How To Check Your BVN in Nigeria 2024: A Complete Guide

The Bank Verification Number (BVN) is a one of a kind, 11- digit ID number that is assigned to each individual that has a bank account in Nigeria and it plays an important role in checking fraudulent activities, identifying a particular individual and improving the financial system in the country

Why is BVN important?

These are the reasons why The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced Bank verification number (BVN)

1. To Make Banks Safer

2. To Cut down any chance of identity theft and scams in banking.

3. To Stop the popular scam of opening accounts with fake IDs , money laundering.

4. To Make It Easier to Know the real Customers

5. To Make customer identification and verification easier and accurate for all Nigerian banks

6. To make taking in new customers and opening of new accounts easy and simple

7. It helps in fighting against corruption

8. It Helps stop people from money laundering, terrorism funding, and other financial crimes by giving each bank customer a unique ID.

9. To Get more people into the banking system by creating a standard safe way to identify and check bank customers.

10. To give regulators, like the CBN access in order keep an eye on every bank account and manage banking activities .

11. To Help spot and end illegal money transactions.

How can I check my BVN?

1. USSD Code:

This is The Most Common Way of checking BVN Dial *565*0# from the phone number linked to your BVN.

Steps:

1. After you dialed the code, follow the instructions on the screen.

2. You’ll pay a small amount of money through airtime ₦20) for this service.

3. Your BVN will appear on your phone screen.

Why is USSD method the best?

1. It is Easy and quick to use.

2. Works for all mobile phone users, no matter which network they use.

3. It Doesn’t need internet to work.

Disadvantages of checking BVN with USSD method

1. It might not work in places with bad network.

2. The service might stop working sometimes because of network problems and other related problems.

2. Check BVN using your bank’s mobile App

A lot of banks in Nigeria will let you do this through their phone banking apps:

Steps

1. Download and send up your bank’s mobile banking app

2. Sign in to the app with your account details.

3. Go to the “Profile,” “Settings,” “Account Information,” or “Help” area.

4. Find where it says “View BVN,” or “Check BVN,” or something like that.

5. Follow the instructions to view your BVN

Benefits of checking BVN with mobile banking app

1. It is very asy for people who use mobile banking apps

2. It is free for all bank customers

Disadvantages of checking BVN with mobile banking app

1. You need internet connection and the bank’s app on your phone in order to check your BVN.

2. Checking BVN with mobile banking app might not be the same for all banks

3. Checking BVN with your banks ATM

Steps:

1. Put in your ATM card and type your PIN.

2. Look for “Check BVN” or something like it in the ATM menu.

3. Your BVN will appear on the screen.

Benefits of checking BVN with ATM

1. It is easy for people who often go to ATMs.

2. You can do this any time at ATM spots.

Disadvantages of checking BVN with ATM

1. You need to find an ATM, and not all ATMs might have this option.

4. Going to a Bank Branch:

You can go to your bank and ask the customer care at the desk for your BVN.

You might need to show a valid ID to prove who you are.

Benefits of checking BVN at bank’s branch

1. This Lets you talk to someone face-to-face and get answers to your questions right away

Disadvantages of checking BVN at bank’s branch

1. You can only check your BVN at bank’s branch when it’s open and it is time consuming.

2. You might have to stand in queue at the bank.

5. Checking BVN at NIBSS website

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has a way to check BVNs.

But you might not be able to see your full BVN info on the NIBSS website.

Why do you need BVN as a Nigerian?

1. Key for bank tasks

(a)Starting new bank accounts (savings current foreign currency)

(b)Asking for loans and credit cards

(c)Doing online and phone banking

(d)Sending money between banks

(e)Using e-payment systems (like POS, phone money sends)

2. It helps in getting money services

Needed to get various money services, like insurance, investments, and pension plans.

3. It helps the government to carry out certain tasks

It might be needed by the government to carry out certain tasks, like paying taxes, getting social aid, and applying for passports.

4. It is used in checking who you are:

It acts as a one of a kind identifier for people in Nigeria’s financial system improving security and cutting down on identity theft.

5. It helps in carrying out business operations

Companies use the BVN to check the identities of their workers and customers.

How can I protect my BVN?

1. Always hide your BVN from people that you don’t trust including your friends, family and strangers

2. Be careful of unknown callers claiming to be your bank’s customer care requesting for your BVN be a lot of damage can be done to you using your BVN.

3. Avoid posting your BVN on social media as scammers can use it for scam.

4. Watch out for scammers calling and texting you to send your BVN in order to win some money or other tempting offers.

5. If you suspect that someone is making use of your BVN without your knowledge, call and complain to your bank immediately.

6. Always check your bank statements and to identify and unknown transactions so as to take action immediately.

7. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your online and mobile banking apps.

To wrap this up

The BVN is key to Nigeria’s financial system. When you know how to check your BVN and take steps to keep your info safe, you can make sure your money and bank account stays secure. You’ll also be able to use the many services that need BVN checks.

Heads up:

This info is just a general guide and might change.

Check the official websites of your bank and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to get the latest info and specific steps.

This information does not count as financial or legal advice.

Note

This info serves as general guidance and might change anytime. Check the officia

l websites of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant regulatory bodies to get the most accurate and up to date info.