Losing an ATM or debit card can put your money at risk, particularly if the card falls into the wrong hands.
Whether your card was stolen, misplaced or retained by an ATM, the safest thing to do is block it immediately. You should not wait until you notice an unauthorized transaction before contacting your bank.
Fortunately, many Nigerian banks now allow customers to block lost or stolen cards through USSD, mobile banking apps, telephone banking and other self-service channels.
This guide provides the latest information on how to block a stolen or lost ATM card in Nigeria in 2026, including the available options for major Nigerian banks and financial institutions.
How to Block a Lost or Stolen ATM Card
The fastest method depends on your bank.
Some banks provide a dedicated USSD code, while others allow customers to block cards directly from their mobile banking applications.
If you still have access to your banking app, the usual process is:
1. Open your bank’s official mobile banking app.
2. Log in securely.
3. Go to Cards or Card Management.
4. Select the missing card.
5. Choose Block Card, Hotlist Card or the equivalent option.
6. Confirm the request.
If you do not have access to your app or internet, use your bank’s official USSD or customer-care channel.
ATM Card Blocking Codes for Nigerian Banks
The table below brings together the card-blocking methods currently confirmed from official bank sources.
Bank / Financial Institution| How to Block a Lost or Stolen Card
Access Bank| Call 01-2712005-7 or use the AccessMore app; “*901*911#” can deactivate the USSD profile
Ecobank| Contact Ecobank immediately through its official customer-care/security channels or visit a branch
FCMB| Block through the FCMB Mobile App or call 07003290000
Fidelity Bank| Dial “*770*911#”
FirstBank Call 0700 34778 2668228 or visit a branch
GTCO / GTBank| Dial “*737*51*10#”, use GTWorld/Internet Banking, or call GTConnect
Keystone Bank| Report immediately through a branch or the bank’s customer-care channel
Polaris Bank| Contact the bank through its official customer-care channels
Stanbic IBTC| Mobile app → More → Card Management → Block Card, or call 0700 909 9099
Sterling Bank| Block through the OneBank app or call 07008220000
Union Bank| Report immediately through UnionCare, WhatsApp or a branch
UBA| Dial “*919*10#” or send “Block Card” to Leo
Unity Bank| Contact Customer Care or your branch to hotlist the card
Wema Bank| Block through the bank’s app/card-management service or contact the bank
Zenith Bank| Request card blocking/replacement through Zenith Bank’s card services/branch channels
Jaiz Bank| Contact Jaiz Bank through its official customer-care channels
Lotus Bank| Contact Card Services on 0700 56887 2265 or email the bank
Parallex Bank| Contact the bank’s official customer-support channels
SunTrust Bank| Contact SunTrust through its official customer-care channels
OPay| Dial “*955*132#” to block a lost or stolen card
Moniepoint| App → Cards → select card → Block Card; USSD “*5573*911#” is also available
PalmPay| Use the PalmPay app/customer-support channel to report and block a lost card
VFD Microfinance Bank| Contact VFD through its official customer-support channels
Access Bank
Access Bank customers can block a lost or stolen debit card by calling the bank’s 24-hour Contact Centre on 01-2712005-7. The bank also provides card-management functionality through its digital channels.
Access Bank also lists “*901*911#” for deactivating the USSD profile, which is particularly important if your phone has also been lost or stolen.
Ecobank
Ecobank advises customers to report a lost or stolen card immediately through its customer-care/security channels. Its card information states that customers should contact the bank and that a lost or stolen card that has been blocked cannot simply be unblocked; a replacement card is issued.
Ecobank also provides a security centre for reporting card-related problems and fraud.
FCMB
FCMB customers can block a lost or stolen debit card through the FCMB Mobile App.
The bank also advises customers to contact its customer service on 07003290000 for assistance.
Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Bank has one of the simplest USSD options for blocking a missing card.
Dial:
“*770*911#”
Fidelity says the service can block cards when they are stolen or missing without requiring a visit to a branch.
Customers can also contact Fidelity Trueserve on 0700 343 35489, use WhatsApp or visit a branch.
