Modulus check

Part of Validate Plus

Our Modulus Check tool is essential for managing ID verification and staying Bacs compliant.

Using the EISCD (Extended Industry Sort Code Directory), it instantly validates that a bank account exists, is active and enabled for Direct Debit, Faster Payments and CHAPS transactions.

Stay Bacs compliant

A modulus check verifies the validity of a bank account number and sort code combination before processing a payment, and uses algorithms to check that details follow the correct structure and rules defined by UK banks.

 

This ensures more of your payments are correct first time, saving you time and money. Let’s talk about how your business can benefit from our Modulus Check tools

See how a Modulus Check works within Validate Plus:

A Modulus Check lets you:

More revenue. Less payment chasing

A modulus check helps ensure bank details are valid before a payment is sent, meaning fewer failed transactions, refunds, or delays.

By cutting down on costly admin and payment errors, businesses spend less time chasing customers and more time serving them. The result: smoother cash flow, reduced overheads, and more revenue staying where it belongs – on your bottom line.

Instant check

Automatically checks account details at point of collection

Data accuracy

Verifies sort code and account number are correct

Real-time data

Checks account details against live banking data

Bank specific

An algorithmic validation check against bank pre-defined criteria

Other Validate Plus tools

Our modulus check tool improves payment accuracy, saving you time and money. Using the EISCD, it instantly verifies that a bank account exists, is active, and supports Direct Debit, Faster Payments, and CHAPS.

This helps prevent fraud, protect cash flow, and ensure compliance with Bacs scheme rules.

Our Validate Plus email validation tool ensures your emails reach active recipients by instantly verifying format, account activity, and deliverability. By validating emails at the point of collection, it helps reduce operational costs and prevent issues caused by poor data.

Our postcode validation tool ensures accurate customer addresses using Royal Mail’s Postcode Address File (PAF).

Widely accepted for KYC by banks, it is essential for verifying addresses when setting up Direct Debit payments.

Our phone number validation tool instantly verifies landline and mobile numbers at the point of collection, saving time and improving data accuracy. It enhances communication, provides valuable business insights, and ensures Bacs compliance.

Confirmation of Payee (CoP) ensures payments reach the intended recipient by instantly verifying that the sort code and account number match the account holder.

This adds a strong layer of fraud protection, prevents financial loss, and is widely accepted as a KYC check by banks and the Bacs scheme.

Got a question? Great, that's why we're here

We’re always on hand to answer any questions and give advice. Click the button below to reach out. 

Frequently asked questions

What is a modulus check and why is it used for bank account validation?

A modulus check is a calculation used to confirm whether a sort code and account number combination follows UK banking rules. It helps determine if bank details are structurally valid before payments are submitted. This is an essential check required to meet Bacs compliance.

By testing bank details against established algorithms, modulus checking identifies incorrect account numbers or sort codes before a payment file is processed, reducing rejected transactions.

Most UK banks follow the modulus checking standards defined by the banking industry. These rules are maintained by UK Finance and applied across payment systems that process account details.

Yes, modulus validation runs automatically before payment submission to detect invalid combinations of bank details, helping organisations correct errors before sending transactions.

Validating bank details in advance prevents payment failures and rejected files, allowing organisations to submit Bacs payment files with greater confidence and accuracy.

Our team of Bacs experts are here to help

Contact us to book a demo, take a closer look at our platform and get all the answers you need.

paygate v3 features & benefits

Single sign-on *Coming in 2024 for V3

 paygate on prempaygate v2paygate v3
Security policy manager * Includes: password complexity manager, inactive timeout, time restrictions, IP address restrictions
AWS ISO27001 hosted * Primary fail over and back up UK data centres
 
SFTP file uploads/downloads *Secure way to move files across the internet, customers can use their own certificates
Gemalto security tokens MFA
Email MFA  
SMS MFA
APP MFA *
Works with common auth apps such as Google Authenticator, Authy.
Works on Android or iOS.
  
PG Platform ISO27001  
Fraud tool *Currently support Blacklists and Whitelists.
In a blacklist you add various sortcodes / account numbers and the system will prevent any payment to those accounts.
In a whitelist you add sortcodes and account numbers and the system will ONLY allow payments to accounts on the whitelist.
We include various tools to help build and maintain the lists.
  
