Last Updated on July 4, 2026 by admin
Losing your ATM card or noticing suspicious activity on your bank account can be stressful. Fortunately, United Bank for Africa (UBA) provides several fast and convenient ways to block your account or ATM card before unauthorized transactions occur.
Whether your card has been lost, stolen, misplaced, or your phone has been compromised, acting quickly can help protect your money. UBA allows customers to block their ATM cards or accounts using USSD codes, mobile banking, internet banking, customer care, or by visiting the nearest branch.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about how to block a UBA account or ATM card, the situations when you should do it, and how to reactivate your banking services afterward.
Why You May Need to Block Your UBA Account or ATM Card
There are several reasons why customers choose to block their UBA account or debit card.
Some of the most common situations include:
- Your ATM card has been lost.
- Your card was stolen.
- Your phone containing your banking apps was stolen.
- You suspect fraudulent transactions.
- Your PIN has been exposed.
- Someone has unauthorized access to your account.
- You notice unusual debit alerts.
- You want to temporarily stop transactions while searching for your card.
The sooner you block your account or card, the lower the chances of financial loss.
What Happens When You Block Your UBA ATM Card?
Blocking your UBA ATM card is a quick way to protect your money if your card is lost, stolen, or you suspect unauthorized access. Once the card is blocked, it can no longer be used to carry out transactions such as:
- Cash withdrawals at ATMs
- Payments at Point of Sale (POS) terminals
- Online shopping and subscriptions
- International card transactions
- Contactless or tap-to-pay payments
It’s important to understand that blocking your ATM card does not freeze or close your UBA bank account. Your account remains fully active, so you can still receive salary payments, transfers, and other deposits without interruption.
If you also want to prevent all activity on your account, you’ll need to request that UBA place a restriction on the account itself. Otherwise, only the debit card is disabled while your account continues to function normally.
Blocking Your UBA ATM Card vs. Blocking Your Bank Account
Although these terms are often used interchangeably, blocking your ATM card and blocking your bank account are two different actions. Knowing the difference can help you choose the right option in an emergency.
Blocking Only Your ATM Card
When you block your UBA debit or ATM card, only the card is deactivated. Your bank account remains open and operational.
With your ATM card blocked:
- Your account stays active.
- You can continue to receive deposits and bank transfers.
- You may still be able to access your account through other banking channels, such as the UBA Mobile App, Internet Banking, or by visiting a branch, depending on the restrictions in place.
- The blocked debit card can no longer be used for ATM withdrawals, POS payments, online purchases, or contactless transactions.
This option is ideal if your card has been lost, stolen, or misplaced but you still need access to your account through alternative banking services.
Blocking Your Entire Bank Account
Blocking your bank account provides a higher level of protection by restricting nearly all account activity until the issue is resolved.
When your account is blocked:
- Cash withdrawals are disabled.
- Transfers to and from the account may be restricted.
- All debit card transactions are automatically stopped.
- Access to online and mobile banking may also be temporarily suspended.
- The account is secured against unauthorized transactions until UBA reactivates it.
This option is generally recommended if you believe your account details have been compromised, you notice suspicious transactions, or you suspect fraud. By blocking the entire account, you reduce the risk of further unauthorized access while you work with the bank to resolve the issue
Read: List of UBA ussd code for basic banking transactions
Steps to Register for UBA USSD
UBA USSD banking provides a convenient way for customers to manage their accounts using their mobile phones. The registration process is straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps.
This service allows users to perform various banking transactions without the need for internet access, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.
There are two registration options:
To do this, dial *919# to see the Main Menu and select your desired option. If the user is not yet registered, she/he would be presented with registration options:
With UBA Account
With UBA Prepaid Card
| 1 | Dial *919# on your mobile device |
| 2 | Press 1 to sign up |
| 3 | Choose to register with account number or UBA prepaid card |
| 4 | Select ‘Prepaid with pin’ or ‘Account with pin’ |
| 5 | Enter 10-digit account number or UBA prepaid number |
| 6 | Type in last 4 digits of UBA debit card or BVN |
| 7 | Create and confirm USSD mobile banking pin |
How to block uba atm card
You can block your UBA ATM card using these methods:
- USSD Code: Dial *919*10*#, follow the prompt and block your card
- Send BLOCK CARD to Leo on Facebook and WhatsApp and block your card. UBA Leo WhatsApp Number is 234 903 001 0007.
- UBA Mobile App: Log in to the UBA Mobile Banking App, go to the Self-Service section, and select Block Card
Blocking your card ensures that unauthorized transactions are prevented
How to Block Your UBA Account Using USSD
If you believe someone has access to your account, you can block the account itself.
Dial:
*919*9#
Follow the instructions displayed on your screen.
You may be asked to:
- Enter your account number
- Verify your identity
- Confirm the request
Once completed, your account will be restricted from outgoing transactions until it is reactivated.
How to Block Your UBA Account Using LEO UBA’s Virtual Assistant:
Use Leo, UBA’s Virtual Assistant: UBA customers can also freeze their account by chatting with Leo, the bank’s AI-powered virtual assistant. Leo is available on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram. Simply start a chat and send the message “FREEZE ACCOUNT”, then follow the prompts to secure your account.
Use the UBA Mobile App: Open the UBA Mobile Banking App and sign in to your account. Navigate to Account Settings or Card & Security Settings, then select the option to Block or Freeze your account or debit card. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your request.
