Making transfers at convenience store ATMs is easy and convenient, but if you mistakenly enter the wrong account number or name for the transfer destination, it can lead to a serious situation. The procedure to recover mistakenly transferred funds is called “Kumimodoshi” (組戻し – fund recall).
This article explains in detail what you should do first if you mistake the transfer destination at a convenience store ATM, what the fund recall procedure entails, the specific steps, estimated fees and time required, and important points and risks. It also introduces preventive measures to avoid transfer mistakes in the future.
- What to Do If You Realize You Made a Transfer Mistake at a Convenience Store ATM
- What is “Kumimodoshi” (Fund Recall)? Basics of the Relief Procedure for Transfer Mistakes
- Process for Fund Recall When You Mistake the Transfer Destination at a Convenience Store ATM
- Estimated Fees and Time Required for the Fund Recall Procedure
- Important Points and Risks in the Fund Recall Procedure
- Important Point 1: Fund Recall Is Not Always Successful
- Important Point 2: Transfer Fees Are Not Refunded
- Important Point 3: The Success Rate of Fund Recall Tends to Decrease Over Time
- Important Point 4: Risk of Double Transfer (If You Re-transfer to the Correct Destination Before Fund Recall)
- Legal Procedures (Claim for Unjust Enrichment, etc.) May Be Necessary in Some Cases
- Preventive Measures to Avoid Transfer Mistakes at Convenience Store ATMs
- Read Screen Instructions Carefully and Double-Check Input During Transfer Operations
- Accurately Note Down Recipient Information in Advance and Verify During Input
- If Possible, Use a Transfer Card or Registered Payee Information
- Always Re-Check the Details on the Final Confirmation Screen Before Executing the Transfer
- Always Take the ATM Transaction Statement Slip, Immediately Check its Contents, and Store It
- (Reference) About Errors When the Recipient Account Does Not Exist
What to Do If You Realize You Made a Transfer Mistake at a Convenience Store ATM
If you realize you’ve made a mistake with the transfer destination, first, stay calm and take the following actions. A prompt response increases the possibility of recovering your funds.
Initial Actions Differ Depending on Whether It’s Immediately After the Transfer or Some Time Has Passed
The initial actions to take differ slightly depending on whether you noticed the mistake immediately after completing the transfer operation or after some time had passed.
- Immediately after: If the transfer process is still in progress (while the ATM screen shows “Processing,” etc.), there’s a very slim chance you might be able to cancel it using the ATM’s cancel button, but don’t count on it. Basically, you’ll need to deal with it after completion.
- After some time has passed: The transfer process has likely already completed, and the funds may have been deposited into the recipient’s account, so you need to proceed to the next step promptly.
Secure the Transaction Statement Slip (Receipt) from the Convenience Store ATM
The transaction statement slip (receipt) issued when you make a transfer at a convenience store ATM is very important evidence. It contains the date and time of the transfer, the location of the ATM used, the transfer amount, and the mistakenly entered recipient information. Keep it safe, as it will be necessary for the fund recall procedure.
Confirm the Contact Information of the Financial Institution (Your Bank) Used for the Transfer
The fund recall procedure is carried out through the financial institution (bank) whose account you used as the source of the transfer. Confirm the phone number of that bank’s call center, the location of the nearest branch, etc., and prepare to contact or visit them. Note that this is not the company operating the convenience store ATM (such as Seven Bank).
What is “Kumimodoshi” (Fund Recall)? Basics of the Relief Procedure for Transfer Mistakes
The procedure to recover mistakenly transferred funds is “Kumimodoshi” (fund recall). Let’s understand its basic content.
Definition and Purpose of Fund Recall (Request for Return of Transferred Funds)
Fund recall is a procedure where the remitter, who has made a transfer with incorrect details, requests the recipient’s financial institution to return the transferred funds after obtaining the recipient’s consent. It is merely a “request” and not something that can forcibly recover the funds.
Overview of Cases Where Fund Recall Is Possible and Not Possible
A fund recall may be successful if several conditions are met.
Recipient’s Consent Is Generally Required
The most important thing is that the recipient who mistakenly received the funds agrees to return them. If the recipient refuses to return the funds, the fund recall through the financial institution will generally be unsuccessful.
