Cardless cash lets you send money to someone’s cellphone number or withdraw money without using a bank card. In South Africa, this usually works through a bank’s send-money service, such as Absa CashSend, FNB eWallet, Standard Bank Instant Money, Capitec Send Cash, or Nedbank cardless withdrawal.
There is no single cardless cash code that works for every bank. The correct code, app menu, ATM option, fee, limit, expiry time, and reversal rule depends on the provider.
Last checked: 26 June 2026. Always confirm the latest fee, limit, expiry rule, and withdrawal option on the bank’s official app, USSD menu, ATM screen, or website before you authorise a transaction.
Quick Answer and Code/Menu Path
Cardless cash normally works like this: the sender creates a voucher or wallet transaction, the receiver gets or is given the withdrawal details, and the receiver collects the cash from the correct ATM, retailer, or wallet channel.
| Provider | Code or menu to check | What the receiver usually needs |
|---|---|---|
| Absa CashSend | Absa lists *120*2272# for CashSend on cellphone banking. The sender creates a 6-digit access PIN or code. | The receiver gets an SMS with a 10-digit reference or withdrawal number, and must also have the 6-digit access PIN or code from the sender. Absa says CashSend is available for 30 days. (Absa) |
| FNB eWallet | FNB lists eWallet options for app, cellphone banking, WhatsApp, retailers, and one-time PIN use. FNB shows *120*277*4# for getting a one-time PIN at selected tills. | The receiver uses the eWallet withdrawal or spend option at a supported FNB ATM, Agent, or retailer. FNB lists retailers such as Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Usave, PEP, and Ackermans for cash withdrawal. (FNB) |
| Standard Bank Instant Money | Standard Bank cellphone banking uses *120*2345#, then Payments and Transfersand InstantMoney. (Standard Bank) | The receiver uses the Instant Money voucher details at a participating retailer or Standard Bank ATM. Standard Bank lists fees, retailer options, and a 3-year voucher validity period on its Instant Money page. (Standard Bank) |
| Capitec Send Cash | Capitec lists *120*3279# for Send Cash, as well as app and internet banking. | The receiver needs the reference number and the 4-digit secret code. Capitec says cash can be collected at Capitec ATMs and partner retailers. (Capitec Bank) |
| Nedbank cardless withdrawal | Nedbank says money can be sent from the Money app, Online Banking, or Cellphone Banking *120*001#. (Nedbank) | The receiver gets a voucher code or voucher number and PIN, then withdraws at a Nedbank ATM or participating retailer. Nedbank says vouchers are valid for 30 days. (Nedbank) |
For a direct code-focused guide, use cardless withdrawal USSD code. For a broader comparison, use send money USSD code South Africa.
How to Send Money or Withdraw Cash
Cardless cash has two parts: the sender creates the transaction, and the receiver collects the money.
The sender usually does this:
- Opens the bank app, online banking, ATM menu, or USSD banking code.
- Selects the bank’s send-money, voucher, wallet, CashSend, eWallet, Instant Money, Send Cash, or cardless withdrawal option.
- Enters the receiver’s cellphone number.
- Enters the amount.
- Creates or confirms the secret code, access PIN, release PIN, or voucher details if required.
- Reviews the cellphone number, amount, fee, and terms.
- Confirms the transaction only if every detail is correct.
- Sends the secret code or collection instruction only to the intended receiver.
The receiver usually does this:
- Goes to the correct ATM, retailer, or wallet channel.
- Selects the matching cardless cash or send-money option.
- Enters the voucher number, reference number, cellphone number, or wallet details if requested.
- Enters the PIN, secret code, release PIN, or OTP.
- Collects the cash once the transaction is approved.