GDPR subject access request *
Search tools to help perform a GDRP lookup.
Then can optionally ‘sanitise’ personal data from the system.
GDPR Data cleansing *Remove historical data by bulk or individual.
  
Browser compatbility *
We maintain support for Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
  
Built for performance *
Version 3 runs on super modern, high-end infrastructure
  
Single Platform *
Customers have a single user account that they can use across all services (Enterprise, Online, Validate, etc).
  
Agent rebuilt key management system *
Very secure way to get files to and from the Paygate cloud.
Supports ways to automate files being sent into the paygate cloud and retrieving reports from the cloud.
Key management was rebuilt for V3 to further increase security.
  
HTTPS uploads/downloads *

paygate v3 supports both SFTP and HTTPS.
  
In browser File and Folder handling *
Allows customers to securely organise their files and folders that are stored on paygate
  
PG on prem PG Ev2 PGv3
Logging tickets by email
Logging tickets by portal
Logging tickets by phone
Dedicated account management
Uptime improvements
Ongoing development
Bug fixing
Auto File Import *Automatically imports a payment file and validates it. Users no longer need to manually browse for and import a file, paygate will do this in the background and present the validation results to the user.
PG on prem PG Ev2 PGv3
Designer in browser * In V2 Workflows use an older style desktop app. In V3 workflows are built and managed in the Paygate Browser app. It’s much easier to deploy and manage.
Designer 3rd party app
Improved logging * A feature mainly for PS/CS to help them diagnose problems with workflows. Problems can be diagnosed and fixed faster.
New scheduler triggers * A new trigger type that allows the user to set up a workflow like you set up a meeting in Outlook. For some, this is more flexible and easier to understand than using CRON.
Triggers for multiple workflows * You can use a single trigger to start multiple workflows. It’s a simple feature that will make things easier to manage if you have a lot of workflows.
Workflow validation * Troubleshoots new workflows, validation
Workflow chaining * Allows a workflow to call another workflow. Using this you can simplify large complicated workflows in smaller separate ones. Easier to manage and diagnose issues.
New nodes * Various new nodes that help to build new types of workflows or help manage existing workflows.
Full documentation V3 will be fully documented with help guides and tutorials.
and tutorials *
Multiple filename variables * Supporting multiple filename variables should make designing complex workflows a bit easier.
Future developments * Pure Excel Importer – XLSX; BACS Calendar Widget; Workflow Timeline; Workflow / Mobile App notification / management; S3 Connector
Download and distribute A Reports * When you have workflow and HSM you can automate the entire BACS report download process. They can automatically be converted to other formats for integration into finance apps. They can be emailed to customers as html, pdf or zips. They can be made available for collection via SFTP. Or, if you use Agent, they can be security delivered to the customer’s private network.
Partial submission
Lightsout submission * No signing
Standard nodes for initiation
PG on prem PG Ev2 PGv3
Batched bureau submissions
Manual & Automated submission builder
Customer import
Bacs reporting tools
Recall Bureau Customers by ID
Submission Re-entry * Complete your submissions over any amount of time
Familiar workflow throughout *It will be familiar to V2 customer but they will notice improvements.
Revamped manual submission mode *This is completely new in V3 Bureau. Those customers wanting a more manual way of building their submission (Rather than using Jobs) will find a new, efficient way of working.
Drag and drop files from anywhere *Like in other areas of V3. User can just drag and drop file in Bureau for processing. They can also use the Restricted File Browser and Server file browser – that add more security – if they wish.
Support for multiple file formats per submission * No longer limited to single Standard 18 submission for example
Better default filename support *Makes working with files easier.
Usage Reporting over data range *Small but useful improvement to reporting. User can set a date range on the usage report.
PG on prem PG Ev2 PGv3
Validate *Validate is integrated in V3 and so customers that have both products can access them from the same client with the same account.
API Access *Validate API and the Payment API.
4x Faster
Save Submissions *Save an ‘in-progress’ submission and return to it later. Build up a submission during the day
Improved payment and submission searching
Customisable dashboard *Many useful, module specific, dashboard widgets, e.g. Payments, collections, workflow, etc.
PG on prem PG Ev2 PGv3
Enhanced reporting including real-time usage

Thank you for your interest in paygate v3.

Please complete the form below and your Account Manager will be in touch to arrange a call.