Losing your ATM card can be stressful, especially with the rising cases of fraud in Nigeria. Once your card is lost or stolen, criminals can quickly gain access to your bank account if you don’t act fast. The good news is that you no longer need to queue in the banking hall to protect your funds. Nigerian banks now provide USSD codes, SMS, apps, and customer service hotlines you can use to block your card instantly.
Losing your ATM card can be a stressful experience, especially when you consider the risk of unauthorized transactions.
Method
Description
USSD Code
Dial *894*911# from your registered number and follow prompts to block the card.
Mobile App
Log in to FirstMobile app → go to Cards → choose card → tap Block Card or similar.
Internet Banking
Access FirstOnline → navigate to Card Services → block your card.
SMS
Send BLOCK to 30012 from your registered phone number to deactivate the card.
Customer Care Call
Dial 0700-FIRSTCONTACT (0700-34778-2668228) or 07080625000 / 014485500, follow the voice prompt to block card.
Branch Visit
Visit any First Bank branch with valid ID—staff will block your card on the spot and help with a replacement.
2. How To Block GTBank Debit Card
GTBank has different methods you can use to block your ATM card if it is lost or stolen. It can be via ATM terminals, Internet banking app, Mobile app, SMS banking and or the GTWorld app.
To Block GTBank ATM Card
Method
Description
USSD Code
Dial *737*51*74# to immediately hotlist the card (or *737*911# to block the entire account).
Mobile App (GTWorld)
Open GTWorld app → go to Cards → select card → tap Block Card and confirm.
Internet Banking
Log in → go to Cards → Card Hotlist → select card → confirm reason and block.
SMS
Send HOTLIST <your account number> to 08076665555 from your registered phone.
Customer Care Call
Dial 0700GTConnect (0700482666328) or +234-1-4480000 for support and to block card.
Branch Visit
Visit any GTBank branch with valid ID to block your card and request a new one.
3. How To Block Fidelity Bank ATM Card
Losing your ATM card can be stressful, but Fidelity Bank has made it easy for customers to quickly block their cards and prevent unauthorized transactions. Below are the simple methods you can use:
Method
Description
USSD Code
Dial *770*911# from your registered number to block your ATM card instantly. (USSD implicitly considered accurate)
Mobile App
Log in to the Fidelity Bank mobile app → go to Cards → select the card → tap Block Card.
Internet Banking
Log into Fidelity’s online banking → navigate to Cards → choose card → click Block Card, confirm.
Call +234-1-448-5252 or visit any Fidelity Bank branch. or Call +234 070034335489, follow prompts, verify your identity, and request an immediate block.
Branch Visit
Visit any Fidelity Bank branch with valid ID to block the card and request a replacement.
4. How To Block a Lost or Stolen Zenith Bank Debit Card
Losing your Zenith Bank ATM card can be unnerving, but the bank provides several fast and secure ways to deactivate your card—without visiting a branch. Choose the method that best suits your situation:
Method
Description
USSD Code
Dial *966*60# and choose Block Card, or *966*911# to block the entire account via USSD
Mobile App
Log in to the Zenith Bank app → go to Cards & Cheques → select Deactivate Card or Block Card, confirm action
Internet Banking
Log in online → navigate to Cards → select Deactivate Card, confirm with PIN/token
Customer Care Call
Call 0700-ZENITH-BANK, or 01-2787000, 01-4647000, or 01-2927000 for assistance
WhatsApp (ZiVA)
Send “Hi” to Zenith Bank’s WhatsApp chatbot at +234-7040004422, then follow prompts to block the card
Branch Visit
Visit any Zenith Bank branch to block your card in person with valid ID—reliable for offline assistance
5. How To Block a Lost or Stolen Stanbic IBTC Bank ATM Card
Losing your ATM card can be stressful, but Stanbic IBTC ensures you can act fast to protect your funds using the following methods:
Method
Description
USSD Code
Dial *909# from your registered number → choose the option to block card (via “My Bank” or “Service Request”).
Mobile App
Log in to the Stanbic IBTC app → navigate to Cards or Service Requests → select and block card instantly
Customer Care Call
Call 0700 909 909 909 or +234 1 422 2222, verify your identity, and request the card be blocked
Visit any Stanbic IBTC branch with valid ID to block your card in person (not specifically highlighted in sources but standard practice).
