Identify a Mysterious Bank Account Number

March 23, 2019 11:42 AM

I found some undeposited checks from 2015 which I'd endorsed to a bank account number I don't recognize (no reference to it on my computer or in my email or other records). Since it's possible I did deposit these (via photo deposit) I need to know where to look for evidence before trying to get new checks paid (don't want to fraud anyone!). Account begins "13402"....can that be looked up somewhere/somehow?
posted by Quisp Lover to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Response by poster: Note: this is obviously the account number, not the routing number.
posted by Quisp Lover at 11:49 AM on March 23, 2019

If you're in the US - It is very unlikely you'll be able to find an account with just a number. In the US there's no standardization for how account numbers are generated. So, without an accompanying routing number, it could belong anywhere. You also have to consider all of the electronic (like paypal) and non-traditional (like Green Dot) services that have account numbers attached to them for accounting purposes. It is entirely possible that 2 different accounts from 2 different banks have the same number.
posted by FirstMateKate at 11:56 AM on March 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I was hoping banks used a recognizable prefix for their account #s.

But, anyway, I found an old, retired hard drive, rigged it up and resurrected the encrypted password/account# file, and dug out the info I needed. Turns out Simple.com changed their account numbers a couple years ago, so it was that same account.
posted by Quisp Lover at 12:35 PM on March 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

Some states have websites that allow people to look for unclaimed property such as bank accounts and insurance. This site www.unclaimed.org can help you find them. This page also has helpful information.
posted by euphotic at 11:16 PM on March 26, 2019