{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.4A-207.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.4A-207.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.4A-207.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.4A-207.html"}],"law_id":59923,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59923,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-207","catch_line":"Misdescription of beneficiary","history":"1990, c. 9; 2024, c. 652.","full_text":"a\n\nSubject to subsection (b) of this section, if, in a payment order received by the beneficiary’s bank, the name, bank account number, or other identification of the beneficiary refers to a nonexistent or unidentifiable person or account, no person has rights as a beneficiary of the order and acceptance of the order cannot occur.b\n\nIf a payment order received by the beneficiary’s bank identifies the beneficiary both by name and by an identifying or bank account number and the name and number identify different persons, the following rules apply:1\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the beneficiary’s bank does not know that the name and number refer to different persons, it may rely on the number as the proper identification of the beneficiary of the order. The beneficiary’s bank need not determine whether the name and number refer to the same person.2\n\nIf the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by name or knows that the name and number identify different persons, no person has rights as beneficiary except the person paid by the beneficiary’s bank if that person was entitled to receive payment from the originator of the funds transfer. If no person has rights as beneficiary, acceptance of the order cannot occur.c\n\nIf (i) a payment order described in subsection (b) of this section is accepted, (ii) the originator’s payment order described the beneficiary inconsistently by name and number, and (iii) the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by number as permitted by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, the following rules apply:1\n\nIf the originator is a bank, the originator is obliged to pay its order.2\n\nIf the originator is not a bank and proves that the person identified by number was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the originator is not obliged to pay its order unless the originator’s bank proves that the originator, before acceptance of the originator’s order, had notice that payment of a payment order issued by the originator might be made by the beneficiary’s bank on the basis of an identifying or bank account number even if it identifies a person different from the named beneficiary. Proof of notice may be made by any admissible evidence. The originator’s bank satisfies the burden of proof if it proves that the originator, before the payment order was accepted, signed a record stating the information to which the notice relates.d\n\nIn a case governed by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, if the beneficiary’s bank rightfully pays the person identified by number and that person was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the amount paid may be recovered from that person to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution as follows:1\n\nIf the originator is obliged to pay its payment order as stated in subsection (c) of this section, the originator has the right to recover.2\n\nIf the originator is not a bank and is not obliged to pay its payment order, the originator’s bank has the right to recover.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":219457,"text":"Subject to subsection (b) of this section, if, in a payment order received by the beneficiary’s bank, the name, bank account number, or other identification of the beneficiary refers to a nonexistent or unidentifiable person or account, no person has rights as a beneficiary of the order and acceptance of the order cannot occur.","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"b"},"1":{"id":219458,"text":"If a payment order received by the beneficiary’s bank identifies the beneficiary both by name and by an identifying or bank account number and the name and number identify different persons, the following rules apply:","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"b1"},"2":{"id":219459,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the beneficiary’s bank does not know that the name and number refer to different persons, it may rely on the number as the proper identification of the beneficiary of the order. The beneficiary’s bank need not determine whether the name and number refer to the same person.","type":"section","prefixes":["b","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"b1","prefix_anchor":"b1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"b2"},"3":{"id":219460,"text":"If the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by name or knows that the name and number identify different persons, no person has rights as beneficiary except the person paid by the beneficiary’s bank if that person was entitled to receive payment from the originator of the funds transfer. If no person has rights as beneficiary, acceptance of the order cannot occur.","type":"section","prefixes":["b","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"b2","prefix_anchor":"b2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"b1","next_prefix":"c"},"4":{"id":219461,"text":"If (i) a payment order described in subsection (b) of this section is accepted, (ii) the originator’s payment order described the beneficiary inconsistently by name and number, and (iii) the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by number as permitted by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, the following rules apply:","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b2","next_prefix":"c1"},"5":{"id":219462,"text":"If the originator is a bank, the originator is obliged to pay its order.","type":"section","prefixes":["c","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"c1","prefix_anchor":"c1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"c","next_prefix":"c2"},"6":{"id":219463,"text":"If the originator is not a bank and proves that the person identified by number was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the originator is not obliged to pay its order unless the originator’s bank proves that the originator, before acceptance of the originator’s order, had notice that payment of a payment order issued by the originator might be made by the beneficiary’s bank on the basis of an identifying or bank account number even if it identifies a person different from the named