USSD Code

How-to guide

Sent Cash To Wrong Number

Last verified 25 June 2026

  • Primary code *120*321#
  • Also listed *120*2272#
  • Also listed *120*3279#

Last checked: 25 June 2026

If you sent cash to wrong number, act quickly and do not share any more transaction details. The most important thing is to stop the wrong person from withdrawing the money before the voucher, eWallet, CashSend, or Send Cash is used.

There is no one reversal code that works for every South African bank. The right action depends on the service you used, whether the money has already been withdrawn, and whether you still control the withdrawal PIN, access code, or secret code.

Quick Answer and Code/Menu Path

If you sent money to the wrong cellphone number, first check the transaction inside the same bank channel you used to send it. Look for a reverse, cancel, manage voucher, unredeemed, change secret code, or transaction history option. If the money has already been withdrawn, contact the bank immediately and keep proof of the transaction.

ServiceWhat to check firstCode or menu path to useImportant safety note
FNB eWalletCheck whether the eWallet money has been used and start a reversal request quickly.FNB says eWallet reversal can be initiated via the FNB App, cellphone banking by dialling *120*321#, the eWallet Call Centre, or WhatsApp on 087 392 5538. (FNB)FNB says reversal attempts may be charged and are not guaranteed. (FNB)
Absa CashSendCheck if the CashSend is still unredeemed and manage it through Absa’s official channels.Absa lists cellphone banking for CashSend at *120*2272#; its CashSend page says unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking. (Absa)Do not give the 6-digit access PIN to the wrong person.
Capitec Send CashCheck Send Cash history and whether the voucher is still unredeemed.Capitec says Send Cash via USSD uses *120*3279#; internet banking can be used to view Send Cash history and update the secret code for unredeemed vouchers. (Capitec Bank)If the wrong person does not have the secret code, do not send it.
Other cardless cash servicesUse the app, ATM, online banking, wallet, or contact centre for the provider used.Check the provider’s official support route.Never use a “reversal” link or phone number sent by the wrong recipient.

If the withdrawal code, secret code, or access PIN has not been shared yet, keep it private. In many cardless cash flows, the receiver needs both the reference or SMS and a PIN, code, or secret number to collect the money. That means you may still have time to stop or reduce the risk.

What To Do Immediately If You Sent Cash To The Wrong Number

Start with these steps before trying anything else:

  1. Do not send the withdrawal PIN, access code, or secret code. If the wrong number asks for the “rest of the code”, do not reply.
  2. Open the same channel you used to send the money. This may be your banking app, USSD menu, cellphone banking, online banking, ATM, or wallet.
  3. Check the transaction status. Look for words such as reverse, cancel, manage, unredeemed, resend, history, voucher, or secret code.
  4. Contact the bank through an official route. Use the bank’s official app, website, branch, fraud line, or contact centre. Do not trust numbers sent by a stranger.
  5. Keep evidence. Save the payment confirmation, amount, date, time, wrong cellphone number, reference number, and any messages from the wrong recipient.
  6. Report fraud if someone tries to trick you. If the wrong recipient or a fake “bank agent” asks for your OTP, banking PIN, or password, treat it as a scam.

The faster you act, the better. A reversal or cancellation is usually harder once the cash has been withdrawn.

How to Send Money or Withdraw Cash

This page is not here to encourage you to send another transaction. It explains the normal send-money flow so you can understand where the mistake happened and what to check next.

Most cardless cash and wallet services work like this:

  1. You choose a send-money, eWallet, CashSend, or Send Cash option.
  2. You enter the recipient’s cellphone number.
  3. You enter the amount.
  4. You confirm the transaction with your banking PIN or app approval.
  5. The recipient receives an SMS, reference, or voucher.
  6. The recipient may need a separate PIN, access code, or secret code to withdraw the money.
  7. The recipient withdraws from an ATM, retailer, or supported cash-out point.

A wrong-number mistake usually happens at step 2. The risk becomes greater if the wrong person also receives or gets access to the withdrawal code.

For example, Absa’s CashSend cellphone banking steps include entering the beneficiary’s cellphone number, then entering a 6-digit access PIN or code that the beneficiary will use to get the funds from an Absa ATM. (Absa) Capitec’s Send Cash USSD steps include creating a 4-digit secret code that is used to collect the cash. (Capitec Bank)

That is why the safest response is to stop, check the transaction history, and avoid sharing the missing withdrawal details with the wrong person.

Sent eWallet To Wrong Number

If you sent eWallet to wrong number, use FNB’s official eWallet reversal route as soon as possible. FNB says reversal can be initiated through the FNB App, cellphone banking using *120*321#, the eWallet Call Centre, or WhatsApp on 087 392 5538. (FNB)

FNB also states that eWallet reversals are not guaranteed, may carry a charge, and depend on whether the recipient has used the funds. (FNB)

What to do:

For more help with eWallet PIN, SMS, expiry, or withdrawal issues, use FNB eWallet PIN expired. For the code and menu path, use FNB eWallet USSD code.

