List of USSD codes to lock your bank account if your phone is stolen, misplaced

There is a strong indications that with the Central bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy, many people would open a bank account to key in into the new policy. This also implies that Nigerians would have to rely heavily on electronic means for transactions. While this will be good news, the cashless policy will further increase the number of electronic banking frauds.

In a report by Agusto&Co titled 2022 Consumer Digital Banking Satisfaction Index, it was revealed that approximately 59% of survey respondents had been fraud victims on the digital platforms of their respective banks.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had identified e-fraud as the greatest threat to digital finance. NCC further noted that the CBN said fraud has affected electronic payment solutions such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBBS) instant payment and mobile banking. In the words of the commission in Abuja, the director of Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen said:

“Attackers are now targeting telecoms networks to disrupt service delivery and infiltrate their data bank in addition to SIM swaps, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and e-payment fraud.”

Quick USSD codes to block bank account after losing a phone or ATM card:

1. Access- *901*911#
2. Zenith- *966*911#
3. GTB- *737*51*74#
4. WEMA- *945*911#
5. FirstBank- *894*911#
6. Keystone- *7111*911#
7. UBA- *919*911#
8. FCMB- *329*911#
9. Sterling Bank- *822*911#

Benefits of using USSD for online banking

• Open an account from anywhere.
• Service does not require filling out forms.
• No minimum opening balance is required to open a new account via USSD.
• Service attracts no charge.
• You have unlimited access to your account at any time.
• No dependency on the internet or third party.
• Available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
• Saves you the stress of queuing up in the banking halls

Getting started with USSD banking

A mobile transaction using USSD codes require account registration for first-timers and a PIN code (either 4 or 5 digits depending on the bank involved) which could be done by simply dialing the various bank USSD code (as seen below) and following the screen prompts. The PIN code serves as your security against fraudsters and would be required for all your next transactions.

All Bank’s USSD Short-codes For Money Transfer (Summary Table)