Last checked: 26 June 2026
Send-money services such as eWallet, CashSend, Instant Money, Send Cash, and other cardless-cash options are useful when they are used through official bank channels. The danger starts when someone pressures you to share a voucher number, secret code, OTP, PIN, banking password, or card details.
If you are worried about send money scams South Africa, the safest first step is: do not click a link, do not share a code, and do not move money because someone on a call or WhatsApp told you to. Banks warn that they will not ask customers to share secret details such as OTPs, PINs, passwords, passcodes, or card security details. (FNB)
Quick Answer and Code/Menu Path
There is no single universal USSD code that cancels every CashSend scam, eWallet scam, fake cash voucher SMS, or wrong-number send-money transaction. You must use the official channel for the bank or wallet involved.
| What happened | What to do first | Safer route |
|---|---|---|
| You received a fake cash voucher SMS | Do not click the link or enter banking details | Open your own banking app or use the bank’s official USSD/menu |
| Someone says they sent you money but asks for a “release fee” | Do not pay | Verify the payment in your own account or official wallet |
| A caller asks you to create a voucher to “protect your money” | Stop immediately | Contact your bank using an official number |
| Someone asks for your OTP, PIN, voucher PIN, or secret code | Do not share it | End the call or chat and report it |
| You sent money to the wrong number | Contact the bank immediately | A reversal may depend on whether the money has been withdrawn |
| The receiver cannot withdraw | Check the official resend, reset, or support route | Do not use codes from strangers or social media comments |
For broader code guidance, use send money USSD code South Africa. For safety guidance before using a voucher or cardless withdrawal, read is cardless cash safe.
Official routes to check
| Bank or service | Official code, menu, or fraud route | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| FNB eWallet | FNB says eWallet users can dial *120*277# for eWallet actions such as getting cash, and FNB lists 087 575 9444 for fraud reporting. (FNB Online) | eWallet scam, eWallet PIN, suspicious eWallet SMS |
| Absa CashSend | Absa lists Cellphone Banking on *120*2272# and lists its fraud hotline as 0860 557 557 or +27 11 501 5089. (Absa) | CashSend scam, suspicious SMS, fraud report |
| Standard Bank Instant Money | Standard Bank says users can dial *120*212# to resend vouchers, reset PIN codes, and view voucher statuses; it lists 0800 222 050 for new fraud incidents. (Standard Bank) | Instant Money voucher scam, voucher status, PIN reset |
| Capitec Send Cash | Capitec lists *120*3279# for Send Cash and says personal banking fraud can be reported on 0860 10 20 43 or WhatsApp 067 418 9565. (Capitec Bank) | Send Cash scam, suspicious voucher, fraud report |
How to Send Money or Withdraw Cash
A normal send-money transaction usually has two parts: the sender creates the payment, and the receiver withdraws the cash. Depending on the bank, the sender may use an app, USSD, ATM, branch, or retailer. The receiver may need a voucher number, reference number, withdrawal PIN, or secret code.
The scam risk is that the voucher number and secret code can work like cash when used together. If the wrong person gets both, they may be able to withdraw the money before the real receiver does.
For example, Capitec says Send Cash collection requires the reference number and the 4-digit secret code, and the sender is told to send the secret code separately. (Capitec Bank) Standard Bank warns about a scam where fraudsters tell customers to create an Instant Money voucher and then read back the voucher details and PIN. (Standard Bank)
Warning signs
Be careful if any of these happen:
| Warning sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| “Click this link to claim your cash voucher” | It may be a fake cash voucher SMS designed to steal banking details |
| “Send yourself a voucher to stop fraud” | Real bank staff should not ask you to create a voucher and read out the code |
| “Give me the OTP so I can reverse it” | Banks warn that OTPs must not be shared |
| “Your money will expire in 5 minutes unless you verify” | Scammers use panic to rush you |
| “Pay a small release fee first” | This is often used in fake payment and marketplace scams |
| “Do not call the bank” | A real support route should survive independent verification |
| “Send me a screenshot of the voucher” | A screenshot may expose the reference and secret code together |
What not to share
Never share any of the following with another person:
- Your banking app PIN.
