Is it normal for employers to ask for your bank's SWIFT code on Direct Deposit forms?

Question

I don't understand why they would need my bank's SWIFT code. I was just hired as a customer support specialist for a company. The position is a work at home job which I've always been apprehensive about.

To be on the safe side, I plan to use a newly opened bank account with no money in it, but I'd still like get some input. Is the SWIFT code request a definite red flag? Everything else seemed legit. I checked the website, did the phone interview, looked over the employment agreement papers, etc.

Answer 1

Did you interview IN PERSON?? I have never heard of any company hiring a customer service rep they have never met at their offices. Even legitimate work from home jobs still interview you in person and have you fill out paperwork at the HR Managers office

Did they even issue you an I-9 form as required BY LAW?

Nobody needs a SWIFT code unless they are overseas, in which case they can't hire you unless they are a legally registered business in the US with a US tax ID number

Ask them for their Tax ID number, registered business address and which state they are incorporated in as your accountant needs to check this before you accept the job to know how this affects your taxes

If they are legit they will have no problem providing this immediately. If they are scammers they will have excuses

It doesn't matter if you set up a new account. If they are paying you with dirty money or not reporting your pay to the IRS you can be arrested as an accomplice just by working for them

Answer 2

No, it is not. All the employer should need are your bank's Routing Code (also known as an RTN for routing transit number or ABA number) and your account number. The RTN identifies not only your bank as a whole but the specific branch. The account number tells the bank where to deposit the funds from the direct deposit. A SWIFT number is used primarily for international wire transfers, meaning by you to another bank or by someone else to your bank. This could be a case of fraud. Contact your bank directly for instructions, not this forum.

Answer 3

A void check is just one of your checks for the bank (the bank you would like your paycheck to be deposited to) with the word VOID written on it. You should write VOID big to prevent any other use of the check. For a savings account, you can maybe use a deposit slip from your bank.

Answer 4

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