Difficulty if Funds Have Already Been Withdrawn, etc.
If the funds have already been withdrawn from the incorrect recipient’s account, if the account balance is insufficient, or if the account has been seized, the fund recall will be difficult even if the recipient agrees, as it is physically impossible to recover the funds.
Difference from Canceling a Scheduled Transfer
If you had scheduled a transfer (setting a transfer for a future date), in many cases, you can “cancel” the reservation itself via online banking or at a branch counter until the day before the transfer execution date. This is different from a fund recall and generally does not incur a fee. This differs from the current topic of “a mistake in a transfer that has already been executed.”
Process for Fund Recall When You Mistake the Transfer Destination at a Convenience Store ATM
What is the actual process for a fund recall if you mistake the transfer destination at a convenience store ATM?
Step 1: Contact and Consult Your Financial Institution (Your Bank)
First, contact the bank whose account you used as the source of the transfer as soon as possible, inform them that you made a mistake with the transfer destination, and consult with them.
Request by Phone or at the Counter
Many banks accept fund recall requests by phone or at the counter. In an emergency, it’s best to first explain the situation over the phone and seek instructions. You will then typically be asked to visit a branch for the formal procedure.
Information to Provide (Transfer Date/Time, Amount, Incorrect Recipient Information, Correct Recipient Information, etc.)
When contacting them, prepare the following information so you can convey it accurately. Having the ATM transaction statement slip on hand will make things smoother.
- Remitter’s name, account number
- Date and time of transfer
- Location of the convenience store ATM used (e.g., XX Convenience Store YY Branch)
- Transfer amount
- Name of the financial institution, branch name, account type, account number, and recipient name of the incorrect destination
- (If known) Correct transfer destination information that should have been used
Step 2: Fill Out and Submit the Fund Recall Request Form
Follow the bank’s instructions to fill out and submit the prescribed documents, such as a “Fund Recall Request Form.”
Required Documents (Identification, Registered Seal, Passbook, Transfer Statement Slip, etc.)
The following items are generally required for the procedure. This may vary by bank, so check in advance.
- Cash card or passbook of the source account
- Registered seal
- Identification documents such as a driver’s license or My Number Card
- Convenience store ATM transaction statement slip
Step 3: Contacting the Recipient and Confirming Consent (via Financial Institutions)
Your bank will contact the financial institution of the incorrect recipient (the bank holding the recipient’s account) and convey the fund recall request. Then, the bank holding the recipient’s account will confirm the recipient’s willingness to return the funds. This communication takes place between financial institutions, so you do not need to negotiate directly with the incorrect recipient (their contact information is usually not disclosed).
Step 4: Fund Return and Notification of Results
If the recipient agrees to the refund and there are sufficient funds in the account for a refund, the funds will be returned to your account. You will be notified by your bank of the outcome, whether the fund recall was successful or unsuccessful.
Estimated Fees and Time Required for the Fund Recall Procedure
You need to understand that the fund recall procedure involves fees and takes time.
Typical Fund Recall Fees (Vary by Financial Institution)
When requesting a fund recall, you will need to pay a prescribed fee to your bank. The amount of the fee varies by financial institution, generally ranging from several hundred yen to around a thousand yen.
Note: Fees May Be Incurred Even If the Fund Recall Is Unsuccessful
Importantly, even if the fund recall is unsuccessful (the funds are not returned), this fund recall fee is generally not refunded. It’s best to think of it as a fee for the procedure itself.
Estimated Time Required for the Fund Recall Procedure
The time it takes for a fund recall to complete cannot be stated definitively. It may be completed in a few days if things go quickly, but if communication with the recipient is not smooth or if the recipient does not agree to the refund immediately, it can take several weeks to over a month.
Varies Greatly Depending on the Recipient’s Cooperation
If the recipient agrees to the refund immediately and has sufficient funds in their account, the procedure will proceed relatively quickly. However, if the recipient is unavailable, difficult to contact, or reluctant to refund, it will take longer.
Important Points and Risks in the Fund Recall Procedure
Fund recall is not always a perfect solution. Understand a few important points and risks.
Important Point 1: Fund Recall Is Not Always Successful
This is the most important point. Even if you request a fund recall, the funds may not be returned for the following reasons.
