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If your BVN has been exposed

A leaked BVN doesn't let anyone take your money by itself. The risk is that scammers use it with other details, such as your phone number, to sound convincing or to open accounts and loans in your name. Your BVN can't be changed, so the goal is to stop it being misused.

Do this first

  1. Treat every call or message about your BVN as suspicious. Your bank will not ask you to confirm your BVN, PIN or an OTP by phone, SMS or WhatsApp.
  2. Look at your accounts. Check the last few weeks of transactions in each bank app. Note anything you don't recognise.
  3. Tell your bank. Call the number on the back of your card or in the official app. Say your BVN may be exposed and ask them to review your account security.
  4. Turn on transaction alerts by SMS or email for every account you have.

Then

  1. Check for loans or accounts you didn't open. Ask a credit bureau for your credit report and look for lenders you don't know.
  2. Make sure your phone number is safe. If it suddenly loses signal, read the SIM-swap guide.
  3. If money has gone, report to your bank first, then to the police. Keep every reference number.
  4. If a company leaked it, you can complain to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

Going forward

  • Share your BVN only with your bank or a lender you chose to use.
  • Don't post or send photos of your ID, bank card or bank statements.
  • Use a different password for every account, and keep your email the safest of all.