This can happen to anyone...

So here's a guide on “What to do” and “How to prepare for it”

Imagine this situation:
You earned money honestly, sold a car, or transferred your savings to another bank. Then you receive a request: “Please confirm the source of the funds.”

“It’s my money” may not be enough. The bank may need documents.


📁 What to keep, depending on the source of your money:

✅ Salary
Employment contract, income statements or payslips, and bank statements showing payments from your employer.

✅ Freelancing and self-employment
Contracts with clients, invoices, work completion certificates or other proof of completed work, and bank statements showing payments. Tax returns, if required for your type of work.

✅ Sale of an apartment, car or other property
The purchase and sale agreement, proof of ownership, and confirmation that you received payment. The amounts and dates in the documents should make it possible to link the sale to the incoming funds.

✅ Renting out a property
The rental agreement and proof of payments from the tenant.

✅ Investments
Brokerage statements, transaction and payment history, and proof of deposits and withdrawals. Keep documents showing the source of the money you originally invested, too.

✅ Cryptocurrency
Exchange exports, purchase and sale history, records of deposits and withdrawals, wallet addresses, and transaction IDs. You may also need to prove where the money used to buy crypto came from.

✅ Gift or inheritance
Documents confirming the gift and identifying the giver, or inheritance documents, plus proof that you received the money. The specific documents required depend on the country and the bank’s requirements.

✅ Transfer between your own accounts
Statements from both accounts: showing where the money came from and where it went. But a transfer to yourself only explains the movement of the money—the original source may also need to be verified.

🔎 Check your documents

They should make it clear:
• who owns the money;
• who paid and what for;
• when the money was received and in what amount;
• how this incoming payment is connected to the transaction the bank is asking about.

For example: you sold a car → received payment → transferred the money to another account of your own. Keep documents covering the entire chain.

🛠 What to do right now

Create a secure folder called “Source of Funds” and save contracts, statements, reports, and account statements there. Use clear file names, such as “Car sale — contract — 2026.”

Whenever possible, download official PDFs and data exports. Don’t rely solely on screenshots or assume the history will remain in the app forever.

📩 If the bank has already sent you a request

1. Verify it through the bank’s app or official support channel.
2. Find out which transaction is being reviewed, what documents are needed, and the deadline.
3. Write a brief explanation: the source of the money, the date, the amount, and what happened to it afterward.
4. Attach supporting documents and keep a copy of your correspondence.

Send documents through the bank’s official channel. Never share your passwords, SMS codes, or wallet seed phrase with anyone.

This checklist can help you prepare for a review, but it does not guarantee that your accounts won’t be blocked. Requirements vary by bank and country, so follow the specific request you receive.

Save this post and check: could you explain the source of your savings today? 👀