Absa CashSend is a good example of the flow. Absa says the beneficiary receives an SMS with a 10-digit reference or withdrawal number, while the sender creates the 6-digit access PIN or code used to withdraw the money. (Absa)
Capitec Send Cash works differently: Capitec says the receiver needs the reference number sent by SMS to the sender and the 4-digit secret code, then collects at a listed partner retailer or Capitec ATM. (Capitec Bank)
Nedbank cardless withdrawal uses a voucher system. Nedbank says the recipient receives a 10-digit voucher number and four-digit PIN, and can withdraw at a Nedbank ATM or participating retail store. (Nedbank)
Fees, Limits, Expiry, and Reversal Notes
Fees, limits, expiry periods, and reversal rules are not the same for every provider. They can also change. Always check the bank’s current screen before you send money.
| Provider | Last-checked notes |
|---|---|
| Absa CashSend | Absa says app CashSend limits for existing and once-off beneficiaries are R5,000 per day and R25,000 per month, while the USSD CashSend note shows R500 per day and R3,000 per month. Absa also says CashSend transactions are available for 30 days only. (Absa) |
| FNB eWallet | FNB says eWallet can be used to send money to anyone with a valid South African cellphone number. It also lists retailer withdrawal and spend options, including a one-time PIN for selected tills. (FNB) |
| Standard Bank Instant Money | Standard Bank lists Instant Money fees by channel and amount band, and says Instant Money vouchers are valid for 3 years. (Standard Bank) |
| Capitec Send Cash | Capitec lists Send Cash fees of R10 for R40–R1,000, R20 for R1,010–R2,000, and R30 for R2,010–R3,000. It lists USSD limits of R1,000 per transaction and R1,000 per day, with a monthly Send Cash limit of R24,990. (Capitec Bank) |
| Nedbank cardless withdrawal | Nedbank says the default send limit is R2,500, users can send up to R5,000 a day, and vouchers are valid for 30 days. If the voucher expires, Nedbank says the money is returned to the sender. (Nedbank) |
Can you reverse or cancel cardless cash?
Sometimes, but not always. The safest rule is: do not assume a cardless cash transaction can be reversed after you confirm it.
If the receiver has not withdrawn the money, some providers allow the sender to cancel the voucher or request help. Nedbank says an unused voucher can be cancelled from the Money app if its status is still unredeemed, and it warns that the bank is not liable if the sender pays the wrong cellphone number or enters the wrong amount. (Nedbank)
Standard Bank says Instant Money voucher details can be resent through the official Instant Money support route, and SPAR can resend the last active Instant Money voucher if the user produces proof of ID or Smart ID Card. (Standard Bank)
What happens if the code expires?
The expiry rule depends on the provider. Absa says CashSend is available for 30 days. Nedbank says its cardless withdrawal voucher is valid for 30 days and the money is returned to the sender if the voucher expires. Standard Bank says Instant Money vouchers are valid for 3 years. (Absa)
What if the receiver cannot withdraw?
First check whether the receiver is using the correct provider, ATM, retailer, voucher number, PIN, secret code, or OTP. Then check whether the voucher is still active and whether the cash must be withdrawn in full.
For Capitec Send Cash, Capitec says the receiver needs the reference number and 4-digit secret code, and says users should contact its Client Care Centre if the cash payout cannot be completed. (Capitec Bank)
For Nedbank, the receiver can retrieve lost voucher details by dialling *120*002#, selecting Help, then selecting Get cash voucher. Nedbank also says the receiver must withdraw the full amount for every voucher. (Nedbank)
Safety Checks Before You Confirm
Cardless cash is useful, but it can be risky if you rush. Stop before confirming if someone is pressuring you, claiming your account will be blocked, telling you to move money to a “safe account”, or asking you to perform a send-cash transaction to reverse fraud.
Before you confirm, check:
- Cellphone number: one wrong digit can send the money to the wrong person.
- Amount: make sure the amount and fee are correct.
- Provider: confirm the receiver can collect from that bank, ATM, retailer, or wallet channel.
- Secret code: send the collection PIN, access PIN, OTP, or secret code only to the intended receiver.
- Expiry: tell the receiver when the voucher expires.
- Withdrawal rules: check whether the receiver must withdraw the full amount.
- Reversal status: never assume the bank can recover money after it has been withdrawn.
Never share your banking PIN, OTP, app password, online banking password, full card number, or voucher code with a caller, buyer, courier, “support agent”, social-media stranger, or anyone who says they need it to verify a payment.