beneficiary. Proof of notice may be made by any admissible evidence. The originator’s bank satisfies the burden of proof if it proves that the originator, before the payment order was accepted, signed a record stating the information to which the notice relates.","type":"section","prefixes":["c","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"c2","prefix_anchor":"c2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"c1","next_prefix":"d"},"7":{"id":219464,"text":"In a case governed by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, if the beneficiary’s bank rightfully pays the person identified by number and that person was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the amount paid may be recovered from that person to the extent allowed by the law governing mistake and restitution as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"d","prefix_anchor":"d","level":1,"prior_prefix":"c2","next_prefix":"d1"},"8":{"id":219465,"text":"If the originator is obliged to pay its payment order as stated in subsection (c) of this section, the originator has the right to recover.","type":"section","prefixes":["d","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"d1","prefix_anchor":"d1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"d","next_prefix":"d2"},"9":{"id":219466,"text":"If the originator is not a bank and is not obliged to pay its payment order, the originator’s bank has the right to recover.","type":"section","prefixes":["d","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"d2","prefix_anchor":"d2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"d1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14106,"edition_id":1,"name":"Issue and Acceptance of Payment Order","identifier":"2","label":"part","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13362,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","permalink":{"id":283223,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14106,"identifier":"2","token":"8.4A\/2","url":"\/8.4A\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13362,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Code \u2014 Funds Transfers","identifier":"8.4A","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":283187,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13362,"identifier":"8.4A","token":"8.4A","url":"\/8.4A\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":72906,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-201","catch_line":"Security procedure","url":"\/8.4A-201\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-201","metadata":false},{"id":81942,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-202","catch_line":"Authorized and verified payment orders","url":"\/8.4A-202\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-202","metadata":false},{"id":68248,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-203","catch_line":"Unenforceability of certain verified payment orders","url":"\/8.4A-203\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-203","metadata":false},{"id":78010,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-204","catch_line":"Refund of payment and duty of customer to report with respect to unauthorized payment order","url":"\/8.4A-204\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-204","metadata":false},{"id":77755,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-205","catch_line":"Erroneous payment orders","url":"\/8.4A-205\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-205","metadata":false},{"id":64984,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-206","catch_line":"Transmission of payment order through funds-transfer or other communication system","url":"\/8.4A-206\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-206","metadata":false},{"id":59923,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-207","catch_line":"Misdescription of beneficiary","url":"\/8.4A-207\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-207","metadata":false},{"id":65335,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-208","catch_line":"Misdescription of intermediary bank or beneficiary's bank","url":"\/8.4A-208\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-208","metadata":false},{"id":78930,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-209","catch_line":"Acceptance of payment order","url":"\/8.4A-209\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-209","metadata":false},{"id":55237,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-210","catch_line":"Rejection of payment order","url":"\/8.4A-210\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-210","metadata":false},{"id":85898,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-211","catch_line":"Cancellation and amendment of payment order","url":"\/8.4A-211\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-211","metadata":false},{"id":69041,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-212","catch_line":"Liability and duty of receiving bank regarding unaccepted payment order","url":"\/8.4A-212\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-212","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64984,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-206","catch_line":"Transmission of payment order through funds-transfer or other communication system","url":"\/8.4A-206\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-206","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65335,"structure_id":14106,"section_number":"8.4A-208","catch_line":"Misdescription of intermediary bank or beneficiary's bank","url":"\/8.4A-208\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-208","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.4A-207\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 9 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapter 652<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":283249,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59923,"identifier":"8.4A-207","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-207","url":"\/8.4A-207\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.4A-207\/","token":"8.4A\/2\/8.4A-207","dublin_core":{"Title":"Misdescription of beneficiary","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.4A-207","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> Subject to subsection (b) of this section, if, in a payment order<\/span> received by the beneficiary’s bank, the name, bank account number, or other identification of the beneficiary refers to a nonexistent or unidentifiable person or account, no person has rights as a beneficiary of the order<\/span> and acceptance of the order<\/span> cannot occur. