# How to check if a supplier changed their bank details before you pay

Compare the BSB and account number on the invoice with the supplier record in your accounting software. If they differ, ring the supplier on a number you already hold, not one from the invoice. Update the record only after they confirm.

## Short answer

1. Compare the BSB and account on the invoice with the supplier record.
2. If they differ, do not pay.
3. Ring the supplier on a number you already hold.
4. Update the record only after a second person confirms.

## Before you start

- Supplier contact details you hold from before, such as a number from your own records or their website.
- A rule about who may change supplier bank details. Make it two people.
- Access to the supplier contact in Xero or MYOB.

## The manual way

1. Open the invoice. Note the BSB and account number.
2. Open the supplier contact in Xero or MYOB and find the bank details. In Xero this is on the contact under Financial details.
3. If they match, carry on. If they differ, stop.
4. Ring the supplier. Use a number from your own records or from their website. Do not use a number on the invoice or in the email that asked for the change. Scamwatch has an alert on [invoice email scams](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/about-us/news-and-alerts/invoice-email-scam-now-targeting-australian-businesses).
5. Ask a second person to confirm the call, then write down who you spoke to and the date.
6. Edit the contact and save the new details. Add a note.
7. Release the payment.

Limits: this takes a phone call each time. It also depends on someone remembering to compare. A busy pay run is when that step is skipped.

## The Pulsify way

1. Forward the invoice to your Pulsify address. Pulsify reads the BSB and account number.
2. It compares them with the bank details on the supplier contact synced from Xero or MYOB. Bank details come in on the contact record.
3. If the BSB or the account differs, the invoice shows a flag, for example "BSB / routing code differs from the supplier's details in your accounting system", with the system value beside it.
4. The approver sees the flag before approval. Verify with the supplier by phone, as above.
5. Once confirmed, update the contact in Xero or MYOB. The next bill from them then matches.

What it does not do: the check is skipped when the supplier has no bank details on file, for BPAY or PayID, and for international details only. It compares with the supplier record, not with payment history. It flags, it does not block, and it does not call the supplier.

## Worked example

Example Plumbing Supplies has BSB 062-000 and account 1234 5678 on the supplier record. A new invoice arrives with BSB 063-000 and account 8765 4321, and an email line saying "we have changed banks".

The BSB and account both differ from the record. Pulsify flags both. The accounts officer calls the number from the original supplier agreement. The supplier says nothing has changed. The invoice is a scam. The email is reported and no payment is made.

## Common mistakes

- Ringing the number on the invoice. A scammer controls that number.
- Updating the record first and checking later.
- Letting one person change bank details alone.

## Next step

[Try an invoice](https://app.pulsify.tech/sign-up) and see the bank detail flag. Related help: [invoice checks](/guides/invoice-checks/) and [fraud prevention](/fraud-prevention/). Background: [accounts payable fraud in Australia](/blog/accounts-payable-fraud-vulnerability-australia/).

## Common questions

### Why would a supplier's bank details change?

Sometimes they really changed bank. Often a scammer posed as the supplier in an email. Scamwatch warns about invoice and bank detail redirection scams. Treat every change as unconfirmed until you ring.

### Can I trust an email that says the details changed?

No. A scammer can copy a real supplier's email, logo and invoice. Confirm by phone using a number you already hold, not a number in the email.

### What does Pulsify do when the details differ?

It compares the BSB and account number on the invoice with the supplier contact in Xero or MYOB. If either differs, it flags the invoice for review. It does not call the supplier or move money.

Source: https://www.pulsify.tech/how-to/check-if-a-supplier-changed-their-bank-details-before-you-pay/ (last checked 2026-10-19)