Email Money Transfer

Mehdi Punjwani

Author: Mehdi Punjwani

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Table of contents

An email money transfer, sometimes known as an EMT, is the process of sending and receiving money using your email address, rather than a phone number, bank account, or debit card. It’s offered by some banks and money transfer providers, but it isn’t available everywhere - read our guide to learn more about what email money transfers are and how they work.

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Email money transfers allow you to send funds using an email address, often through bank services like Interac or apps like Wise. Funds are sent to the recipient's bank or digital wallet, with transfers usually immediate for local payments.

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What is an Email Money Transfer?

An email money transfer is when someone sends or receives money using their email address. When you send money through a bank transfer, you will often have to give the recipient’s name, address, and bank account details so they can receive the money, but with email, and money transfers all you usually need is the person’s email address.

How Does an Email Money Transfer Work?

The exact way an email money transfer works depends on the provider you send money to. Some providers offer a standard banking service, where your bank account is tied directly to the email address, while others offer a digital wallet linked to your email address and also your bank.

For example, the Interact e-Transfers service in Canada lets you send and receive money via your email address or phone number, and any money transferred is directly deposited into the recipient’s bank account.

Alternatively, with apps like Google Pay and PayPal, money is sent to a digital wallet with those companies, and you can then withdraw money from this wallet into your bank account.

Another method of sending money via email is technically not an ‘email money transfer. With Wise, you can send money using a person’s email address, and the recipient’s email is used to find their Wise account details and notify them of the payment.

How do I send money by email?

To send money via email, with most providers you’ll just need to do the following:

Log in

Log into your online banking account, whether it’s through a browser or via the app

Start a transfer

Select the ‘send money’ option to initiate a money transfer

Choose your recipient

You should be able to select from existing contacts, or enter their email address if sending to someone new

Add details

Choose how much you want to send

Security checks

Pass any security checks required, such as showing your identity or proof of funds

Add last details

You may want to add a message or reference if required

Complete your transfer

Your money should then be on its way to be received via email

Remember the exact steps can differ between providers so be sure to check what you need to do before starting a transfer.

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How do I receive money by email?

If you’re receiving money via email, you’ll likely get a notification in your email inbox - but you may also get a text message or in-app notification. Follow the onscreen instructions, and complete any security checks that might be required - and the money should be deposited in your bank account or digital wallet.

How long does it take to send money by email?

The length of time it’ll take for the money transfer to be completed depends on the provider you send money to and the location you’re sending the funds to. However, in many cases, the transfer will be immediate, especially for local money transfers.

How much does it cost to send money by email?

Local money transfers are generally free of charge so long as you have an active bank account and an email address associated with it. However international money transfers are likely to come with fees as well as exchange rate markups, regardless of how you send the money.

Who does email money transfer?

Providers that offer email money transfers include:

Interac e-Transfer

Originators of the email money transfer service, Interac Corp is one of Canada’s most trusted financial service providers, their Interac E-Transfer service is used by millions daily. Interac Corp pioneered the interbank network now used to facilitate the transfer of funds between domestic banks. Almost every Canadian bank and credit union profits from the Interac network, with corporations in North America, APAC, and Europe keen to establish a similar system.

How do I send money with Interac e-Transfer?

To send money by email in Canada using Interac e-Transfer, follow these steps:

  • Log into your online bank account.

  • Select your account to send money from.

  • Choose or add the recipient’s email or phone number.

  • Enter the amount you want to send.

  • Choose a security question, unless the recipient is registered with Interac e-Transfer Autodeposit.

PayPal

As one of the best-known online payment services, PayPal grants users the option to send money to anyone with an email address. As with other PayPal transfers, this form of payment usually takes 1 business day to appear in the recipient’s account, but this depends on the bank in question’s clearing process. Learn how to transfer money with PayPal here.

Google Pay

Google Pay introduced Gmail money transfers as a way of giving customers the option to send and receive payments directly to their inboxes. Gmail money transfers are as easy to compose as a normal email message, with the “send money” option displayed along with other attachments.

Individuals must have an active Google Pay account to take use this service.

Wise

This money transfer giant offers a global email money transfer service for those moving funds between Wise customers. This service is not a traditional email money transfer. Customers are given the option to use a payee’s email address to initiate payment and the company uses this email information to locate the recipient’s Wise account and notify them of the incoming payment. This service is not available to customers in certain territories, or anyone trying to send USD to a bank account outside of the U.S.

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Email money transfers are a quick and easy way to send money to others, and while they aren’t generally offered by many banks outside of Canada, it’s still an option with some money transfer providers.

It’s always worth comparing money transfer rates before sending funds, so if you need to make an international money transfer you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

If email money transfers aren’t an option, you’ll still be able to find a quick and affordable way to send money abroad with MoneyTransfers.com. You can compare providers by the overall speed of the transfer, how much the recipient will get, and any fees you need to pay.

Once you’ve chosen the one you want, just click through to the provider to sign up in minutes, and you’ll be ready to start sending money.

FAQs

How Safe is an Email Money Transfer?

The primary security protocol employed by banks to protect customers’ money are the security questions entered when setting up an email money transfer. For this reason, it is crucial that both parties know the corresponding question, and that the answer isn’t common knowledge or easily guessed. While many individuals choose to enable “auto-deposit” for email money transfers, removes the security blockade, immediately releasing the funds, making it less secure.Find out how to securely Send Money Online using our comprehensive guide.

Concerns for the safety of email money transfers have surfaced as a result of fraudulent interception which has allowed money to be transferred to the wrong recipient. Email money transfer providers continue to counteract these incidents by introducing elevated cybersecurity measures such as two-step authentication.

Are Interac e-Transfers money transfers safe?

Most email money transfer methods are as safe as using a standard bank or financial institution, as they use the same transfer network - the email part is more about identifying and notifying the recipient.

However, Interac e-Transfers in Canada work slightly differently:

  • You can set a security question for the recipient to answer.

  • You can set up the Autodeposit feature which bypasses the security check. This is slightly less secure so be sure if you choose this method, that you know for sure to who you are sending money.

Can someone take back an e-transfer?

Unfortunately there is no way to reverse an e-transfer - you’ll need to arrange this with the recipient directly. Remember you should only conduct money transfers or any other kind of transaction with parties you know and trust.

Are email money transfers free?

Email money transfers are rarely free, especially when sending money abroad.

Contributors

Mehdi Punjwani
Author

Mehdi Punjwani

Lead Writer and Editor
Mehdi is an accomplished writer and editor, specializing in personal finance with over five years of experience. His expertise is reflected in his work for prominent brands such as MoneySuperMarket, Equifax, and The AA. Additionally, Mehdi contributes as an author at USA Today, further showcasing his proficiency in the field.