FirstBank
FirstBank advises customers to promptly report a lost, stolen or compromised debit or credit card.
Customers can call:
0700 34778 2668228
FirstBank also provides customer-service numbers including 07080625000 and 02012278000.
If you have already reported the card as missing and it is later found, do not simply start using it again. FirstBank’s security guidance says customers should follow the bank’s instructions concerning a recovered card.
GTCO / GTBank
GTBank customers can block a misplaced Naira Mastercard through several channels.
The bank’s Help Centre currently lists:
USSD: “*737*51*10#”
Customers can also use:
– GTWorld
– Internet Banking
– GTConnect
Through GTWorld, customers can select the card and choose Block Card. GTConnect can also hotlist the card after authentication.
Keystone Bank
Keystone Bank’s card terms state that customers should report a lost or stolen card immediately. The bank says it will temporarily block the account/card to prevent unauthorized use after the loss is reported. Customers can contact the bank’s contact centre or visit a branch.
Stanbic IBTC
Stanbic IBTC customers can block their debit card directly from the mobile app.
The process is:
More → Card Management → Block Card
Select the card, provide the reason and complete the request.
Customers can also call 0700 909 9099 or email the bank’s customer-care team.
Sterling Bank
Sterling Bank customers can block a lost or stolen card through the OneBank mobile app.
The bank also advises customers to call 07008220000 for assistance.
UBA
UBA provides a dedicated USSD code for blocking lost or stolen cards.
Dial:
“*919*10#”
UBA customers can also send “Block Card” to Leo.
The bank advises customers to report a lost or stolen card to its Fraud Helpdesk or Customer Fulfilment Centre.
Union Bank
Union Bank advises customers to report lost or stolen cards immediately.
Customers can contact:
UnionCare: +234-02-012716816 or 07007007000
WhatsApp: 09070070001
Customers can also visit a Union Bank branch.
Unity Bank
Unity Bank says customers who lose their debit card should contact Customer Care or their branch to hotlist the card, preventing unauthorized transactions, and request a replacement.
Wema Bank
Wema Bank provides card-management options through its digital channels. Its prepaid-card support information states that customers can block a lost or stolen card in-app or contact the bank to block it.
Zenith Bank
Zenith Bank provides a formal Blocking & Replacement process for cards reported lost, stolen or involved in fraudulent activity.
Customers can request that the card be blocked and replaced through the bank’s card-services/branch process.
Lotus Bank
Lotus Bank advises customers to report lost or stolen cards promptly to its Card Services team.
The bank currently lists:
0700 56887 2265
It also provides [email protected] for fraud-related issues.
OPay
OPay provides dedicated USSD codes for customers whose cards or phones have been lost or stolen.
Lost/stolen card: “*955*132#”
Lost/stolen phone: “*955*131#”
OPay also lists 0700 8888 328 and 020 18888 328 for customer assistance.
Moniepoint
Moniepoint provides several ways to block a lost or stolen card.
Through the app:
Cards → select your card → Block Card
Moniepoint also provides a USSD option:
“*5573*911#”
Customers can select the card menu and follow the prompts to block their cards. The bank says the card becomes unusable after successful blocking.
Moniepoint also lists +234 201 888 9990 for customer support.
PalmPay
PalmPay customers should use the PalmPay app or the platform’s official customer-support channel to report a lost or stolen card and request that it be blocked.
Because card-management procedures can change, customers should use the current options displayed in the official PalmPay application rather than relying on an old USSD code published elsewhere.
What If Your Phone Was Stolen Along With Your ATM Card?
If your phone and ATM card were stolen at the same time, you should take additional action.
Blocking the card alone may not be enough if the thief can access your banking apps, SMS messages or USSD banking.
Immediately contact your bank and request that it:
– Block the ATM/debit card.
– Secure your account.
– Disable or restrict mobile banking where necessary.
– Deactivate your USSD profile if appropriate.
– Check for suspicious transactions.
You should also contact your mobile network operator to block the stolen SIM and obtain a replacement SIM.
