Bank apps and mobile money

Use your bank app and mobile money, safely. Bank apps and mobile money let you check your balance, send money, pay bills and buy airtime from your phone. They're fast and convenient. But because money is involved, safety always comes first.

What you can do

You can check your balance any time. You can send money to anyone with a bank account, in seconds. You can pay bills, like electricity and TV, and buy airtime and data. And many banks also offer U S S D codes, which you dial like a phone number, for banking without the internet. Here's a typical bank app. Your balance is at the top, with buttons to transfer money, buy airtime and data, and pay bills. To send money, enter the account number and choose the bank. The app then shows the account holder's name. Always check that name before you continue. If it doesn't match the person you're paying, stop. Then enter your transaction PIN. Cover the screen with your hand, and never tell anyone your PIN, not even someone who says they're from the bank.

Keep your money safe

Lock your phone and your bank app with a PIN, a pattern or your fingerprint. Never share your PIN, O T P or B V N with anyone. Check every credit alert in the app itself, not just the text message. Don't use your bank app on public Wi-Fi. And if your phone is lost or stolen, call your bank straight away to block your account and card.

Quick check

Quick check. Before you confirm a transfer, what should you check? That the account name matches the person you're paying. If it doesn't, stop and check the number. Options: That the account name matches the person you're paying; That your battery is full; That it's daytime; Nothing. Just send it..

Recap

Get your bank app from the official store. Check the account name before you send money. Keep your PIN, O T P and B V N secret. Check alerts in the app itself. And if your phone is lost, call your bank at once.

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