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> If a payment order<\/span> received by the beneficiary’s bank identifies the beneficiary both by name and by an identifying or bank account number and the name and number identify different persons, the following rules apply: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the beneficiary’s bank does not know that the name and number refer to different persons, it may rely on the number as the proper identification of the beneficiary of the order<\/span>. The beneficiary’s bank need not determine whether the name and number refer to the same person. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by name or knows that the name and number identify different persons, no person has rights as beneficiary except the person paid by the beneficiary’s bank if that person was entitled to receive payment from the originator<\/span> of the funds transfer<\/span>. If no person has rights as beneficiary, acceptance of the order<\/span> cannot occur. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> If (i) a payment order<\/span> described in subsection (b) of this section is accepted, (ii) the originator<\/span>’s payment order<\/span> described the beneficiary inconsistently by name and number, and (iii) the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by number as permitted by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, the following rules apply: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If the originator<\/span> is a bank, the originator<\/span> is obliged to pay its order<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If the originator<\/span> is not a bank and proves that the person identified by number was not entitled to receive payment from the originator<\/span>, the originator<\/span> is not obliged to pay its order<\/span> unless the originator<\/span>’s bank proves that the originator<\/span>, before acceptance of the originator<\/span>’s order<\/span>, had notice that payment of a payment order<\/span> issued by the originator<\/span> might be made by the beneficiary’s bank on the basis of an identifying or bank account number even if it identifies a person different from the named beneficiary. Proof of notice may be made by any admissible<\/span> evidence<\/span>. The originator<\/span>’s bank satisfies the burden of proof<\/span> if it proves that the originator<\/span>, before the payment order<\/span> was accepted, signed a record stating the information to which the notice relates. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

d.<\/span> In a case governed by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, if the beneficiary’s bank rightfully pays the person identified by number and that person was not entitled to receive payment from the originator<\/span>, the amount paid may be recovered from that person to the extent allowed by the law<\/span> governing mistake and restitution<\/span> as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If the originator<\/span> is obliged to pay its payment order<\/span> as stated in subsection (c) of this section, the originator<\/span> has the right to recover. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If the originator<\/span> is not a bank and is not obliged to pay its payment order<\/span>, the originator<\/span>’s bank has the right to recover. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMISDESCRIPTION OF BENEFICIARY (\u00a7 8.4A-207)\n\na. Subject to subsection (b) of this section, if, in a payment order received by\nthe beneficiary’s bank, the name, bank account number, or other\nidentification of the beneficiary refers to a nonexistent or unidentifiable\nperson or account, no person has rights as a beneficiary of the order and\nacceptance of the order cannot occur.\n\nb. If a payment order received by the beneficiary’s bank identifies the\nbeneficiary both by name and by an identifying or bank account number and the\nname and number identify different persons, the following rules apply:\n\n 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the\n beneficiary’s bank does not know that the name and number refer to\n different persons, it may rely on the number as the proper identification of\n the beneficiary of the order. The beneficiary’s bank need not determine\n whether the name and number refer to the same person.\n\n 2. If the beneficiary’s bank pays the person identified by name or knows\n that the name and number identify different persons, no person has rights as\n beneficiary except the person paid by the beneficiary’s bank if that\n person was entitled to receive payment from the originator of the funds\n transfer. If no person has rights as beneficiary, acceptance of the order\n cannot occur.\n\nc. If (i) a payment order described in subsection (b) of this section is\naccepted, (ii) the originator’s payment order described the beneficiary\ninconsistently by name and number, and (iii) the beneficiary’s bank pays\nthe person identified by number as permitted by subdivision (b) (1) of this\nsection, the following rules apply:\n\n 1. If the originator is a bank, the originator is obliged to pay its order.\n\n 2. If the originator is not a bank and proves that the person identified by\n number was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the originator\n is not obliged to pay its order unless the originator’s bank proves that\n the originator, before acceptance of the originator’s order, had notice\n that payment of a payment order issued by the originator might be made by the\n beneficiary’s bank on the basis of an identifying or bank account number\n even if it identifies a person different from the named beneficiary. Proof of\n notice may be made by any admissible evidence. The originator’s bank\n satisfies the burden of proof if it proves that the originator, before the\n payment order was accepted, signed a record stating the information to which\n the notice relates.\n\nd. In a case governed by subdivision (b) (1) of this section, if the\nbeneficiary’s bank rightfully pays the person identified by number and\nthat person was not entitled to receive payment from the originator, the amount\npaid may be recovered from that person to the extent allowed by the law\ngoverning mistake and restitution as follows:\n\n 1. If the originator is obliged to pay its payment order as stated in\n subsection (c) of this section, the originator has the right to recover.\n\n 2. If the originator is not a bank and is not obliged to pay its payment\n order, the originator’s bank has the right to recover.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 9; 2024, c. 652.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}