Let’s say that someone wants to transfer money to your bank account but unfortunately, you’ve forgotten your account number. What should you do in that situation? Instead of going to the nearest branch to ask for help, you can recover your BPI account number safely and conveniently in the comfort of your own home.
The BPI account number is a unique 10-digit number that is assigned to a BPI deposit or savings account. Using the bank account number, the account holder or depositor can perform various banking transactions including online and over-the-counter deposits and withdrawals. The account number of the recipient is required when conducting fund transfers locally through InstaPay or PESONet, or via international wire transfer.
By using the correct bank account number, you ensure that funds are properly remitted to the intended recipient. Most banks will return the money if you entered the wrong bank account number, but there have been cases where funds were erroneously transferred to the wrong account due to this kind of mistake.
To avoid inconvenience, make sure that you provide the correct bank account number during online fund transfers and over-the-counter deposits. But what if you don’t know your bank account number because you’ve lost or forgotten it?
In this article, I’ll help you recover your lost or forgotten BPI account number even without visiting the nearest BPI branch.
BPI Account Number vs. BPI ATM Card Number
The BPI account number is not to be confused with the BPI ATM card number. The account number is different from the card number. The account number is associated with the customer’s bank account and is deemed permanent, while the card number is assigned to the ATM card or debit card and only lasts for a few years until the expiration date of the card.
Furthermore, the BPI account number consists of 10 digits, while the BPI ATM card number is made up of 16 digits.
The first 3 digits of the BPI account number is the branch code. For example, if the account number is 8291234567, then the first 3 digits “829” refer to the branch code of Ayala Alabang. Check out this page for the list of BPI branches and their respective branch codes.
On the other hand, the first 6 digits of the ATM card number are the Bank Identification Number which indicates the bank or company that issued the card, while the next 9 digits are unique numbers that are linked to the bank account. The last digit is the check digit which is used to determine the validity of the card.
You will know if an ATM card is Visa or MasterCard by looking at the first digit of the card number. Visa cards start with “4” while MasterCard usually begins with “5.”
ATM, debit and credit cards have the card number printed on the card, but not the account number. It’s impossible to know the bank account number by simply looking at the ATM card number. Some cards such as those issued by UnionBank have their account number printed on them, but that is not the case with BPI.
And since you won’t find the bank account number on the ATM card, it might become difficult to retrieve your account number in case you’ve lost or forgotten it. That’s why it’s important to store your bank account numbers in a safe and secure place such as a private note-taking app, so that you can conveniently access them when needed. This is especially true if you don’t have a passbook that you can easily flip open to know your bank account number.
How to Find Your BPI Account Number
Follow these steps to recover or retrieve your bank account number in case you’ve lost or forgotten it.
Check Your Passbook
Obviously, the best place to know your BPI deposit account number is to check your passbook, if you have one. The account number is usually printed on the first page of the passbook. Some BPI bank accounts only have ATM cards and no passbooks, so this is out of the question for many BPI customers.
Login to BPI Online
If you are already registered to BPI online banking, knowing your deposit account number is just a matter of logging in to your online banking account. After logging in to your online banking account, you can see your account number by going to the My Accounts page.
Using the BPI mobile banking app? Simply login to your account using the app and you will immediately see a list of your bank accounts and their corresponding account numbers.
Find Your Old Receipts
Perhaps you can find old receipts of your over-the-counter transactions with BPI. These receipts usually have the bank account number printed on them. Don’t use ATM transaction receipts, as these receipts usually hide the first several digits of your account number.
Call BPI Customer Service
If you can’t find your BPI account number using the previous steps, you can ask for it by calling BPI. These are the BPI hotline and contact numbers that you can call to seek assistance:
- Domestic Long Distance Hotline: (02) 889-10000
- PLDT Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-188-89-100
- International Hotline: (+632) 889-10000
- Mobile Phone Hotline: 2-889-10000
- International Toll-Free Hotline: Check out this list
BPI customer service hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take note that airtime and long-distance charges may apply if you’re calling from your mobile phone or from a non-PLDT landline.
Before calling, make sure that you have a ballpen and paper ready in which to write down your account number. You may also be asked to provide your personal information such as your birthday or mother’s maiden name in order to verify your identity.
Send an Email to BPI
You can also try sending an email to [email protected] to ask for your account number. BPI often takes more than a day to respond to emails, so only email them if your request is not urgent.
Here is a template that you can use to email BPI (be sure to change the personal details with your own information):
Dear BPI,
Good day! I would like to request for my BPI account number because I’ve lost my copy of it. I have provided my personal details below for identification and verification purposes:
Name: Juan dela Cruz
Birthday: January 1, 1990
Address: Maria Clara Street, Tondo, Manila
ATM Card Number: 5363 4700 0123 4567
Thank you and I’m hoping for a positive response to this matter.
Sincerely,
Juan dela Cruz
Attach a digital copy of your valid ID to the email. Write “Account number verification” as the subject line and send the email to [email protected].
BPI also accepts inquiries via their official website. Just fill out the contact form and enter your account details (such as the last 10 digits of your ATM card number) along with your concern.
Visit the Nearest BPI Branch
If you’ve already tried calling and emailing BPI but still can’t recover your account number, you may have to visit the nearest BPI branch and personally ask for it. BPI branches are usually open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Mondays to Fridays except holidays.
Bring your ATM card and a valid ID card for identification and verification purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BPI account number and the BPI card number the same?
The bank account number is different from the card number. The former represents your deposit account in BPI while the latter is attached to your credit or debit card.
How many digits does a BPI account number have?
The bank account number consists of 10 digits, wherein the first 3 digits pertain to the branch code.
Where can I find my BPI card number?
You can find your 16-digit BPI card number on the front of your debit or credit card. Visa cards start with “4” while MasterCard begins with “5.”
Is it safe to share or post my bank account number?
It’s generally safe to share or display your bank account number. However, refrain from sharing additional information such as your home address and date of birth in order to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft.
Does a BPI account number start with 00?
Yes, BPI branches in Makati usually start with “00” in their bank account numbers. If you’re required to enter a 10-digit account number (for example, in an e-wallet app), you can safely disregard the first “00” in the 12-digit account number.
Final Thoughts
We’re all prone to forgetting something and our bank account numbers are no exception. Since bank account numbers are long and have 10 or more digits, it’s best to write them down so you don’t forget them. Once you’ve recovered your BPI account number, be sure to store it safely away in a private notebook or a note-taking app such as Google Keep.
For your questions and concerns about your BPI account, call the BPI customer service hotline (+632) 889-10000 or email [email protected].