- Your cellphone banking PIN.
- Your online banking password.
- Your card PIN.
- Your OTP.
- Your full card number, CVV, or expiry date.
- Your eWallet PIN, CashSend PIN, Send Cash secret code, Instant Money release PIN, or voucher PIN.
- A screenshot showing the voucher number and secret code together.
- Remote access to your phone, banking app, or computer.
Absa warns users not to click SMS links claiming to be from the bank and says it will not ask for a PIN, password, passcode, transaction verification, or card CVV number. (Absa) FNB similarly warns that it will not ask customers to share an OTP to reverse pending transactions or block a banking profile. (FNB)
Fees, Limits, Expiry, and Reversal Notes
Fees, limits, expiry times, reversal rules, and withdrawal options change by bank, account type, channel, and transaction amount. Always check the latest on-screen confirmation, bank pricing guide, or official support page before sending money.
| Item to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fee | The sender may be charged before the receiver collects the money |
| Limit | USSD, app, ATM, and wallet limits can differ |
| Expiry | A voucher or temporary PIN may expire before the receiver withdraws |
| Withdrawal point | Some services work only at selected ATMs or retail partners |
| Reversal rule | A reversal is usually harder or impossible after withdrawal |
| Wrong-number transaction | The bank may need the recipient number, amount, time, and reference |
| Fraud case | The bank may ask for evidence, an affidavit, or SAPS case details |
Do not promise anyone that a send-money transaction can definitely be reversed. FNB says eWallet funds can be reversed before the recipient withdraws the funds, and FNB also notes that reversals are not guaranteed in some wrong-number situations. (FNB)
If you believe a transaction was fraudulent, report it as fraud rather than treating it only as a normal reversal request. FNB’s reversal guidance says suspected fraudulent transactions should be reported to the fraud department immediately. (FNB Online)
Safety Checks Before You Confirm
Check the cellphone number
Before sending money, read the recipient number digit by digit. A one-digit mistake can send the voucher to the wrong person. If the money is withdrawn, recovery may be difficult.
Check the person
If the request came from WhatsApp, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, SMS, Telegram, or a new number, call the person using a number you already trust. Do not rely only on a profile picture, display name, or forwarded proof of payment.
Check the channel
Use the bank app, official USSD code, official ATM menu, official branch, or official website. Do not trust a code from a screenshot, comment section, WhatsApp group, or suspicious SMS.
Check the wording
Stop if the message says you must “verify”, “release”, “protect”, “reverse”, or “unlock” money by sharing a PIN, OTP, or voucher code. Those words are often used to make a scam feel urgent.
Check the payment before releasing goods
If you are selling something, do not release the item because a buyer shows you an SMS or screenshot. Check that the money is actually visible in your account or that the voucher is confirmed through the official bank channel.
Check for SIM-swap signs
If your phone suddenly loses signal, OTPs stop arriving, or you receive an unexpected SIM-swap or number-port message, contact your bank and mobile network immediately. The Banking Association South Africa warns that criminals use SIM swaps to intercept OTPs and other verification messages. (The Banking Association South Africa)
Check pressure tactics
A common scam pattern is panic: “Your account is being hacked”, “You must act now”, “Do not tell anyone”, or “I am from the fraud department”. Hang up and call your bank yourself. Banking guidance warns users not to give in to pressure and to verify through official channels. (The Banking Association South Africa)
What to Do If You Are Affected
If you think you have been caught by a CashSend scam, eWallet scam, fake cash voucher SMS, wrong-number payment, or cardless-cash fraud, act immediately.
- Stop talking to the person who contacted you.
- Do not send more money to “unlock”, “release”, or “reverse” the first payment.
- Save the SMS, WhatsApp messages, screenshots, phone numbers, account details, voucher references, and transaction times.
