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Emergency

Transferred money to the wrong IBAN? How to get it back

A transposed digit in the IBAN, and the money is with the wrong recipient? Only the IBAN, not the name, is decisive for execution. But you are not powerless: your bank must help you recover it.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

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Your chances of getting your money back

Your bank is obliged to make reasonable efforts to recover the money (§ 675y BGB). It contacts the recipient's bank and asks for a return transfer.
If the recipient does not voluntarily pay back, your bank must, on request, give you their name and address so you can reclaim the amount (and sue if necessary). The recipient is unjustly enriched (§ 812 BGB).

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Inform the bank immediately

    Report the error to your bank right away. The faster you are, the more likely the transfer can still be stopped.

  2. 2

    2. Instruct recovery

    Ask your bank to request a return transfer from the recipient's bank. That is its statutory support duty.

  3. 3

    3. Request recipient data

    If the recipient does not pay back, demand their name and address to pursue the claim yourself.

  4. 4

    4. Reclaim the money

    Demand repayment from the recipient in writing (unjust enrichment, § 812 BGB), and sue if necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Will the bank help me get the money back?

Yes. In case of a faulty transfer (for example, a wrong IBAN), your bank must make reasonable efforts to recover it (§ 675y BGB) and ask the recipient's bank for a return transfer. Report the error as quickly as possible.

What if the recipient wants to keep the money?

Then your bank must, on request, give you the recipient's name and address. The recipient is unjustly enriched (§ 812 BGB) and obliged to repay, which you can enforce in court if necessary.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.