How to block your bank account if your phone is stolen

If your phone or SIM card has been stolen, the thief may try to use your USSD banking to move money out of your account. The fastest protection is your bank's emergency code. Most Nigerian banks have one, it takes less than a minute, and many of them work from any phone, so you can borrow a friend's.

This guide shows what to do in the first few minutes, the codes for the main banks, and how to get your account and line back afterwards.

Do this in the first 10 minutes

1. Borrow a phone from a friend, family member or someone nearby.
2. Block your bank account with your bank's emergency code (below). If you have accounts in more than one bank or wallet, block each one.
3. Call your bank and tell them your phone was stolen. Ask them to confirm the block and check for any transactions you didn't make.
4. Block your SIM by calling your network's customer care from another phone.
5. Change your passwords for mobile banking apps and email from a safe device, once your accounts are blocked.

Speed matters. A thief who has your phone and has seen you type your PIN can empty an account quickly, so block first and investigate later.

Emergency codes for the main banks

Tap Dial on the code for your bank. Where a code works from any phone, you'll be asked for your account number or the phone number linked to your account, so have one of them ready.

If you use a fintech or digital bank, block that too:

Many other banks use the same pattern: their USSD code with 911 added, for example *XXX*911#. You'll find the right code for every bank on its page in the directory.

If the code asks for the "registered" phone

Some emergency codes only work from the phone number linked to your account, which is exactly the phone you've lost. If that happens:

• Call your bank's customer care line from any phone and ask them to place a post-no-debit or block on your account. Each bank's number is on its page in the directory.
• Visit any branch with a valid ID if you can't get through.

Block your SIM

Your bank code stops USSD banking, but the thief could still receive your one-time passwords (OTPs) by SMS. Call your network's customer care from another phone and ask them to block the SIM. They'll ask security questions to confirm it's you, such as recent numbers you called or your last recharge.

Report the theft

Report the theft at a police station and keep a copy of the report. Your bank and network may ask for it, and it helps if you need to dispute a transaction later.

Get your line and account back

• Your number: visit your network's service centre with a valid ID to get a replacement SIM with the same number. Your NIN must be linked to the line.
• Your account: your bank will tell you how to remove the block. Some banks let you do it from their app or website; others need a branch visit.
• USSD banking: once you have your SIM back, you may need to register for USSD banking again and create a new PIN.

Protect yourself before it happens

• Use a screen lock on your phone and a SIM PIN, so a stolen phone is harder to use.
• Never use your birthday or "1234" as your USSD PIN.
• Save your bank's emergency code and customer care number somewhere other than your phone, such as on paper in your wallet.

Bookmark the emergency codes page now, while you don't need it.