Sometimes, you might dial your bank’s USSD code and see a message saying ‘Sorry, you are blacklisted and can’t use USSD services.’ But don’t worry, we’ll explain why this happens and how you can fix it.
Sorry you are blacklisted and can’t use USSD services
If you’ve been blacklisted from using your bank’s USSD services, it means there are restrictions placed on your account because of some problems. Sadly, this stops you from doing things like mobile banking, buying airtime, and sending money.
It can be really annoying and makes you wonder about what happened. But don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Many people in Nigeria have faced the same thing. It’s just important to know what being blacklisted from USSD services means.
Before we dive into why someone might be blacklisted, let’s first understand what USSD services are all about. USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It’s a term for a technology used by mobile network operators to offer services like checking your balance, buying airtime, paying bills, and doing banking on your phone.
For First Bank, their USSD code is *894#, for GTBank it’s *737#, for Zenith Bank it’s *966#, for UBA it’s *919#, for Access Bank it’s *901#, for Union Bank it’s *826#, and so on. By dialing these codes, you can check your account balance, send money, pay bills, and more.
It’s a fast and simple way to manage your account without going to an ATM or bank. Plus, you don’t even need the internet to use it.
What does it mean to be blacklisted from USSD by your bank
Being blacklisted means that your phone number has been put on a restriction list by your bank that says you can’t use certain USSD services. Here’s why it might happen:
- If your bank sees anything fishy or suspicious with your phone number, like if it’s linked to any suspicious or fraudulent activity, they might stop you from using those services for a while to keep your money safe.
- Sometimes, if there are technical glitches or problems with your network, your phone number might get blocked for a bit until everything gets fixed. This can happen if the connection is slow, causing issues when you try to perform a transaction with your bank’s USSD.
- If you keep typing the wrong USSD codes on your phone or giving the wrong replies, your bank might think something is up and stop you from using those services. They do this to protect your account from potential scams.
How to unblock my bank USSD code
If you can’t use USSD services because you’ve been blacklisted, here’s what you can do to fix it and get back to using your account:
Visit an ATM
You can still go to an ATM to perform basic transactions like checking your balance, withrawing money, and sending money to others.
Go to a bank branch
If you need to talk to someone from the bank or do something complicated, you can go to a branch nearby.
Use online banking
Your bank has online banking platform where you can see your account and perform transactions like paying bills or transferring funds.
Contact your bank
Call or email your bank’s customer service to find out why you’ve been blacklisted and how to fix it. Or go to a branch and ask in person.
Update your account
If your bank account information is not updated, you might be denied access to the bank’s USSD service. Make sure all your information with the bank is correct and up to date.. They might ask for some documents to check who you are.
Deal with any problems
Owing your bank can also deny you access to your bank USSD. If you owe money to the bank, try to pay it back as soon as possible. You can do this online or by going to the bank.
Follow the bank’s rules
Do what the bank tells you to do to get off the blacklist. Check in with them often to see if it’s been fixed. Once everything’s sorted out, make sure to follow the bank’s guidelines so you don’t get blacklisted again.
ConclusionÂ
Although being blacklisted from USSD services can be frustrating, there are still ways to manage your account and do basic transactions. If you’re still having problems, leave a comment below, and don’t hesitate to contact your bank’s customer service for help. Just remember to use your USSD code carefully and avoid typing in wrong codes to avoid any issue.