How to block First Bank account in Minutes with different methods

If you are a customer or user of the first bank and you intend to block your account, which might be because of some situations like you lost your ATM card, your phone was stolen and the SIM used for transactions being on it and maybe you get debited every time which was authorized by your, then you must block your first bank account to prevent future occurrence.

When you block your account you will be blocked from some transactions like transfers online payments, ATM withdrawals, P.O.S withdrawals and purchases will be denied access to services until you unblock the account number. Blocking your first bank account number gives you rest of mind for periods when you want when necessary like changing the phone number use, A.T.M card and even going as far as blocking the sim card.

Blocking  Your account means that no debit transactions, such as transfers, online payments, ATM withdrawals, or POS purchases, can take place on your account until you unblock it. This way, you can prevent any potential loss or damage to your funds and personal information. Blocking your account also gives you a comfortable state of mind and allows you to take the necessary steps to recover your phone or ATM card, or report any suspicious activity on your account.

Blocking your account the moment that your phone is lost, an ATM card is stolen or unrecognized transactions going on with your account will save you a lot of headaches, will stop the fraudsters from accessing your and even make your funds secure. First Bank has evolved over the years and they have created room for this in case of this unfortunate occurrence. 

First Bank has developed various means to allow you to block your account number even without physical interaction of visiting their brand. They can be through SMS, USSD code, customer or by visiting a branch especially when you are so close to the bank. Each method is very effective and works immediately in minutes. All of the methods have their respective benefits and their limitations encountered when exploring them. In this article, we will show step by step guide used in each method, their benefits and limitations.

How to Block First Bank Account Using SMS

Proven to be One of the easiest and fastest ways to block your First Bank account. All you have to do isan an SMS with the word “BLOCK” to 30012 using the phone number registered with your bank account. This method works for both mobile phones and smartphones, as long as their SMs is running and there is a network connection in the area where you send the SMS, both your bank account and ATM card will be blocked immediately.

The advantages of this method

1. It is simple and convenient. You do not need any internet connection or app installation.

2. It is secure and reliable. You do not need to disclose any personal or account information.

3. It is free of charge. You do not need to pay any fee for sending the SMS.

The disadvantages of this method

1. It requires that you have access to the phone number registered with your bank account. If you lose or change your phone number, you will not be able to use this method. We have our phone number used for the transaction that gets lost with the sim so Simsight not be able to use this method.

2. It does not provide any confirmation or feedback. You will not receive any reply or notification after sending the SMS, so you might not know maybe what you have done is successful or not 

How to Block First Bank Account Using USSD Code

Another way to block your First Bank account is by dialling the code from any phone. The USSD code is *894*911#. This method works for both mobile phones and smartphones, as long as they have USSD functions and you are within a network-covered place. Once you dial the code, you will be prompted to enter the phone number linked with your bank account that you want to deactivate. After entering the phone number, both your bank account and ATM card will be blocked immediately.

The advantages of this method

1. It is easy and quick. You do not need any internet connection or app installation.

2. It is secure and reliable. You only need to enter the phone number linked with your bank account, which is not sensitive information.

3. It provides confirmation and feedback. You will receive a reply or notification after dialling the code, giving you the assurance that it is successful or not.

The disadvantages of this method

1. It requires that you have access to any phone that can dial USSD codes. If you do not have a phone available, you will not be able to use this method.

2. It may incur charges. Depending on your network provider, you may be charged a fee for dialling the USSD code. You might be in a tight situation if you don’t have airtime on the phone.

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How to Block First Bank Account Using Customer Support

If you do not have access to the phone number registered with your bank account, or you prefer to speak to a human representative, you can block your First Bank account by contacting customer support via the following channels:

1. Phone: You can call the following numbers: 0700 FIRST CONTACT (0700-34778-2668228), 01-4485500, or 0708-062-5000. These numbers are available 24/7.

2. Email: You can send an email to firstcontact@firstbanknigeria.com. This email address is managed and responded to during working hours.

 3. Social media: You can send a direct message to the official Twitter handle @FirstBankngr or the official Facebook page FirstBank Nigeria, make sure this is verified with a blue tick as many scammers pose as first bank Representatives.

When you contact customer support, you will need to provide some information to verify your identity and account ownership, such as your name, account number, date of birth, address, or security questions. After verifying your information, customer support will block your bank account and ATM card for you.

The advantages of this method

1. It is flexible and personalized. You can choose the channel that suits you best and communicate with a human representative who can assist you with any issues or inquiries, even beyond blocking the account 

II. It is detailed and thorough. You can provide more details about your situation and request additional services or information.

The disadvantages of this method

I. It is time-consuming, it may take longer and more tedious. You may have to wait for a long time before getting connected to a customer support agent or getting a response from an email or social media message. You may also have to answer any questions or provide many documents to verify your identity and account ownership, Damages would have already been done during this period sure it is not a serious issue that requires a quick response when you use these methods 

II.It may be less secure and reliable. You may have to disclose some personal or account information that could be intercepted or misused by third parties, you might even fall into scammers who pose as first bank representatives. You may also encounter some technical difficulties or errors during the communication process.

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How to Block First Bank Account by Visiting a Branch

The last resort to block your First Bank account is by visiting the nearest bank branch. This method is suitable if you do not have access to any phone, internet, or email, if you want to block your account in person or if you are close to the bank To use this method, you will need to bring some documents with you, such as your ID card, such as NIN or Voter’s card, you can bring your ATM card along if it is available, or any other proof of account ownership. You will also need to fill out a form and sign it to authorize the blocking of your account.

The advantages of this method

I. It is face-to-face and direct. You can interact with bank staff who can help you with any issues or inquiries.

II. It is complete and final. You can get a confirmation receipt or statement that shows that your account has been blocked.

The disadvantages of this method

It is time-consuming and inconvenient. You will have to travel to the bank branch, which may be far or crowded. You will also have to queue up and wait for your turn, which may take a long time.

It may incur costs. You may have to pay for transportation, parking, or other expenses related to visiting the bank branch. cost of transportation has toppled nowadays 

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 How to Unblock First Bank Account

After blocking your First Bank account, you may want to unblock it when you recover your phone or ATM card, or when you resolve any issues or suspicions on your account. To unblock your account, you will need to follow different steps depending on the method of blocking that you used. Some of the methods take time and some might need you to provide proof, an ID card or even a Court or Police Affidavit.

If you blocked your account using SMS, you will need to visit the nearest bank branch with your ID card and ATM card (if available) fill out a form and sign it to authorize the unblocking of your account.

If you blocked your account using the USSD code, you will need to dial 894911# again from any phone and enter the phone number linked with your bank account that you want to reactivate. After entering the phone number, both your bank account and ATM card will be unblocked immediately.

If you blocked your account using customer support, you will need to contact customer support again via the same channel that you used to block your account. You will need to provide information to verify your identity and account ownership, such as your name, account number, date of birth, address, or security questions. After verifying your information, customer support will unblock your bank account and ATM card for you.

If you blocked your account by visiting a branch, you will need to visit the same bank branch with your ID card and ATM card (if available) fill out a form and sign it to authorize the unblocking of your account.

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Conclusion

Having explored why you block your accounts in case of unforeseen circumstances,  we have also highlighted various methods used when you want your first bank account to be blocked in minutes, Some of these are why the various mentioned are tailored to your urgent needs. We also explained various benefits and limitations associated with each method.

If you encounter or come across any problems using these methods, do not hesitate to rush to the nearest branch for help. Trust your information with an official bank Representative or someone you can trust. If you later retrieve your phone or you can access your phone or ATM card remember to unlock your account again to resume your financial transactions.