What is a linked funding source?¶

A linked funding source is a bank account, card, stored balance or other payment method connected to an online payment or wallet account.

Avoid the dangerous assumption¶

The dangerous assumption is that the funding source and wallet account belong to the same person.

A user may link their own bank account or card, but they may also link a joint account, business card, family member’s card or compromised payment instrument.

The funding source may be used automatically when the wallet balance is insufficient or selected for a particular transaction.

Relevant records may include the masked account or card details, date linked, verification method, device, session, authentication event and later removal.

A payment provider may also hold records showing which funding source was used for each transaction.

Preserve the funding-source identifier, linked account or card details, transaction reference, timestamp and verification records.

Ask the provider when the source was added, how ownership was checked and which devices or sessions used it.

Compare the provider record with the bank or card issuer’s records.

Do not assume that successful verification proves exclusive ownership or personal use. Small test charges, one-time codes or account login may be completed by another person with access.

A funding source can also remain linked after a physical card is replaced or an account holder changes devices.

When reporting, distinguish the wallet account, underlying funding source and person proven to control each one.

Operational takeaway¶

Trace the linked funding source separately from the wallet account and establish who added, controlled and used each payment method.