How to Block a Stolen Phone from Accessing Your Bank Account

Losing your phone is enough pain, but the fear that someone could gain access to your bank account is another level of panic.

In this digital age, our phones carry everything from bank apps to saved passwords, OTPs, and even our identity.

They are our mobile office and secret safe. So, if your phone ever gets stolen or lost (God forbid), here’s exactly how to shut it down fast and protect your assets.

1. Stay Calm, Then Move Fast

2. Call Your Bank(s) and Request a Temporary Lock

• For example, GTBank users can dial 73751*74# to turn off their USSD profile.
• Access Bank users can dial 901*911# and follow the prompt.
• Other banks usually have similar quick codes. If unsure, Google your bank name + “USSD block stolen phone.”

Ask the customer care rep to:

• Block all mobile transactions.
• Turn off the app login temporarily.
• Deactivate your phone number if it’s the registered number.

This one move can stop thieves from transferring a dime.

3. Block Your Phone Number Immediately

You can also walk into the nearest service center to swap SIMs. That way, you get your number back on a new SIM, but the stolen one becomes useless.

Hotlines:

• MTN: 300
• Airtel: 300
• Glo: 300
• 9Mobile: 200

Bonus Tip: When you block your SIM, ask them to turn off SIM services like SIM Toolkits or mobile money (if applicable).

4. Use a Friend’s Phone or PC to Wipe Your Phone Remotely

If you use an Android phone:

Go to Find My Device

• Sign in with your Google account.
• You’ll see your phone on the map.
• Tap “Erase Device.” This will wipe your phone clean, even with someone else.

If you’re on iPhone:

Go to iCloud.com/find

• Sign in with your Apple ID.
• Select the stolen device and tap “Erase iPhone.”
• You can also mark it as lost.

This ensures your banking apps, stored passwords, and saved screenshots of account numbers or PINs are gone from the thief’s hands.

5. Change All Your Passwords Immediately

Start with:

• Your email (especially Gmail or iCloud).
• Your bank app password.
• Your mobile banking PIN.
• Any password manager you use (like LastPass or 1Password).
• Social media and shopping apps with saved cards (e.g., Jumia, Konga, Instagram, etc.)

6. Notify the Police (Optional, But Smart)

If you have your phone’s IMEI number (usually found on the phone box or dial *#06# before it was stolen), give it to them. That might help trace the phone later.

7. Prevent Future Scares: Set Up Better Security

• Always lock your apps: Use biometric or PIN protection for your banking apps, not just your phone lock screen.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts.
• Don’t save sensitive info in plain text: Stop taking screenshots of your card details or writing your PIN in your notes app.

Install tracking apps like Cerberus or Lookout as backups.

• Track its location
• Take secret pictures of whoever has it
• Lock the phone
• Wipe all your data
• Make the phone scream with an alarm even if it’s on silent.

The best part is that it works in the background, so the thief has no clue they’re being watched.