Yes, you can send money from MoneyGram to a bank account
MoneyGram lets you send money directly into someone else's bank account in the United States and many other countries. You do not need the recipient to visit a MoneyGram location or pick up cash. The money goes straight to their bank, and the transfer usually arrives within one to three business days, depending on the receiving bank.
The process is faster than mailing a check and safer than sending cash. You pay a fee when you send (typically $2 to $15 depending on the amount and destination), and the recipient's bank may charge a small deposit fee, though most do not.
Key Takeaways
- MoneyGram bank transfers work online, by phone, or in person at a MoneyGram agent location, and money lands in the recipient's account within one to three business days.
- You need the recipient's full name, bank account number, routing number, and the name of their bank before you start the transfer.
- Fees range from $2 to $15 depending on how much you send and which country the money is going to.
- You can send up to $10,000 per transaction online, though limits vary by state and sending method.
- If the transfer fails or the recipient's account information is wrong, MoneyGram can cancel it and return your money, but this takes several business days.
How to send money to a bank account through MoneyGram
Start by gathering the recipient's information: their full legal name (exactly as it appears on their bank account), their bank account number, their bank's routing number, and the name of the bank. You can find the routing number on the recipient's checks, on their bank's website, or by calling the bank directly.
You have three ways to send: online at moneygram.com, by phone at 1-800-448-1010, or in person at a MoneyGram agent location (usually a grocery store, pharmacy, or check-cashing outlet). Online is the fastest and often has the lowest fees. When you send, you will enter the recipient's information, the amount, and your payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account). MoneyGram will show you the fee and the expected delivery date before you confirm.
After you send, you get a reference number. Keep this number—you will need it if anything goes wrong or if the recipient asks where their money is.
Fees and limits for bank account transfers
MoneyGram charges a sending fee that depends on the amount and destination. Sending $100 domestically (within the US) typically costs $2 to $5. Sending $1,000 might cost $10 to $15. International transfers cost more. The exact fee appears on screen before you confirm the transfer, so you know the total cost upfront.
The limit for online transfers is usually $10,000 per transaction, though some states cap it lower. If you send in person at an agent location, you may be able to send more, but the agent will tell you the limit for your state. You can send multiple transfers on the same day if you need to move more money.
The recipient's bank may charge a deposit fee for receiving the transfer, but most US banks do not. If their bank does charge a fee, it comes out of the amount they receive, not from what you sent.
How long the money takes to arrive
Most bank transfers arrive within one to three business days. The timeline depends on when you send (weekends and holidays add time) and how fast the receiving bank processes deposits. If you send on a Friday evening, the money might not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
MoneyGram does not hold the money—it goes to the receiving bank immediately. The delay is on the bank's end as they verify the account and post the deposit. You can ask the recipient to check their bank account after two business days. If the money has not arrived by the third business day, contact MoneyGram with your reference number.
What to do if the transfer fails or the account information is wrong
If the recipient's account number or routing number is incorrect, the transfer will fail and the money will bounce back to MoneyGram. The bank will reject it, and MoneyGram will hold it while they try to contact you. This process takes five to ten business days.
Once MoneyGram confirms the transfer failed, they will refund your money to the original payment method (your debit card, credit card, or bank account). The refund takes another three to five business days, so you may not see the money for two to three weeks total. You will not get the sending fee back.
To avoid this, double-check the recipient's account number and routing number before you send. Ask them to read it back to you or send you a photo of a check. A single wrong digit will cause the transfer to fail.
Sending money internationally to a bank account
MoneyGram also sends money to bank accounts in over 200 countries. The process is the same, but fees are higher and delivery times are longer. International transfers typically take three to five business days and cost $15 to $50 depending on the amount and destination country.
You still need the recipient's bank account number and routing number (or the equivalent in their country). Some countries use an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) or SWIFT code instead of a routing number. Ask the recipient which one their bank uses, or ask the bank directly.
International transfers are subject to currency exchange rates. MoneyGram shows you the exchange rate and the amount the recipient will receive in their local currency before you confirm. The rate changes throughout the day, so the amount they get may be slightly different from what you see if you wait to send.
Fraud protection and what happens if money goes to the wrong account
MoneyGram verifies that the account exists before the money is sent, but they do not verify that it belongs to the person you intend. If you send money to the wrong account number by mistake, the money goes to whoever owns that account. MoneyGram cannot reverse a completed transfer or force the other bank to return it.
If you realize you sent to the wrong account, contact MoneyGram immediately with your reference number. They can try to contact the receiving bank and ask them to return the money, but the receiving bank is not required to do so. Recovery is difficult and may take weeks or fail entirely.
To protect yourself, verify the account number with the recipient before you send. If someone asks you to send money urgently to a new account, pause and confirm the request directly with them by phone or in person, not by email or text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a MoneyGram transfer after I send it?
If the transfer has not been delivered yet, you can cancel it and get a refund. Call MoneyGram at 1-800-448-1010 with your reference number and ask to cancel. If the money has already been deposited into the recipient's account, you cannot cancel it. MoneyGram can ask the receiving bank to return it, but the bank is not required to comply.
What if the recipient's bank rejects the deposit?
The bank will reject the transfer if the account number is wrong, the account is closed, or the account holder's name does not match what you entered. MoneyGram will hold the money for a set period (usually 30 days) and then refund it to you. The refund goes back to your original payment method and takes three to five business days.
Can I send money to a savings account or only a checking account?
You can send to either a savings account or a checking account. The process is the same. Just make sure you have the correct account number and routing number for whichever account the recipient wants the money in.
Is MoneyGram bank transfer safer than wire transfer?
Both are safe in terms of fraud protection, but they work differently. MoneyGram transfers are slower (one to three days) and cheaper ($2 to $15). Wire transfers are faster (same day or next day) but cost more ($15 to $50). For routine payments, MoneyGram is usually the better choice. For urgent money, a wire transfer is faster.
Do I need to have a bank account to send money through MoneyGram?
No. You can send money using a debit card, credit card, or cash at a MoneyGram agent location. You do not need your own bank account. Only the recipient needs a bank account to receive the money.