Losing a phone or credit/debit card is an inconvenience and puts your personal and financial information at risk of unauthorized access, which malicious entities can exploit to steal funds. This is often the case when financial apps such as Opay are installed on your mobile device. So, to ensure that your account remains secure after losing your phone or card, there are some steps you can take to block your Opay account.
An Overview Of Misplacing Phone With An Opay Account
Opay is one of the popular fintechs in Nigeria, offering an app for users to make different transactions. Since the 2023 cash crunch in Nigeria, Opay has become a household name among individuals and businesses as transactions are presumed to be fast and seamless on the platform.
Today, there are almost no traders who do not have an Opay account because they can easily send and receive funds without delay. So, while you can use the Opay app to make transactions, an Opay card also facilitates transactions at bank ATMs.
However, losing your phone or Opay card is possible, which could result in losing funds if you don’t take reactionary steps immediately. There was a case of theft that my neighbour’s mother suffered in 2023.
According to my neighbour, his mother is a trader and lost her phone with an Opay account at the market where she sells foodstuffs. The woman did not know then that her phone had been stolen, probably because of the large number of customers she was attending to.
The phone loss came to her attention when a customer made a payment into her Opay account, and she could not find her phone to confirm the payment. The woman did not take immediate action as she wanted to attend to all the customers before tending to her personal issue and getting a solution.
Unfortunately, by the time the woman retrieves her number to access her Opay account, the funds have been wiped off. This devastated the woman, as my neighbour blamed her lacklustre towards the phone theft. But, I think it is not only this woman who has suffered this fate, which is why we need to educate ourselves on the instant steps to take when you misplace a phone or card with an Opay account.
How To Block Your Opay Account
Step 1: Contact Support Opay Support
You must immediately reach out to the Opay customer support through their helpline or email to inform them about the loss and request for the blocking of your account. This should be the first point of call before anything else.
Step 2: Provide Necessary Information
Opay support may require certain information from you to confirm your identity and validate the account block request. Therefore, be ready to provide your details such as your registered phone number, email address, and any other relevant information.
Step 3: Follow Authentication Process
Some authentication processes may be in place to ensure the security of your Opay account. Provide any additional information or documents required to block the account. This is similar to the KYC (know your customer) procedure required on platforms.
Step 4: Change Your Password
Change the password to your Opay account when it has been blocked. This will prevent unauthorized access to your account.
Step 5: Monitor Your Opay Account
It is important to continue monitoring any activity on the account even after it has been blocked. This ensures that no fraudulent activity on the account may put your funds at a loss.
Other Steps To Block Your Opay Account
1. Use USSD Code
You can secure the account by dialling the code *955*131#. You will receive prompts to secure your phone with a few steps.
2. Contact Network Provider
You can visit the nearest office of your network provider (MTN, Glo, Airtel, or 9mobile) to block your SIM to prevent any transaction on the SIM card.
Meanwhile, Prestmit is another platform you can use for your transactions. You can create a Nigerian naira wallet on Prestmit to buy airtime, purchase data, pay electricity bills, subscribe to cable TV, and fund your betting wallet. This is a viable alternative to using Opay as Prestmit employs sophisticated security features to safeguard your funds on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blocking Your Opay Account
Can I Block My Opay Account After Losing My Phone?
You can block your Opay account by contacting customer support immediately to escalate the issue. You must provide your account details and other information to validate this request.
Will My Funds Be Safe If My Opay Is Blocked?
The safety of your funds largely depends on the timeliness of your request to block the account. You must contact Opay customer support for the request.
Can I Recover My Opay Account After Blocking?
You can recover your Opay account by contacting customer support and providing details while explaining your situation. The support team may need you to provide additional information or documentation to verify your identity. This could be a valid means of identification. Follow the recovery process as Opay will guide you.
Conclusion
It should be noted that nobody is immune to losing their phone or card, but the steps you take define the outcome. In line with the saying, “A stitch in time saves the nine,” it is imperative to take measures like reaching out to Opay customer support to block your account when you are at risk of losing your funds.
