Initiate a Fedwire wire recall and understand the reclamation rules for misdirected payments

Steps

1. Identify the original wire using the Fedwire IMAD (Input Message Accountability Data) from your originating bank's confirmation; the IMAD is the canonical reference for all recall communications
2. Contact your originating bank immediately — wire recalls are time-sensitive and the beneficiary bank's obligation to cooperate diminishes after a defined period; most cooperative recalls occur within the same business day
3. Your bank sends a Fedwire Service Recall message or an administrative message to the receiving bank requesting return of funds; the specific message format depends on whether the recall occurs same-day or cross-day
4. The receiving bank is not obligated to return funds under Fedwire rules if the beneficiary has already spent or withdrawn them; however, if the wire was a mistake (wrong account, wrong amount), the beneficiary bank should hold pending investigation
5. If the receiving bank refuses to return funds voluntarily, pursue recovery through state law (money had and received) or UCC Article 4A claims; document all communications with timestamps for litigation support
6. After recall completion, post a reversal entry in your ledger and reconcile the original wire debit against the incoming recall credit — do not reverse the original debit until funds are confirmed received