A returned mobile ACH payment with code CONA means the bank that was supposed to receive your money rejected it because the account number or routing number you provided did not match an actual account at that bank.
When you send money through ACH (Automated Clearing House), your bank sends a request to another bank asking it to pull money from a specific account. If that receiving bank cannot find an account matching the number you gave, it sends the payment back with a reason code. CONA stands for "Corrected On Next Attempt" — but that name is misleading. It does not mean the payment will automatically try again. It means the receiving bank found a problem that could be fixed if you try once more with the correct information.
The most common cause is a typo in the account number or routing number. The second most common is giving an account number that is the right length and format for one bank but does not actually exist at that bank. Either way, your money comes back to your account, usually within one to three business days.
Key Takeaways
- CONA means the receiving bank could not find the account number you provided, so it rejected the payment and sent your money back.
- The payment does not retry automatically — you must send it again with the correct account and routing numbers.
- Check the account number and routing number against a recent statement or bank website before sending the payment a second time.
- If the payment was supposed to pay a bill or send money to someone else, contact them to let them know it failed so they do not expect the money.
- Your bank may charge a fee for the returned payment, though many banks waive the fee if you correct the information and resend within a set time.
How to find the correct account and routing numbers
Before you resend the payment, you need the correct information. Ask the person or business you were sending money to for their account number and routing number. Tell them you received a CONA return code, which means one of those numbers did not match their bank's records.
If you are sending money to a business (like a utility company or loan servicer), call their customer service line and ask them to confirm both numbers. Many businesses have a payment page on their website that shows you exactly which account to send money to. If you are sending money to a person, ask them to check their own bank statement or log into their online banking to verify the numbers before they give them to you again.
Do not assume the numbers are correct just because they came from the person or business the first time. People make typos when they write down or type their own account numbers. It happens often enough that it is worth double-checking.
What happens to your money while the payment is returned
Your money is not lost. When the receiving bank rejects the payment, it sends it back through the ACH network to your bank. Your bank then puts the money back into your account. This process usually takes one to three business days, though it can take up to five in some cases.
During that time, the money is in transit and you cannot spend it. Once it lands back in your account, you will see it as available again. Some banks show returned ACH payments as a separate line item on your statement so you can see what happened. Others just show the money returning without a detailed note.
Fees you might see for a returned payment
Some banks charge a fee when an ACH payment is returned. The fee is usually between $0 and $15, depending on your bank and the type of account you have. Not all banks charge this fee — some waive it, especially if you are a long-time customer or if you correct the information and resend the payment within a certain time frame (often 30 days).
Check your bank's fee schedule or call customer service to find out whether you will be charged and whether the fee can be waived. If you are charged and think it is unfair, you can ask your bank to reverse it. Banks sometimes do, particularly if the error was on the receiving bank's side or if you are a good customer with no history of problems.
How to prevent CONA returns in the future
The simplest way to avoid a CONA return is to verify the account and routing numbers before you send the payment. If someone gives you those numbers verbally, ask them to spell out the account number digit by digit. If they send it in writing, read it back to them to confirm.
For businesses you pay regularly, save the correct account and routing numbers in your bank's system or in a note on your phone so you do not have to ask again. Many banks let you store payee information so you can reuse it for future payments without re-entering the numbers each time.
If you are sending money to someone for the first time, send a small test amount first — $1 or $5 — and wait a few days to make sure it goes through. If it does, you know the numbers are correct and you can send the full amount. This takes a little longer but saves you from sending a large payment to the wrong account.
What to do if the payment was supposed to pay a bill
If you were trying to pay a bill and the payment was returned, contact the company or person you owe money to right away. Tell them the payment failed and that you are sending it again with the correct information. This is important because they may not know the payment bounced, and they might think you are late or not paying at all.
Ask them whether the failed payment will show up on your credit report or result in a late fee. Most companies will not penalize you if you contact them quickly and resend the payment within a few days. Some will even extend your due date if you explain what happened.
Keep a record of the date you contacted them and what they told you. If a late fee or credit report issue comes up later, you will have proof that you tried to pay on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the payment automatically go through if I just wait?
No. CONA means the bank found a problem that could be corrected, but the payment does not retry on its own. You must resend it with the correct account and routing numbers. If you do not resend it, the money stays in your account and the bill or person you were paying never receives it.
Can I dispute a CONA return as fraud or an error?
You can contact your bank and ask them to investigate, but CONA is not fraud — it is a technical rejection because the account number did not match. Your bank will likely tell you to resend the payment with the correct information. If you believe the receiving bank made an error in rejecting the payment, ask your bank to contact them on your behalf, though this is uncommon.
Does a CONA return hurt my credit score?
A returned ACH payment itself does not hurt your credit score. However, if the payment was supposed to pay a bill and you do not resend it, a late payment could be reported to credit bureaus. Resend the payment as soon as you have the correct information to avoid that outcome.
How long do I have to resend the payment?
There is no official time limit, but you should resend it as soon as possible. If it was a bill payment, check the original due date and try to resend before that date passes. If it was money to a person, contact them to let them know it failed and when you will try again.
What if the account number is correct but the routing number is wrong?
The receiving bank will still reject it with a CONA code because the routing number tells the ACH network which bank to send the money to. If the routing number is wrong, the payment goes to the wrong bank, which then rejects it because that bank has no record of the account. Always verify both numbers before resending.