How to receive money in the US

Product · February 20, 2026Clément Bolmont

Getting paid should be easy and stress-free. Whether you're splitting a bill or selling an item to someone you've never met, we've designed our features to be clear, helpful, and cost-effective.

Using our app to manage your money can help you keep your details private while making sure your money arrives exactly when you expect it to.

Read on to discover how it works, and check out our guide to receiving money effortlessly for more in-depth details.

18+, Terms and Conditions apply.

The information provided is accurate as of February 13, 2026.
The content of this page is for general information purposes only and doesn't constitute financial advice. If you've any questions about your own situation, please seek professional and independent advice. We aren't a financial advisor.

How to receive money online: A quick guide

Here's the essential info for receiving money:

  • Payment Links: Create a unique link in our app and send it to the person paying so they can send you money using their card or via a bank transfer.
  • Revtags: Share your unique username or phone number instead of your routing or account numbers to receive money from other Revolut customers in seconds.
  • International transfers: We provide full account details, so you can share them and receive transfers from all over the world.
  • Notifications: Turn on real-time alerts to confirm when your money has arrived before you hand over any goods.

How to receive money from strangers safely

Receiving money through the internet from friends and family is now easy, thanks to modern solutions like ours. However, you might wonder if it's safe to get paid by someone you don't know for an item you sell on a site like Facebook Marketplace. You might not want to share your private account information with them.

When you're dealing with someone new, it's important to be able to get paid without showing your routing number or account number. While sharing these details is normal when it comes to your regular bills, if you share them with a scammer, they could use them to try and steal your identity. We've built tools that let you receive payments while keeping your details hidden.

Finding the best way to receive money online in the US

The best way to receive money online depends on what you prioritize, whether that's privacy or speed. These are the most secure ways for you to get paid today:

Payment Links for privacy

Payment Links are a useful way to get paid without sharing who you are. You make a unique link in our app, set the amount, and send it to the person who owes you money. They'll click the link and pay you via a debit card or Apple Pay.

The sender never sees your routing number or account number. This builds a secure bridge for the money to reach you while your details stay private.

Learn more about using Payment Links in the US.

Revtags for fast transfers

If you're receiving money from another Revolut customer who uses our app, you can share your unique Revtag. This is just a simple username that tells us which account is yours. It lets the sender find you in a second without needing your phone number or your account details. This method is fast, costs nothing, and keeps your personal info off the sender's phone.

Is it safe to share your bank details with strangers?

Sharing your bank details with strangers isn't a good idea if there's a more private way to do it. While routing and account numbers are a normal part of money transfers, they're still private. While these details can't necessarily be used to withdraw money from your account, they can still be used by scammers in certain situations.

By using Payment Links or your Revtag, you'll limit the amount of information about you that's out there.

How to receive money from abroad

Getting paid from another country often feels more confusing than a normal US transfer. You'll see terms like International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and BIC/SWIFT codes. These are just labels that help make sure your money lands in the right account in the right country.

When you have an account with us, you can receive and hold money in 25+ different currencies. We give you local account details for different parts of the world, including an IBAN for euros.

You can then choose when to turn that money into US dollars at our competitive exchange rates. For more information, take a look at our guide to international transfer options.

Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.

Common scams to watch out for when receiving money

Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick you into sending money or sharing your details. While our advanced technology and dedicated teams are here to protect your money, saving more than $800+ million globally for our customers in 2024 alone, there are some good practices you should follow to help prevent fraud.

Learn more about fraud and scam prevention.

Overpayment fraud

This scam happens when a stranger sends you a payment that's higher than the price you agreed on. They'll then claim they made a mistake and ask you to send the extra money back to a different account. Often, the first payment was made from a stolen account and will be taken back by the bank later. If you send the extra money back from your own pocket, you'll lose that money when the first transfer is cancelled. If someone pays you too much, don't send money back yourself. Instead, talk to us right away and let us handle it.

Accidental transfer scams

A stranger might send money to your account and then message you, saying it was a mistake. They'll appear worried in order to pressure you into sending the money back to them. This is often a way to hide stolen money. If you get a payment from someone you don't know and you weren't expecting it, don't touch the money. Report it to our support team so we can look into it safely for you.

Phishing and smishing

You might get an email or text message that looks like it's from us, saying you've got a payment that needs to be claimed. These links usually go to fake websites built to steal your login info. We'll never ask you to click a link to receive money. Always check your app to see your balance and check if any money has arrived.

How to get started and open an account with Revolut

If you're ready to manage your money with more control and less work, you can set up an account with us in just a few minutes.

  1. Download the app: get it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Sign up and verify your identity: take a photo of your ID and a selfie. this is a normal check we do for all new customers to keep our community safe.
  3. Add money: you can add money to your account via a bank transfer, a debit card, or Apple Pay.
  4. Start receiving: go to the Payments tab in-app to create your first Payment Link or find your unique Revtag to share with others.

Join the 80+ million using Revolut