Your Phone is Gone — But Your Money Does Not Have to Go With It
Every Nigerian who uses mobile banking carries a quiet risk in their pocket. The moment a phone is snatched, falls into the wrong hands, or goes missing, every naira sitting in every app on that device is potentially exposed. A thief who finds a phone with an unlocked banking app, a saved USSD PIN, or access to a registered SIM card can drain an account within minutes.
The good news is that Nigerian banks and fintech platforms have made it possible to block your account within seconds — from any phone, without internet, without the stolen device. The bad news is that most Nigerians only discover this after they have already lost money.
This guide gives you the exact steps to block your account at every major Nigerian bank and fintech app the moment your phone is stolen, so you can act immediately rather than learning the hard way.
The First 60 Seconds — What to Do Immediately
Before touching any bank-specific code, there is a priority sequence that matters in the first minute after you realize your phone has been stolen.
Borrow a phone immediately. Do not wait to get home, do not wait to file a police report, do not wait for anything. Borrow a phone from anyone nearby — a stranger, a shop owner, a passerby — and begin blocking your accounts.
Know your account number. This is the one piece of information you should memorize or keep written somewhere safe that is not on your phone. Most bank USSD blocking codes require you to enter your account number to confirm the block. If you cannot remember it, move to calling your bank’s customer care number directly.
Move in this order: Block your most-used fintech apps first (OPay, PalmPay, Moniepoint) because these have the least friction to access and are often unlocked on a stolen phone. Then block your primary commercial bank accounts. Then call your telecom provider to block your SIM.
USSD Codes to Block All Major Nigerian Bank Accounts Instantly
These codes work from any phone — you do not need the stolen device, you do not need internet, and you do not need to be in a bank branch.
Bank | USSD Block Code | Notes
Access Bank | 901911# | Follow prompts, enter registered phone number
Zenith Bank | 966911# | Enter account number when prompted
GTBank (Guaranty Trust) | 7375174# | Disables USSD profile immediately
First Bank | 894911# | Follow prompts to block account
UBA (United Bank for Africa) | 919911# | Works from any phone
FCMB | 329911# | Follow prompts to complete block
Fidelity Bank | 770911# | Enter registered phone number
Wema Bank / ALAT | 945911# | Works from any phone
Sterling Bank | 822911# | Follow instructions to block
Keystone Bank | 7111911# | Works from any phone
Ecobank | 326911# | Follow prompts to complete block
Stanbic IBTC Bank | 9091911# | Works from any phone
Unity Bank | 7799911# | Enter phone number when prompted
Union Bank | Send “BLOCK CARD NUBAN” to 20123 | SMS-based, include your account number
Polaris Bank | Contact customer care directly | Call 07002255572637
Important note: No single code works for all Nigerian banks. Each bank has its own emergency block code. The codes listed above are specific to each bank and must be dialled exactly as shown. After dialling, you will receive prompts — follow them carefully.
How to Block GTBank Account in Detail
GTBank’s block process is among the most straightforward for existing USSD users.
Via USSD: Dial 73751*74# from any phone to disable your GTBank USSD profile immediately. Alternatively, dial *737# and navigate to Security Options, then select Block Account. This stops all USSD-based transactions from your account.
Via GTBank customer care: Call 07003000329 or 01-4480000. Inform the agent that your phone has been stolen and request an immediate account block. Have your account number ready for verification.
Via email: Send an email to gtconnect@gtbank.com marked urgent, with your account details and the request to freeze the account.
How to Block Access Bank Account in Detail
Via USSD: Dial 901911# from any phone. You will be prompted to enter the phone number linked to your account and select the reason for blocking. Follow the prompts to complete the freeze.
Via customer care: Call 01-2712005 or 07003000000. Request an emergency account block and provide your account number.
How to Block First Bank Account in Detail
Via USSD: Dial 894911# from any phone. Follow the prompts, entering your registered phone number when asked.
Via SMS: Send the word BLOCK to 30012 via text message from any phone. First Bank will process the block request based on the phone number associated with your account.
Via customer care: Call 01-4485500 or 0800FIRSTCONTACT (08003477826682).
How to Block Zenith Bank Account in Detail
Via USSD: Dial 966911# from any phone. You will be prompted to enter your account number. Follow the instructions to stop debit transactions on your account.
Via customer care: Call 01-2787000 or 0700ZENITHBANK. Request an immediate account freeze citing phone theft.
How to Block OPay Account When Phone is Stolen
OPay requires a slightly different approach since it is app-based, but the USSD option makes it fast.
Via USSD: Dial 955131# from any available phone to block your OPay wallet immediately. This code works on any phone — you do not need the stolen device. All transactions stop immediately once the code is processed.
To also block your OPay ATM card: Dial 955132# from any available phone.
Via customer care: Call OPay support on 0700 8888328 or 018888328. Inform them your phone was stolen and request an account freeze. Provide your registered phone number and account details.
Via email: Email customerservice@opay-inc.com with the subject line: URGENT: Block Stolen Account. Include your registered phone number and account details.