Sent CashSend To Wrong Number

If you sent CashSend to wrong number, first check if the CashSend is still unredeemed. Absa says CashSend is available for 30 days and that unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking. (Absa)

Absa’s official CashSend information also lists cellphone banking at *120*2272# and shows that the sender enters the recipient’s cellphone number and the 6-digit access PIN or code used by the beneficiary to withdraw. (Absa)

What to do:

For CashSend SMS, access code, and withdrawal problems, use Absa CashSend not received. For the sending code and menu path, use Absa CashSend USSD code.

Sent Send Cash To Wrong Number

If you sent Send Cash to wrong number using Capitec, check whether the voucher is still unredeemed. Capitec says Send Cash via USSD uses *120*3279#, and its Send Cash page says internet banking can be used to view Send Cash history and update the secret code for unredeemed vouchers. (Capitec Bank)

Capitec also says Send Cash is valid for 30 days and will be paid back into the sending account if it is not withdrawn within that period. (Capitec Bank)

What to do:

For Send Cash SMS, reference, secret code, or withdrawal issues, use Capitec Send Cash SMS not received. For the USSD code and steps, use Capitec Send Cash USSD code.

Fees, Limits, Expiry, and Reversal Notes

Fees, limits, expiry times, and reversal rules can change. Always check the latest information in your bank’s official app, pricing guide, website, or contact centre before you rely on a number.

ProviderCurrent notes to verify before acting
FNB eWalletFNB says reversal attempts may be charged and are not guaranteed. FNB also says whether money can be recovered depends on whether the receiving eWallet holder has used the funds. (FNB)
Absa CashSendAbsa says CashSend is available for 30 days and unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking. (Absa)
Capitec Send CashCapitec lists USSD Send Cash at *120*3279#, shows Send Cash limits and fees on its official page, and says unused Send Cash is paid back after 30 days if not withdrawn. (Capitec Bank)

Do not wait for expiry if the cash was sent to the wrong person. Expiry is not the same as a reversal. A reversal or cancellation is an active step you try to take before the wrong person withdraws. Expiry only helps if the voucher remains unused until the bank’s expiry period ends.

Safety Checks Before You Confirm

Wrong-number cash mistakes are common because send-money services rely heavily on cellphone numbers. Before confirming any future transaction, check the details slowly.

Use this checklist before you send:

SABRIC warns that banks will never ask for your PIN, OTP, or banking passwords, and says users should verify before trusting a message, caller, or link that claims to come from a bank. (SABRIC)

Warning Signs

Be careful if any of these things happen after you sent cash to the wrong number:

A real bank support process should not require you to give your banking PIN, app password, OTP, full card number, or CVV to another person.

What Not To Share

Never share the following with the wrong recipient, a stranger, or anyone claiming to help on social media:

Even if you made the mistake, do not let embarrassment push you into a bigger loss. Stop, verify, and use official support.

Official Verification Steps

Use official channels only. The safest route is to open your bank’s app or website directly, dial the official USSD code yourself, visit a branch, or call the bank using a number listed on the bank’s official website or on the back of your card.

For FNB eWallet, FNB lists reversal options through the FNB App, cellphone banking, call centre, and WhatsApp. (FNB)
For Absa CashSend, Absa lists CashSend through Online Banking, the Banking App, cellphone banking, and ATM, and says unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking. (Absa)
For Capitec Send Cash, Capitec lists the USSD route and says Send Cash history and unredeemed secret-code updates are available through official channels. (Capitec Bank)

If USSD is not working, do not keep retrying blindly. Check signal, confirm you are using the correct SIM, restart the phone, and then use bank USSD code not working for troubleshooting.

What To Do If The Receiver Cannot Withdraw

If the correct receiver cannot withdraw, first confirm that the cash was not sent to the wrong number. Then check:

If the receiver still cannot withdraw, use the provider-specific troubleshooting page instead of sending a second transaction. Sending again may double the risk if the first voucher is still active.

Use these related guides for the next step:

FAQs

Is sent cash to wrong number safe?

It is not safe to ignore. If the wrong person receives enough information to withdraw the money, you may lose the funds. Act quickly, do not share the withdrawal code, and use your bank’s official reversal, cancellation, or support route.

Can I reverse a send-money transaction?

Sometimes, but not always. FNB says eWallet reversal attempts may be charged and are not guaranteed. (FNB) With other providers, check whether the voucher is still unredeemed and use the bank’s official manage, cancel, history, or support route. Never promise yourself or the receiver that a refund is guaranteed until the bank confirms it.

What happens if a voucher or withdrawal code expires?

It depends on the provider. Absa says CashSend is available for 30 days. (Absa) Capitec says Send Cash is valid for 30 days and is automatically paid back into the sending account if it is not withdrawn. (Capitec Bank) Even so, do not wait for expiry if the cash was sent to the wrong number.

Are there fees or limits for sent cash to wrong number?

There may be fees, limits, reversal charges, or expiry rules. These can change, so verify the current fee and limit with the bank before acting. Capitec publishes Send Cash fees and limits on its official Send Cash page, while FNB says eWallet reversal attempts may be charged. (Capitec Bank)

What should I do if sent cash to wrong number is not working?

Check whether you are using the correct bank channel, correct SIM, and official USSD code. If the menu fails, use the banking app, online banking, ATM, branch, or contact centre. If the issue is a USSD error, go to bank USSD code not working. If the problem is bank-specific, use the FNB, Absa, or Capitec troubleshooting guides linked above.

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