Capitec warns users not to act on instructions to perform a send-cash transaction, transfer money to a “safe account”, or approve a transaction to stop fraud. Capitec also says banks will not call, SMS, email, or direct message users to ask for confidential banking information such as banking PINs. (Capitec Bank)
Check network/account status
If the USSD menu fails, wait before retrying. Check your signal, airtime, bank account balance, transaction history, and SMS notifications. A failed screen does not always mean the transaction failed.
Standard Bank says cellphone banking uses airtime, not data, and that standard mobile network charges apply. (Standard Bank)
Retry safely
Do not keep submitting the same transaction if the first attempt froze, timed out, or deducted money. First check whether a voucher was created. Then check the bank app, SMS history, transaction list, or official support route.
Escalation route
Escalate quickly if:
- you sent money to the wrong cellphone number;
- the receiver cannot withdraw;
- the ATM or retailer did not pay out cash;
- the voucher SMS was deleted or never arrived;
- the PIN, OTP, or secret code is blocked;
- you suspect fraud or pressure tactics.
Keep the transaction date, amount, cellphone number used, reference number, ATM or store location, and any non-sensitive error message. Do not share screenshots that show your PIN, OTP, password, full card number, or secret code.
Official support route
Use the bank’s official app, website, branch, ATM screen, or verified support number. Do not trust a support number sent by a stranger on WhatsApp, Facebook Marketplace, SMS, Telegram, or social media.
For provider-specific next steps, use:
Related Bank and Wallet Guides
Use these guides when you know what you need to do next:
- Cardless withdrawal USSD code — for users who need the withdrawal code or ATM/cardless cash menu.
- Send money USSD code South Africa — for users comparing send-money codes across banks and wallets.
- Withdraw cash sent to my phone — for receivers who have a voucher, reference, or SMS and need to collect cash.
- FNB eWallet USSD code — for FNB eWallet sending, withdrawal, PIN, and reversal guidance.
- Absa CashSend USSD code — for Absa CashSend sending and withdrawal guidance.
FAQs
Is cardless cash safe?
Cardless cash can be safe when you use the official bank channel, confirm the cellphone number, and keep the PIN, OTP, voucher code, and secret code private. It becomes risky when you send money under pressure, share codes with strangers, or follow instructions from someone pretending to be from your bank.
What should users check before using cardless cash?
Check the bank or wallet provider, cellphone number, amount, fee, expiry time, withdrawal location, and collection code. Also check whether the receiver can collect from that provider’s ATM or retailer before you confirm the transaction.
Can cardless cash be cancelled or reversed?
It depends on the provider and whether the money has already been collected. Some unused vouchers can be cancelled, but you should not rely on reversal after sending. Nedbank says unused vouchers can be cancelled if the transaction is still unredeemed, but also warns that the sender is responsible if the wrong cellphone number or amount is used. (Nedbank)
Do cardless cash codes expire?
Yes, many cardless cash vouchers expire. Absa CashSend and Nedbank cardless withdrawal both show 30-day voucher availability or validity, while Standard Bank says Instant Money vouchers are valid for 3 years. Always check the current expiry shown by your provider before sending. (Absa)
Are there fees or limits for cardless cash?
Yes. Fees and limits vary by provider, amount, channel, and account type. Absa, Capitec, Standard Bank, and Nedbank publish different fees or limits for their own services, so always check the latest provider screen before confirming. (Absa)
What should users do if cardless cash is not working?
Check the code, provider, voucher status, expiry time, collection point, and PIN or secret code. If money was deducted or a voucher was created, do not repeat the transaction immediately. Use the bank’s official support route and keep the transaction reference, time, amount, and error message.
What should I do if the receiver cannot withdraw?
Ask the receiver to confirm the ATM or retailer, voucher number, PIN, secret code, and expiry date. If the voucher SMS was lost, check whether the provider offers a resend or voucher retrieval option. Nedbank says lost voucher details can be retrieved through *120*002#, while Standard Bank says Instant Money voucher details can be resent through its official support options. (Nedbank)