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An electronic funds transfer (EFT) is a transfer initiated electronically to instruct or authorize a financial institution to debit or credit a consumer’s account. In the United States, that is the definition used by Regulation E; whether a particular payment is covered depends on how it works and the account involved.

What does EFT mean?

Under U.S. Regulation E, an electronic fund transfer is “any transfer of funds that is initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone, computer, or magnetic tape for the purpose of ordering, instructing, or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit a consumer’s account.” The definition appears in 12 CFR 1005.3(b)(1).

In everyday terms, an EFT moves money electronically rather than by handing over cash or delivering a paper check for payment. The legal definition is narrower than the everyday phrase: it focuses on a transfer that authorizes a financial institution to debit or credit a consumer account.

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What are common examples of EFTs?

Examples identified in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Regulation E materials include:

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  • ATM transactions, including certain deposits and transfers
  • Direct deposits, such as payroll or Social Security payments
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  • Telephone-initiated transfers
  • ACH transfers
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  • Some transfers through mobile payment services or person-to-person (P2P) apps

The CFPB lists these transaction types in its Regulation E overview and official interpretation of § 1005.3. These are examples, not a blanket ruling that every transaction using an ATM, card, bank transfer, or payment app receives Regulation E protections.

Which payments are covered by Regulation E?

Regulation E generally concerns EFTs that debit or credit a consumer account at a financial institution. The CFPB explains that covered accounts include checking, savings, and other consumer asset accounts held directly or indirectly by a financial institution and established primarily for personal, family, or household purposes; prepaid accounts can also be covered. The account and transaction details matter, so the label “electronic transfer” alone does not establish coverage.

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Can P2P or mobile payments be EFTs?

They can be. The CFPB says qualifying P2P and mobile payment transactions may fall under Regulation E when they meet the definition, including certain transfers involving debit cards, ACH, prepaid accounts, or other electronic transfers to or from consumer accounts. App activity is not automatically covered simply because it happens electronically. See the CFPB’s Electronic Fund Transfers FAQs.

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How do EFTA and Regulation E differ?

The Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) is the federal statute that establishes a framework for rights, liabilities, and responsibilities in electronic fund transfer systems. Regulation E, found at 12 CFR Part 1005, implements the statute. Its rules address subjects including disclosures, receipts, preauthorized transfers, liability, and error resolution. The CFPB describes its purpose as protecting consumers “when they use electronic fund and remittance transfers.”

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A definition alone does not determine the outcome of a dispute or establish a particular deadline or liability limit. Those questions depend on the applicable rule and the facts of the transfer. The CFPB’s Regulation E page states that Part 1005 was most recently amended April 19, 2023; its EFT compliance resources identify an EFTA FAQ issued January 15, 2025, about the compulsory-use prohibition. Consult the current official text for a specific legal question.

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