6. How To Block Union Bank ATM Card
Method
Description
Mobile App
Fastest option—log in, navigate to “Card Services” (or “Security”), select your card, and tap Block ATM Card.
USSD Code
Dial *826*911# (or just *826#) from your registered number. Follow prompts to block the card.
SMS (Legacy Method)
Send text: BLOCK CARD <Your 10-digit account number> to 20123 from your registered phone. Still works, but less prominent today.
Customer Care
Call 07007070000 or 01-2716816. Provide verification details and request an immediate block.
Branch Visit
Visit any Union Bank branch with ID to block your card and request a replacement.
7. How To Block Access Bank ATM Card
When your Access Bank ATM card is lost or stolen, you may quickly deactivate it to prevent unauthorized access to your funds by following the straightforward instructions provided here.
Method
Steps
Mobile App
1. Log in to the Access Bank Mobile App. 2. Go to the menu → Cards & Cheques. 3. Under Manage Cards, select the ATM card linked to your account. 4. An authentication code will be sent to your registered phone number. 5. Enter the code to disable the card within minutes.
Customer Care (Instant Deactivation)
Call 1-800-554-8969 (for customers without smartphones) to immediately block your card.
8. How To Block Keystone Bank ATM Card
In addition to being among the largest and most established banks in Nigeria, Keystone Bank is also one of them. When you lose your ATM card or it is stolen, you can deactivate it right away by using any of the options below.
Call +234 700 2000 3000 and request instant card deactivation.
9. How To Block a lost or stolen Sterling Bank ATM Card
Another of Nigeria’s leading banks, Sterling Bank provides its customers with a variety of cards for convenience and security. If your ATM card is lost or stolen, you can instantly deactivate it through any of the options below:
Method
Steps
Phone
Call 0700 7837 5464 (0700 STERLING) to request immediate deactivation.
One of Nigeria’s newer generation banks, Wema Bank operates many branches and serves a large customer base. The bank issues a variety of cards, including debit cards, to its clients. If your ATM card is lost or stolen, you should disable it immediately using the following methods:
Method
Steps
Mobile App / Online
Log in to the Wema Bank Mobile App or ALAT Online Banking, then navigate to the card management section to deactivate your ATM card.
SMS (Quick Method)
Send CARD ATM OFF to 33352 from the phone number linked to your account. Your card will be instantly deactivated.
11. How To Block Unity Bank ATM Card
If your Unity Bank ATM card is lost or stolen, you should deactivate it immediately to prevent unauthorized transactions. You can do this through any of the following methods:
Method
Details
Phone Call
Call +2347080666000, +2347057323226, or +2347057323227 for quick deactivation.
When your Polaris Bank ATM card is lost, stolen, expired, or missing, you have several fast and secure options to deactivate it:
Method
Steps
USSD Code
Dial *833*13# from your registered mobile number. Follow on-screen prompts and confirm with your PIN to block the card instantly.
Mobile App (VULTe)
Log in to the Polaris Bank mobile app (VULTe) → navigate to Card Management → select your ATM card → tap Block Card.
Internet Banking
Log into Polaris Bank’s internet banking portal → go to the Cards section → select the card and click Block Card. Confirm to deactivate.
Customer Care Call
Call 0700 759 32265, +234 806 988 0000, or +234 1 448 2100. Provide account details and request card blocking.
Branch Visit
Visit any Polaris Bank branch with valid ID to block your card in person.
Why You Must Block a Lost or Stolen ATM Card
Prevent unauthorized withdrawals or online transactions.
Stop fraudulent PIN changes or transfers.
Avoid loss of savings linked to your debit card.
Conclusion
In 2025, Nigerian banks have made it faster and easier to block lost or stolen ATM cards. With USSD codes, SMS options, mobile apps, and 24/7 customer support, you can secure your account instantly without visiting a branch.
If your bank card goes missing:
Block it immediately using the right method for your bank.
Confirm the block with customer care.
Request a new card to resume transactions safely.
Protecting your money starts with quick action. Don’t wait! block your ATM card the moment it’s lost or stolen.
