You’ve priced your goods, agreed on timeline, and the supplier has sent invoice. But before you move money, verify their bank details. One wrong digit, one fake “updated account” email, and your money is gone or stuck for weeks. No be today scam start, so do it clean, step by step, like business people we are.
This guide keeps it straight: what to collect, how to confirm, what red flags to watch, and the exact words you can send to a supplier to verify without causing drama.
What Verification Protects You From
- Wrong account .
- Business email compromise .
- Fake “agent” account pretending to be your supplier.
- Delays caused by missing or mismatched info.
If you verify upfront, you save money, time, and your head.😂
The Information You Must Collect First
Before any payment talk, ask your supplier for a proper invoice showing:
- Beneficiary (account) name — company name or owner’s full legal name.
- Bank name & branch — the exact branch or city, plus bank address if they use it.
- Account number — carefully written; if Chinese characters are included, ask for the English translation.
- Currency — RMB (CNY) or USD.
- SWIFT/BIC — if paying USD or other foreign currency via international transfer.
- (If RMB) Local routing info — many suppliers will give their domestic RMB receiving details .
- Company address — must match their business license details (if they share).
- Contact person — name/WhatsApp/WeChat/phone for finance/accounting.
If they can share a business license (common in China) or a bank account certificate showing beneficiary name and part of the account number, even better.
5-Minute Sanity Checks (Do These First)
These quick checks catch half of the issues:
- Name match: Does the beneficiary name on the invoice match the brand/company you’ve been talking to? Tiny spelling changes are a trap.
- Email domain: If your whole conversation was on
@company.comand “updated details” suddenly come from@outlook.comor@gmail.com, Run o 😂. - Account switch: If they change bank details near payment time, re-verify via a different channel.
- Currency logic: Chinese Mainland factory asking you to pay RMB to a Hong Kong personal account? Not always wrong, but it needs extra checks.
- Consistency: Check that the invoice header, stamp, and bank name all align with the story they’ve told you.
The Strong Verification Steps (Use Two Channels)
1) Confirm on Two Separate Channels
- If the change came by email, confirm via WeChat/WhatsApp/phone that you already used earlier with that company.
- Don’t confirm using the new contact they just sent in the same email. Use a previously verified contact or the phone/email listed on their website or past invoice.
What to ask them to confirm:
- Beneficiary exact name (in English)
- Last 4 digits of the account number
- Bank name and branch/city
- Currency to receive (RMB or USD)
Keep it simple, short, and professional.
2) Ask for a Stamped Confirmation
Request a stamped PDF on company letterhead showing:
- Beneficiary name
- Bank name & branch/city
- Account number
- Currency to receive
- Signature/stamp of finance or sales manager
Most serious suppliers won’t argue. If they act like it’s a big problem, that’s a sign to slow down.
3) Business License & Name Match
If it’s a company account, ask for a copy/photo of the business license. Check that the company name on the license matches the beneficiary name (same spelling, same order).
Trading companies exist (not every seller is the factory). If a trading company is receiving, that should match what they told you from day one with no last-minute “surprise.”
4) Callback the Finance Team
Ask for the finance team phone number. Call and repeat the last 4 digits of the account number and bank name. If language is an issue, a quick WhatsApp voice note from the person you trust can settle it.
5) Do a Small Test Payment (When Reasonable)
For new suppliers or big amounts, send a small test transfer (e.g., a small part of deposit). Confirm they received, then send the rest. Yes, it’s one extra step, but it can save millions of naira if details are wrong.
Company Account vs Personal Account
- Company account is standard for factories and trading companies which is generally safer and easier to match with documents.
- Personal account (boss/owner) is common with small workshops. Not automatically scam, but you must double-check identity and be extra strict with the two-channel confirmation + stamped letterhead.
If the invoice says “Company A,” but the beneficiary is one random person you’ve never heard of, and they can’t prove link between the two, then slow down.
When the Supplier Suddenly Changes Bank Details
This is the classic fraud pattern. Handle it like this:
- STOP payment immediately.
- Contact your known sales rep on WhatsApp/WeChat (the one you’ve used before) and paste the “new details” asking:
- “Is this official? Why the change?”
- “Please send a stamped, signed confirmation on company letterhead.”
- Call the number on their website or the last invoice to verify the change verbally.
- Compare the new beneficiary name with the business license.
- If you’re still not satisfied, insist on the old account or use a small test first.
Real companies understand this. If they’re legit, they’ll cooperate. If they start pushing “pay now now or discount will go,” that pressure is a red flag.
Payment Documentation Pack (Keep Your Paper Trail Tight)
After payment, keep these in one folder (Google Drive, Dropbox ETC):
- Invoice
- Stamped bank detail confirmation
- Your transfer receipt (NGN side)
- Supplier’s payment confirmation (RMB/USD received)
- Chat/email logs confirming account details (screenshots are fine)
When banks, accountants, or even your supplier’s accounts team ask later, you have everything. Paper trail is respect.
Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
- New bank details sent from a free email (e.g.,
@gmail.com) when the company uses@brand.com. - Supplier refuses to send stamped confirmation or business license for a large payment.
- Beneficiary name that has nothing to do with the company you know.
- Urgency + discount combo: “Pay today now now or we increase price.”
- Unclear currency instructions (they mix RMB vs USD anyhow).
- Account in a different region that doesn’t fit their story (e.g., sudden offshore personal account with weak explanation).
Practical Templates (Copy, Edit, Send)
A) WhatsApp/WeChat Double-Check
“Hi [Name], quick confirmation before we pay Invoice #[Number].
Beneficiary: [Name]
Bank: [Bank + City]
Last 4 digits: [XXXX]
Currency: [RMB/USD]
Please confirm this is correct. Also, can you send a stamped PDF on letterhead to our email?”
B) Payment Confirmation to Supplier (After You Pay)
Subject: Payment Sent — Invoice #[Number]
Hello [Name],
Payment has been sent for Invoice #[Number]. Attached are the transfer slip and details. Kindly confirm once received so we can proceed to the next step.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
FAQs (Straight Answers)
Q: They said pay to a different company: Is it legit?
A: Could be a trading company arrangement. Ask for business license of the receiving company and a stamped letter linking them to your order. Confirm by phone.
Q: They want USD in Hong Kong, but invoice is RMB.
A: Can be a Mismatch, ask them to re-issue invoice in USD or accept RMB as invoiced. Avoid double conversions.
Q: Their email was hacked; now what?
A: Stop everything. Call a number you trust to confirm the last real account. Request a fresh stamped confirmation. Change to a clean email thread if needed.
Q: Can I use Alipay/WeChat?
A: Sometimes small suppliers ask for it, but for business payments, stick to the invoice + bank route you can document and audit. If you must use those, still double-confirm identity and keep proof.
Final Word
This Thread on How to Verify a China Supplier’s Bank Details isn’t stress; it’s standard. Use two channels to confirm, get a stamped letter, do a small test where it makes sense, and keep your paper trail tight.
When you’re ready to actually send the money, use a flow that shows you the rate before you move naira, settles RMB/USD fast, and gives you solid proof you can forward to the supplier. That’s how you avoid the “I thought…” and “they said…” headaches we all hate.
You can Also use the Services of EXSWAP to Avert all these Headache.
You’ve got this.