Why is my Interac e-Transfer pending?

If you sent or received an Interac e-Transfer and your bank still shows it as pending, the most likely answer is the simplest one: the recipient hasn't answered the security question yet. But there are a handful of other common causes — and each has a different fix. (For normal timing, see how long an e-Transfer takes.)

The 7 most common reasons

1. The recipient hasn't answered the security question

Without Autodeposit, every e-Transfer requires the recipient to log in and answer the question you set. Until they do, the transfer stays pending. Fix: Confirm they got the email, that it didn't land in spam, and that they know the answer. The transfer will sit in pending for up to 30 days before expiring.

2. The recipient's email or phone number is wrong

A typo in the email address means the notification never arrives. The transfer still shows pending on your end. Fix: Cancel the pending transfer in your bank's app and resend to the correct address. (See how to cancel an e-Transfer.)

3. Your bank is doing a fraud review

Banks routinely hold e-Transfers for review, especially for first-time recipients, large amounts, or unusual activity. Interac says transfers are typically nearly instant but can take up to 30 minutes; a review can take longer. Fix: If it's been more than a few hours, call your bank. RBC: 1-800-769-2511. TD: 1-866-222-3456. Scotiabank: 1-800-472-6842. CIBC: 1-800-465-2422. BMO: 1-877-225-5266.

4. Interac is doing system maintenance

Interac occasionally performs maintenance or experiences slowdowns. Fix: Interac doesn't publish a consumer status page for e-Transfer, so wait a little and try again; if the problem persists, report it to your bank, which handles e-Transfer service issues. See how to tell whether Interac is down or it's your bank.

5. The recipient's bank is delayed

Even with Autodeposit, the receiving bank still has to process and post the transfer. Most banks do this within minutes, but some smaller credit unions and online-only banks can take longer. Fix: If it's been over an hour with Autodeposit, contact the recipient's bank.

6. You hit your daily limit

If you've already sent close to your daily limit, the transfer may be queued or held. Fix: Check your bank's daily e-Transfer limit. If you regularly run into this, see alternatives for sending more than your limit.

7. Your account has a hold or restriction

Newly opened accounts and accounts under fraud review often have temporary e-Transfer restrictions. Fix: Call your bank's support line. The restriction can usually be cleared after identity verification.

What to do, in order

1. Check the recipient's inbox (and spam folder) for the Interac email.
2. If they have it, ask them to log in and answer the security question.
3. If the email is missing, double-check the address you used.
4. If both are fine and it's been more than a few hours, call your bank.

If the transfer expires before being claimed, you get the money back, but how depends on your bank. CIBC returns it automatically, while RBC and Scotiabank ask you to reclaim it — and RBC charges $5.00 if you don't reclaim within 15 days of expiry. Watch for your bank's email after the 30 days are up.

Related guides

• How long does an e-Transfer take?
• Why was my e-Transfer declined?
• Can I cancel an e-Transfer?
• Sent an e-Transfer to the wrong person?
• How to file an Interac complaint in Canada