number?? Thanks

[Barmaid]

I'm not sure whether anyone can actually "do" anything with the details, but I have direct payments into my account and I've had no problems so far.

[sherrardk]

Lots of business operate using this method and it's cheaper than having your own debit card reader (and far better than a cheque).

[bednobs]

yes, they could pay you. It's no more dangerous than giving someone a cheque (which has the above details on anyway)

[ChuckFickens]

very unlikely, but technically it could be possible (although pretty traceable as to where the money went, unless somebody went to a huge amount of effort for what would probably be a amount of money that wasn't worth it)

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/jeremy-clarksons-bank-account-hacked-to-prove-a-point/

If you're worried and just want peace of mind setup a second account to accept payments into and keep the amount of funds in that account low.

[Jonno28]

Thanks everyone, that's put my mind at rest!

[Sycamore3House]

I pay suppliers via this method due to bank charges. Electronic transactions on my business account are free. Where if I wrote a cheque there would be a charge. Also if you are receiving payments there is no worry about whether the cheque will bounce or not as the funds show on your balance immediately.