If someone gets into your bank account
Act within the hour if you can. The sooner your bank knows, the more it can do to stop money leaving or to get it back.
Do these now
- Call your bank. Use the number on the back of your card or inside the bank's official app. Never use a number from a text, email or WhatsApp message.
- Ask them to block access. Have them lock the account or card, and stop any transfers that are still pending.
- Write down what you see. Save the transaction references, amounts, times and any messages you received. Take screenshots before anything changes.
- Get a reference number for your report and ask what happens next and by when.
Then, the same day
- Change your bank app passcode and PIN from a phone you trust.
- Sign out other devices in the bank app if it lets you, and remove any device you don't recognise.
- Change your email password first, then your other passwords. Email can reset almost everything else.
- Check that your phone still works. If you lost signal without reason, read the SIM-swap guide.
- Report to the police and keep the report. Your bank may ask for it.
If the bank doesn't help
Put your complaint in writing and keep a copy. If the bank doesn't resolve it, you can take it to the Central Bank of Nigeria's consumer protection channels. Bring your reference numbers and your evidence.
Going forward
- Turn on transaction alerts by SMS or email.
- Set a daily transfer limit that suits you.
- Never share an OTP, a PIN or your BVN with anyone, including people who say they work for your bank.