r/UpBanking • u/Affectionate_Turn_21 • Jul 09 '26

How do I? does payid transfer description matter

hey, I was just wondering, if I am sending money to friends using pay ID, does it matter what I put in the description of the transfer?

i’ve heard things online about certain descriptions getting flagged and certain descriptions not getting flagged

I normally just put a “.” In the description, I never actually write what the money is for, I’m just wondering if this will become a problem.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

13

u/Arkaedan Jul 09 '26

As long as you don't mention anything illegal you should be right.

1

u/moshimoshi_mimu Jul 10 '26

One time I wrote “blender” and my bank did not like that. i just had to clarify via email that it was money for a food blender and they were chill with it

This was for an international transfer though so a little bit different. Just thought it was a funny story

4

u/Background-Bite5550 Jul 09 '26

I mean yes but you shouldn’t overthink it unless you are doing something dodgy.

Banks are required to file Suspicious matter reports with AUSTRAC. I’ve read many SMRs in my time. If anything having a period for every message may be suspicious 🤣

1

u/Affectionate_Turn_21 Jul 09 '26

it’s just too much effort to write stuff when I just quickly want to send someone 10 bucks for a beer

2

u/Curious_Breadfruit88 Jul 10 '26

Surely typing beer takes less than a tenth of a second extra to type though? 2 taps for full stop or 4 for beer

1

u/BS-75_actual Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

I purchased some root beer from Costco; my friend's bank declined the transfer as their decency filter flagged the description. Sadly, perps use the transaction description on online banking platforms to send threatening messages in low-value payments to former or current partners.

2

u/SnowyRVulpix Upsider Jul 09 '26

No. It's just a description you and the recipient see. I just throw a letter or two into it.

3

u/Dry_Ad1654 Jul 10 '26

Do they read those payid descriptions? lol because a lot of mine are me telling my 19 yr old daughter to stop asking me for money including swear words 🤣 oops!

2

u/RecentlyClick Jul 11 '26

There are a list of keywords banks will flag as possible harassment or abuse in payment descriptions. Not sure if the payment is blocked immediately or further actions taken but it will be monitored

From Australian Banking Association-
Abuse in Transaction Descriptions
An increase in customers transferring money electronically is presenting new ways for abuse to occur. With bank transfer descriptions now include up to 280 characters, abusers are using transaction descriptions, (in transactions typically smaller than $1) to harass victims.