Use UBA Leo on WhatsApp: You can also freeze your account by chatting with Leo, UBA’s AI-powered virtual assistant. Simply send “FREEZE ACCOUNT” to +234 903 001 0007 on WhatsApp and follow the prompts to secure your account.
Can You Unblock a UBA ATM Card?
Yes, depending on the reason the card was blocked.
If you temporarily blocked the card through the mobile app, you may be able to reactivate it from the same menu.
However, if the card was permanently blocked because it was lost or stolen, UBA may require you to request a new card instead.
Can You Receive Money After Blocking Your ATM Card?
Yes.
Blocking your debit card only prevents card transactions.
You can still:
- Receive salary payments
- Receive transfers
- Receive deposits
Your account remains active unless the account itself has also been blocked.
Can Someone Withdraw Money After Your Card Is Blocked?
No.
Once the card has been successfully blocked, it cannot be used for:
- ATM withdrawals
- POS payments
- Online purchases
- International transactions
This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized use.
Tips to Keep Your UBA Account Secure
Protecting your account goes beyond blocking your card when something goes wrong. Consider these best practices:
- Never share your ATM PIN.
- Do not disclose your mobile banking password.
- Enable transaction alerts.
- Change your passwords regularly.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking.
- Keep your phone locked with a secure PIN or biometric authentication.
- Review your account statements regularly.
- Report suspicious activity immediately.
Staying vigilant can help prevent fraud before it happens.
Read: United bank of Africa click credit: How to apply UBA payday loan
How To transfer money from UBA
Send money to a UBA account
You can send money to a UBA account using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*3*account number*amount# and press the call button.
- Follow the prompts to verify the recipient’s name and transaction amount.
- Input your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the transfer.
- You will receive an SMS confirming the successful transfer.
Send money to other banks
You can send money from your UBA account to other banks using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*4*account number*amount# and press the call button.
- Follow the prompts to verify the recipient’s name and transaction amount.
- Input your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the transfer.
- You will receive an SMS confirming the successful transfer.
You can send money to a UBA Prepaid Card using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*32# on your mobile phone.
- Choose the option for “Funds Transfer.”
- Select “Transfer to UBA Prepaid Card.”
- Input the 16-digit card number of the recipient’s UBA Prepaid Card.
- Specify the amount you want to transfer.
- Review the details and confirm.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN to complete the transaction
How to buy airtime from UBA
UBA offers a convenient way to purchase airtime using their USSD service. This service allows customers to buy airtime directly from their bank account without the need for internet access. The process is simple and can be completed in a few steps, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The USSD code for this service is *919#, which is easy to remember and use
Airtime top up for self
You can buy airtime for yourself from UBA using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*amount# on your mobile phone
- Follow the prompts and enter your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the purchase.
- Your phone will be credited with the airtime instantly
Example: *919*500# to buy ₦500 airtime).
How to buy Airtime top up for family and friends from UBA
You can buy airtime for family and friends from UBA using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*Phone Number* Amount# (e.g. *919*08123456789*1000#) on your mobile phone.
- Follow the prompts to verify the recipient’s phone number and transaction amount.
- Input your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the purchase.
- The recipient’s phone will be credited with the airtime instantly.
You can also buy airtime for others using the UBA Mobile App or UBA Internet Banking
How to buy data from UBA
UBA provides a convenient way to purchase mobile data using their USSD service. This service allows customers to buy airtime and data directly from their mobile phones without needing internet access
How o buy Data top up for self from UBA
You can buy a data top-up for yourself from UBA using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*14# (e.g, *919*14*1000# to buy ₦1000 worth of data) on your registered mobile line.
- Follow the prompts to verify the transaction.
- Input your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the purchase.
- Your phone will be credited with the data instantly.
How to buy Data top up for family and friends from UBA
You can buy a data top-up for family and friends from UBA using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*14*recipient’s phone number* amount# (e.g., *919*14*08123456789*1000# to buy ₦1000 worth of data for someone else) on your registered mobile line.
- Follow the prompts to verify the recipient’s phone number and transaction amount.
- Input your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the purchase.
- The recipient’s phone will be credited with the data instantly.
You can also buy data for others using the UBA Mobile App or UBA Internet Banking.
How to check UBA account balance
You can check your UBA account balance using USSD by following these steps:
- Dial *919*00# on your registered phone number.
- Select the option to check your balance.
- Input your UBA USSD PIN to authorize the request.
- Your account balance will be sent to you via SMS
How to change UBA PIN
You can change your UBA USSD PIN using these steps:
- Dial *919# on your registered phone number.
- Choose the option for “PIN Setup” from the menu.
- Input your current USSD PIN.
- Enter a new 4-digit PIN of your choice.
- Re-enter the new PIN to complete the process.
How to get uba Account Statement
You can get your UBA account statement using several methods:
- UBA Internet Banking: Log in to UBA Online Banking and go to the Account Services section. Select Request Statement of Account, enter the date range, and download or receive it via email.
- UBA Mobile App: Open the UBA Mobile Banking App, navigate to Product & Services, and select Request Bank Statement. Choose the duration and delivery method.
- Chat with Leo: Send ACCOUNT STATEMENT to Leo on Facebook or WhatsApp, follow the prompts, and receive your statement.
- Bank Branch: Visit a UBA branch and request a printed statement
What are the transaction limits available on UBA USSD?
The existing limits are:
PIN – ₦20,000 per transaction and per day
Token – ₦1m per transaction and per day (for customers with token but no indemnity)
Note: Airtime purchase has been limited to ₦5,000 per day and the only PIN authentication is required
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