- Contact your bank through the official app, website, branch, or fraud number.
- Ask whether the voucher can be blocked, cancelled, traced, resent, reset, or investigated.
- Change any compromised PINs, passwords, or app credentials.
- Report a stolen phone, SIM swap, or number port to your mobile network.
- Report the crime to SAPS if money was stolen or if your identity or bank account was used.
Capitec advises scam victims involving a bank account to report the crime to SAPS immediately and contact its 24-hour Client Care Centre. (Capitec Bank)
Evidence to keep
Keep a record of:
- The amount sent.
- The date and time.
- The recipient cellphone number.
- The voucher or reference number.
- The name or number of the person who contacted you.
- Screenshots of chats and SMS messages.
- Any proof of payment.
- Any bank notifications.
- Any SAPS case number or affidavit if required.
Do not delete the chat because you feel embarrassed. Scam evidence can help the bank, police, or fraud team understand what happened.
Related Bank and Wallet Guides
Use the next guide that matches your actual task:
| Guide | When to use it |
|---|---|
| send money USSD code South Africa | You need the correct send-money code or menu by bank |
| is cardless cash safe | You want to understand the safety risks before using cardless cash |
| FNB eWallet USSD code | You need help with FNB eWallet sending, PINs, or withdrawals |
| Absa CashSend USSD code | You need help with Absa CashSend steps or CashSend checks |
| cash voucher SMS not received | The receiver did not get the voucher SMS or withdrawal message |
FAQs
Is send money scams South Africa safe?
Send-money services can be safe when you use the official bank app, official USSD menu, ATM, or branch and send money to the correct person. The risk comes from fake cash voucher SMS messages, wrong-number payments, pressure calls, OTP requests, and people asking for voucher details they should not have.
What should users check before using send money scams South Africa?
Check the recipient number, amount, fee, expiry rule, withdrawal method, and bank channel before confirming. Use send money USSD code South Africa if you need the correct provider menu, and read is cardless cash safe if you want the safety checks before authorising a voucher.
Can send money scams South Africa be cancelled or reversed?
Sometimes a transaction can be cancelled or reversed, but it depends on the bank, the service, whether the voucher has been withdrawn, and how quickly you report it. Do not promise a refund. Contact the bank immediately through the official fraud or support route.
What happens if a voucher or withdrawal code expires?
Use the official bank menu to request a new PIN, resend a voucher, or check the voucher status. Do not use a code from a stranger, social media comment, or suspicious SMS. FNB says an expired temporary ATM PIN for eWallet can be requested again by dialling *120*277# and selecting “Get Cash”. (FNB Online)
Are there fees or limits for send money scams South Africa?
Fees and limits depend on the bank and channel. For example, Capitec publishes Send Cash fee and limit information for app, internet banking, and USSD transactions, but these details should still be checked on the latest official page before publication or use. (Capitec Bank)
What should users do if send money scams South Africa is not working?
Check whether the cellphone number is correct, the receiver has the right reference and secret code, the voucher has expired, the withdrawal point supports that service, and the bank system is available. If the issue involves a suspicious message, possible fraud, or a wrong-number payment, stop trying random codes and contact the bank directly.
What should I do if the receiver cannot withdraw?
Ask the receiver to confirm the voucher number, secret code, withdrawal location, and expiry status. Do not send the details to a third party who offers to help. If it still fails, use the bank’s official app, USSD menu, or support route to check whether the voucher can be resent, reset, cancelled, or investigated.
What is a fake cash voucher SMS?
A fake cash voucher SMS is a message that pretends money has been sent to you, usually to make you click a link, call a fake support number, enter banking details, or pay a release fee. Verify the message through your own bank app or official bank support route, not through the link or number in the SMS.
What is the safest rule for eWallet, CashSend, Send Cash, and Instant Money?
Treat the voucher number and secret code like cash. Share them only with the intended receiver, and never share your OTP, banking PIN, app PIN, card PIN, password, CVV, or full card details with anyone.