Important note: The USSD code 955131# is the fastest and most reliable option. Use it first before anything else when your OPay phone is stolen
How to Block PalmPay Account When Phone is Stolen
PalmPay does not currently have a public USSD block code. The available options are:
Via customer care: Contact PalmPay support immediately through the app (if accessible from another device) or email support@palmpay.com. Include your registered phone number, email address, and a clear statement that your phone has been stolen and you need the account blocked immediately.
Via in-app security settings: If you have access to another device where you can log into PalmPay, navigate to Security settings and select the account lock option.
Important note: Because PalmPay does not have a widely publicised USSD emergency block code, calling or emailing customer support is your fastest route. Response times vary — follow up immediately if you do not get a response within 30 minutes.
How to Block Moniepoint Account When Phone is Stolen
Via USSD: Dial 3897# from any phone to block your Moniepoint account and prevent unauthorized transactions immediately.
Via customer care: Call Moniepoint support on 012345678. Inform them that your phone has been stolen and request an immediate account block. You will need to provide your registered email address, phone number, and account username for verification.
Via email: Send an email to support@moniepoint.com explaining that your phone has been stolen and requesting an account block. Include your registered phone number and email address linked to the account.
How to Block Kuda Bank Account When Phone is Stolen
Via the Kuda app (another device): Log into Kuda on another phone or tablet using your credentials. Go to More, then Account Details, and tap Block Account to immediately prevent unauthorized transactions.
Via customer care: Contact Kuda support through their in-app chat on another device, or email help@kuda.com. Kuda does not currently have a widely published emergency USSD block code, making the app-based or email route the standard approach.
Emergency Contact Numbers for All Major Nigerian Banks and Fintechs
Bank / Fintech | Customer Care Number | Email
Access Bank | 01-2712005 / 07003000000 | contactcenter@accessbankplc.com
Zenith Bank | 01-2787000 / 0700ZENITHBANK | zenith@zenithbank.com
GTBank | 07003000329 / 01-4480000 | gtconnect@gtbank.com
First Bank | 01-4485500 / 08003477826682 | info@firstbanknigeria.com
UBA | 07002255822 | customer.care@ubagroup.com
FCMB | 07003290000 | contactcenter@fcmb.com
Fidelity Bank | 08007003000 | fidelity@fidelitybank.ng
Wema Bank | 01-4616800 | wema360@wemabank.com
Sterling Bank | 07008220000 | one@sterling.ng
Stanbic IBTC | 01-4222222 | contactcentre@stanbicibtc.com
OPay | 0700 8888328 | customerservice@opay-inc.com
PalmPay | In-app support | support@palmpay.com
Moniepoint | 012345678 | support@moniepoint.com
Kuda | In-app support | help@kuda.com
After Blocking Your Account — What to Do Next
Blocking your bank account stops the immediate bleeding. But there are additional steps you must complete in the hours and days that follow.
Block your SIM card: Call your telecom provider immediately — MTN (180), Airtel (121), Glo (121), 9Mobile (200) — and report your SIM as stolen. Ask them to block the SIM temporarily. This prevents a thief from receiving OTP messages that could be used to reset your banking passwords.
File a police report: Visit the nearest police station and file a report. Request a copy of the report for your records. This document is important if you need to dispute fraudulent transactions with your bank or pursue insurance claims.
Visit your bank branch: Within 24 hours, visit your bank’s nearest branch with a valid ID, your account number, and your police report. The branch will guide you through restoring your account, issuing a new ATM card, and reviewing any suspicious transactions that occurred before the block.
Report any fraudulent transactions: If money was moved from your account before the block, report it immediately to your bank. Banks are required to investigate and may reverse fraudulent transactions if reported promptly.
Change all passwords: Once you have a new phone and SIM, update passwords for all your banking apps, email accounts, and any other services the thief may have had access to through your phone.
Register a new BVN-linked number: If your stolen SIM was your BVN-registered number, you will need to update your registered phone number across all your bank accounts to your new number.
How to Prevent This From Happening Again
Prevention is always less painful than recovery. Here are the practical steps every Nigerian mobile banking user should take now, before anything goes wrong.
Set a strong lock screen PIN: A six-digit or longer lock screen PIN means a thief cannot open your phone in the first place. Avoid using your birth year, 1234, or any obvious pattern.
Enable app-level PINs: Most banking apps have their own PIN or biometric login separate from the phone lock screen. Make sure this is activated on every banking app.
Know your account numbers. Write them in a safe place that is not on your phone. You need this number to complete the USSD block process.
Save emergency banking contacts. Store your banks’ customer care numbers on a separate note, in your email, or with a trusted family member. You may need them from a borrowed phone.
Enable transaction notifications. Keep SMS and push notifications active on all your accounts so you are immediately alerted to any suspicious transaction.
Never save your banking password in plain text on your phone. Notes apps, gallery screenshots, and WhatsApp messages to yourself are not secure storage.
Has your phone ever been stolen in Nigeria and you lost money, or are you trying to figure out the right codes and contacts for your specific bank? Drop your question in the comments — we break down Nigerian banking security and account management in plain language at arochukwublog.com.
