Complaints from Ukrainians about banks blocking their accounts due to the use of so-called “trigger” or suspicious words in payment descriptions have become more frequent on social media. Among such words are “gift,” “debt repayment,” “for goods/services,” and similar phrases.
This is reported by Finway
How the Banking Payment Monitoring System Works
The payment description is a brief explanation that clarifies the purpose of the transfer. Specifying the purpose is important for the bank as it helps to correctly credit the funds, and for the payer, it confirms the intended use of the money. Banks carefully analyze these comments to identify potential violations or risks.
According to Anna Dovhalska, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of Globus Bank, the security systems of financial institutions focus not only on individual words but also on the overall behavior of clients. In particular, they consider the frequency of transactions, unusual amounts, and combinations of events that differ from the typical behavior of the account holder.
“If a series of transfers occurs within a short period or transactions with atypical amounts or regions for the card appear, this raises suspicion in the banks’ protection systems. Algorithms assess risk based on a range of parameters: payment metadata, the account holder’s transaction history, geolocation, and other factors,” explained the banker.
Which Words Cause Blocking and How to Avoid Problems with the Bank
One of the risk factors remains specific words in the payment description. Anna Dovhalska confirmed that technically this tool does not always work perfectly, as different writing styles or automatic text generation can accidentally match the so-called “blacklist.”
Therefore, banks combine dictionary filters with behavioral analytics, and in complex cases, they involve manual checks—when employees contact the client directly. However, such situations account for no more than 0.1% of the total number of transactions.
Trigger words include those associated with risky services or fraud. However, even in the case of ordinary transfers, it is advisable to carefully choose the wording. For example, if you are transferring money to an acquaintance, it is better to specify “Transfer of personal funds to a girl,” clearly indicating the source of the money and the relationship with the recipient.
In the case of debt repayment, the bank may require documentation to confirm this transaction—a debt acknowledgment or a loan agreement. It is also not recommended to use phrases like “payment for goods” or “payment for services” when transferring to an individual’s account, as such payments are only permitted to accounts of entrepreneurs. Otherwise, the recipient may face tax or banking issues.
There is no universal list of suspicious words among banks. Each institution can independently determine which words are considered risky and what measures to apply to clients. Therefore, Ukrainians should carefully formulate the purpose of the payment to avoid unexpected account blocks and additional checks.