Cases Where the Recipient Does Not Agree to a Refund or Cannot Be Contacted
If the recipient, while aware that the funds were mistakenly transferred, refuses to refund them, or if they cannot be contacted at all (unknown address, disconnected phone, etc.), fund recall through financial institutions is difficult.
Cases Where the Incorrect Recipient’s Account Has Been Closed or Has No Balance
If the account to which the funds were mistakenly transferred has already been closed, has no balance, or has been seized for other debts, the funds cannot be recovered.
Important Point 2: Transfer Fees Are Not Refunded
The transfer fee paid at the time of the mistaken transfer will not be refunded, even if the fund recall is successful. This is because the transfer procedure itself is considered to have been performed correctly.
Important Point 3: The Success Rate of Fund Recall Tends to Decrease Over Time
If you notice a transfer mistake, it is important to start the fund recall procedure as soon as possible. The more time passes, the higher the possibility that funds will be withdrawn from the incorrect recipient’s account or the recipient’s situation will change, and the success rate of the fund recall tends to decrease.
Important Point 4: Risk of Double Transfer (If You Re-transfer to the Correct Destination Before Fund Recall)
If you need to send money to the original recipient urgently, you might re-transfer to the correct account without waiting for the outcome of the fund recall. However, if the fund recall is also successful, you will end up paying twice. This risk must also be considered, and a careful decision made.
Legal Procedures (Claim for Unjust Enrichment, etc.) May Be Necessary in Some Cases
If the fund recall is unsuccessful and the recipient is clearly considered to have been unjustly enriched (e.g., refusing to return the funds despite knowing it was a mistaken transfer), you may eventually need to consult a lawyer and consider legal means to demand the return of the funds through civil litigation (such as a lawsuit for the return of unjust enrichment). However, this will incur further time and expense.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Transfer Mistakes at Convenience Store ATMs
Fund recall takes time and effort and is not always successful. The most important thing is to prevent transfer mistakes from happening in the first place.
Read Screen Instructions Carefully and Double-Check Input During Transfer Operations
Read each instruction displayed on the ATM screen carefully and proceed with the operation without rushing. Pay extremely close attention when entering the following information:
Financial Institution Name, Branch Name, Account Type, Account Number, Recipient Name
Even a single incorrect character in this information can cause a mistaken transfer. Account numbers and recipient names in Katakana are particularly prone to errors.
Accurately Note Down Recipient Information in Advance and Verify During Input
Write down the recipient’s information accurately on paper beforehand or enter it into a smartphone memo function, and verify it character by character while entering it at the ATM. Relying on memory alone is risky.
If Possible, Use a Transfer Card or Registered Payee Information
If you have transferred to the recipient before, using a transfer card issued by the bank or registering them as a payee at the ATM or via online banking can help prevent input errors.
Always Re-Check the Details on the Final Confirmation Screen Before Executing the Transfer
Many ATMs display a final confirmation screen showing a list of the entered recipient information and amount just before executing the transfer. Do not take this screen lightly; always meticulously check that all items are correct, as if you were pointing at each one. If you notice a mistake here, you can still correct it.
Always Take the ATM Transaction Statement Slip, Immediately Check its Contents, and Store It
Once the transfer is complete, always take the transaction statement slip and immediately re-check if the recipient information and amount are correct. Then, keep it safe for a certain period. It will be important evidence if a mistake is discovered later.
(Reference) About Errors When the Recipient Account Does Not Exist
This section touches on what happens if, during the transfer procedure, the entered account information is incorrect and the system determines that the recipient’s account does not exist.
Cases Where an Error Occurs Due to Mismatch in Account Number or Recipient Name
For example, if the account number has the wrong number of digits, or if the entered recipient name does not match the actual account name, an error message may appear on the ATM screen, and you may not be able to proceed with the transfer.
In This Case, the Transfer Itself Often Fails, Rather Than Requiring a Fund Recall
In such cases, the transfer itself has not been completed (funds have not been sent to the recipient’s account), so a fund recall procedure is unnecessary. You will need to check the error message, re-enter the correct information, and try the procedure again. Fees are also generally not incurred if the transfer fails.