For example, Access Bank provides “*901*911#” to deactivate its USSD profile, while OPay provides “*955*131#” for a lost or stolen phone.
What If You Already Notice an Unauthorized Transaction?
Contact your bank immediately.
Tell the bank that you did not authorize the transaction and ask for the relevant card or account access to be secured.
Keep any evidence, including:
– Transaction alerts
– SMS notifications
– Account statements
– Transaction reference numbers
– Screenshots
– Date and time of the transaction
Do not delete transaction messages until the matter has been resolved.
Should You Block the Card or the Entire Account?
It depends on what happened.
If you simply misplaced your ATM card, blocking the card may be sufficient.
However, if your phone, SIM, PIN, banking credentials or other security information was also compromised, tell your bank immediately. The bank may recommend additional measures, including restricting your account or digital-banking access.
Can a Blocked ATM Card Be Used Again?
Generally, once a card has been successfully blocked or hotlisted, it should no longer be usable for normal card transactions.
However, you should not assume that blocking a card automatically reverses transactions that occurred before the block.
That is why you should report the loss immediately.
Ecobank, for example, states that a lost or stolen card that has been blocked cannot simply be unblocked and that a replacement card will be issued.
What If You Find the Card After Blocking It?
Do not automatically start using it again.
Tell your bank that you have found the card and ask whether it can be reactivated.
Some banks permanently hotlist cards reported lost or stolen and require a replacement.
How to Get a Replacement ATM Card
After blocking the old card, contact your bank about getting a replacement.
Depending on the institution, you may be able to request a replacement through:
– Mobile banking
– Internet banking
– Customer service
– A branch
Replacement fees and delivery times vary from one institution to another.
For example, FirstBank currently provides card replacement options through its digital and branch channels, while Ecobank states that a replacement card can be issued after a lost or stolen card is blocked.
Important Safety Tips
To protect your money after losing your card:
– Block the card immediately.
– Never disclose your ATM PIN.
– Never give anyone your OTP.
– Never share your CVV with strangers.
– Do not provide your full card details to someone who calls claiming to be from your bank.
– Use only official bank websites, apps and telephone numbers.
– Monitor your account after reporting the card missing.
– Report unauthorized transactions immediately.
– If your phone was stolen, secure your SIM and mobile-banking access immediately.
Ecobank, for example, specifically warns customers never to disclose their card number, expiry date, CVV or PIN to people requesting such information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the general code for blocking an ATM card in Nigeria?
There is no single code that blocks ATM cards for every Nigerian bank. Each bank has its own system.
How do I block my ATM card without visiting the bank?
If your bank supports remote card blocking, you can use its USSD service, mobile app or telephone banking. For example, UBA uses “*919*10#”, Fidelity Bank uses “*770*911#”, GTCO uses “*737*51*10#”, and OPay uses “*955*132#”.
What should I do if I lose both my ATM card and phone?
Block the card first, then contact your bank to secure your account and deactivate relevant digital or USSD banking access. Contact your mobile network provider to block the stolen SIM as well.
Can someone withdraw money after my ATM card is blocked?
A successfully blocked card should not be available for normal card transactions. However, you should still monitor your account and report any unauthorized transaction immediately.
Do I need to report a stolen ATM card to the police?
Your bank may advise you to make a police report, particularly where the card was stolen or fraud has already occurred. Follow your bank’s instructions and keep a copy of any report you make.
Final Thoughts
A lost or stolen ATM card should never be ignored.
The safest response is to block the card immediately, then check your account for unauthorized transactions and contact your bank if anything suspicious appears.
There is no universal Nigerian code for blocking every bank card, but many banks now provide quick remote options. UBA, Fidelity Bank, GTCO, OPay and Moniepoint, for example, provide dedicated USSD methods, while banks such as Stanbic IBTC and Sterling Bank provide card blocking through their mobile apps.
Important: Banking procedures, USSD codes and customer-service numbers can change. Before using a code, verify it through your bank’s official website or customer-service channel.
