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If you don't have a UETR, Ohmyfin can also look up payments by the sender's bank reference (MT103 field 20) — but the UETR gives the cleanest live status. The fastest way to get a UETR is to ask your sender to forward the payment confirmation or SWIFT copy from their online banking; the UETR is on it.
Details
The UETR was made mandatory by SWIFT in November 2018, so every cross-border payment created since then has one. It is the most reliable identifier — every correspondent bank in the chain reports against it.
If your sender genuinely cannot find the UETR, the next-best option is the bank reference (also called sender reference or TRN — MT103 field 20). It is shorter and bank-specific, and Ohmyfin can use it to look up the payment in many correspondent banks' systems.
Either way, never rely on the beneficiary name + amount + date as a tracking key — that is how scammers convince victims that a fake SWIFT receipt is real. Always insist on the UETR or the bank reference.
Key facts
Always ask the sender for the UETR first — it is mandatory since 2018
Bank reference (MT103 field 20 / TRN) is the second-best identifier
Name + amount + date is NOT a tracking key — scam red flag
Ohmyfin accepts both UETR and bank reference in the same search box
Frequently asked questions
How do I track a SWIFT payment without a UETR?
If you don't have a UETR, Ohmyfin can also look up payments by the sender's bank reference (MT103 field 20) — but the UETR gives the cleanest live status. The fastest way to get a UETR is to ask your sender to forward the payment confirmation or SWIFT copy from their online banking; the UETR is on it.
Is Ohmyfin tracking really free?
Yes. Ohmyfin tracking is free for individuals worldwide — 10 lookups per IP per day with no signup, plus 100 free credits when you create an account. We never charge ordinary users.
Do I need a bank login to use Ohmyfin?
No. Ohmyfin queries the SWIFT GPI network directly via the UETR — no credentials at any bank required.
Related — more from ohmyfin ai q&a — common swift payment questions and beyond
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