# Understanding and Protecting Your Bank Account Number

![Bank Account Number](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/gsq1wR0M0ASVijyglV0evxkkg7U=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/account-number.asp-FINAL-887f9ae4a2eb402e9d4beeaa55f29ca5.png)

*— Joules Garcia / Investopedia*

> **Definition**
>
> A bank account number is a unique set of digits used to identify and access a particular bank account.

## What Is a Bank Account Number?

A bank account number is a unique string of numbers that identifies a particular bank account and grants access to it. There may be instances where letters or other characters are a part of the account number. The bank account number is the middle set of numbers at the bottom of a paper check. This is one of the most important numbers for doing business transactions.

Bank account numbers are vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. To keep the account number safe, security measures like multifactor authentication and password managers are used.  

### Key Takeaways

*   Bank account numbers are crucial identifiers that work with routing numbers to facilitate the correct processing of transactions.
*   With the advent of online banking, protecting your bank account numbers against identity theft and fraud is vital, using strategies like multifactor authentication.
*   Your bank account number can be found on a paper check between the routing number and the check number, or on your bank statement.
*   Safeguarding your bank account number is essential as financial fraud has become more sophisticated, demanding robust password practices and security measures.  
    

## Understanding How Bank Account Numbers Function

A bank [checking account](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/checkingaccount.asp)’s number is located at the bottom of the [paper check](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/112515/top-5-reasons-banks-wont-cash-your-check.asp). At the bottom of the check, you'll see three sets of numbers in a computer-readable font:  

*   The first set of numbers on the left is the nine-digit bank routing number.
*   The middle numbers are your account number.
*   The third number set is the number of the check.

Payroll processing offices use checking account numbers to set up [direct deposit](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/directdeposit.asp) payments for employees.

## Essential Tips for Safeguarding Your Bank Account Number

Bank account numbers are vulnerable to [identity theft](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/identitytheft.asp) and [fraud](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fraud.asp). This is why you have to answer questions about your mother’s maiden name when you try to make routine changes to an account like your bank account. Recently, password managers and [multifactor authentication (MFA)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/twofactor-authentication-2fa.asp) systems have made it harder for hackers to steal account numbers.

Businesses now often employ a hard-to-hack master password to unlock an electronic vault of customers’ bank account numbers and other sensitive data. Consumers are getting used to multifactor authentication, which adds another step, like a fingerprint or a time-sensitive code sent to your phone, before accessing a bank account.

These are just some of the means of protecting users’ bank account numbers in an increasingly vulnerable online environment.

> **Important**
>
> The traditional check layout applies to most personal checks, but some business checks and bank-printed checks have other formats.

## Bank Account Numbers vs. Routing Numbers: What’s the Difference?

On a paper check, the nine-digit [routing number](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/routing_transit_number.asp) identifies specific financial institutions within the United States. The number identifies the check as having been issued by a federal- or state-chartered bank that maintains an account with the [Federal Reserve](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/federal-reserve.asp).

This system dates back to 1910 and was developed initially as a way to help bank clerks sort through piles of checks and assign them to the correct drawer. Today, electronic services use routing numbers for [wire transfers](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wiretransfer.asp) to ensure payments go to the right institution.

The individual’s bank account number works together with the routing number to identify the right account holder at the right institution.

## Finding Your Bank Account Number: A Quick Guide

You can find your bank account number on your monthly [bank statement](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bank-statement.asp) or by visiting a [branch of your bank](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/branch-banking.asp).

If you are using a checking account, the account number is also printed on your paper checks. You can find it printed between the bank’s routing number and the check number, as shown below.

![Image](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/n9lkkHScUYvcw9jGCTih43DDD7s=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dotdash_Final_Routing_Number_vs_Account_Number_Whats_the_Difference_Aug_20202-5d1e68ee4bba4714baace78ea019ee12.jpg)

**

## How Do You Find the Account Number on a Check?

You can find your bank account number printed at the bottom of your paper check. This is the second sequence of numbers, printed between the nine-digit routing number and the shorter check number. This number can also be found on your account statement.

## How Long Is a Bank Account Number?

A bank account number is usually eight to 12 digits long, but some account numbers have up to 17 digits. Note that this is not the same as your debit card number or credit card number.

## How Do You Find Out Your Account Number?

You can find your bank account number on your bank statements, printed at the bottom of a paper check, or by logging on to the bank’s website. If you can’t find it in these ways, try visiting a bank branch in person.

## The Bottom Line

The unique and critical roles of a bank account number are managing financial transactions, identifying bank accounts, and facilitating payments and deposits. To ensure proper account management, it's important to understand how bank account numbers work, including identifying them on checks and bank statements.

There are vulnerabilities associated with bank account numbers in online environments, calling for the need for robust security measures to prevent identity theft and fraud. Ways to protect bank account numbers include using multifactor authentication, strong passwords, and being vigilant about sharing sensitive information. Protecting one's bank account number is essential for securing personal financial information in today's digital age.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  American Bankers Association. “[ABA Routing Number™](https://www.aba.com/about-us/routing-number).”
>     
> 2.  U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. “[Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/multi-factor-authentication-mfa).” Download PDF.
>     
> 3.  American Bankers Association. “[Routing Number Policy & Procedures](https://www.aba.com/news-research/analysis-guides/routing-number-policy-procedures#:~:text=The%20routing%20number%2C%20devised%20by,payment%20of%20a%20negotiable%20instrument.).”
>     
> 4.  Chase. “[What Is a Bank Account Number?](https://www.chase.com/personal/banking/education/basics/bank-account-number)”