How to Know If a BVN is Blacklisted in Nigeria

Felix Williams Banking May 13, 2023

This is How to Know If a BVN is Blacklisted in Nigeria or not. Yes, this applies if you’re worried about your BVN due to the challenges you’re faced recently.

It’s no longer news that the Central Bank of Nigeria has blacklisted some bank verification numbers. If your BVN is blacklisted, it means you will not be able to make use of your account for transactions; in the long run, you cannot even have access to your account.

This can be a huge problem, especially when you link the bank verification number to multiple accounts.

In this article, I will be teaching you how to know if your BVN is blacklisted, why it is blacklisted, and how you can remove your BVN from being blacklisted. So take a seat and make sure you read this article to the end.

First of all, we need to understand what BVN stands for. The bank verification number is a unique 11-digit code that is given to all account holders in Nigeria.

It is used to avoid fraud, embezzlement, and transactions made in a fraudulent account. If you find out that your BVN is blacklisted, that means your account has been flagged and is suspected to be linked with criminal activity.

What is BVN blacklisting?

Once your BVN has been blacklisted or you are experiencing blacklisting, it certainly means you don’t have control over or access to your account.

This happens for various reasons, but most often blacklisting happens once you fail to repay an outstanding loan. Now you might be wondering how to know if your BVN is blacklisted.

The simplest way to ascertain if your BVN is blacklisted is to check the BVN database, which contains a list of BVN that have been blacklisted in the country. You can access it on the National Identity Management Commission website.

If you notice that your BVN is on the list, you don’t need to get scared, depressed, or afraid because there are several ways to prevent your BVN from being blacklisted.

The first question that is supposed to come to your mind is why your BVN is blacklisted. There are various ways to find out why your BVN is blacklisted.

What are the signs that a BVN has been blacklisted In Nigeria?

If, after any of the above methods, your BVN was blacklisted and it shows that it was blacklisted, then there are some consequences you will face.

Below are the signs:

Sign 1: You won’t be able to apply for a loan.

Small- and large-scale business owners can apply for loans at the bank, which come with an interest rate, but the loan grant will be rejected if your BVN has been blacklisted. It is a painful experience and should be earnestly avoided. This is one of the ways to tell if your BVN is blacklisted.

Sign 2: You will be restricted from traveling outside the country.

So many students have been denied access to scholarship offers because one of the criteria is to have a valid bank account that must be linked to a BVN.

But once your BVN has been blacklisted, it is impossible to get the scholarship. This sign is really common among young entrepreneurs and students.

Sign 3: You will be added to the list of blacklisted people, which will make it difficult to start a business.

One sign to know that your BVN is blacklisted is that all banks will be informed about all blacklisted BVN, and once you want to start a business (which will require capital), it becomes impossible because a red flag is in your account, which is a blacklisted BVN. It is also a good sign to know if your BVN is blacklisted.

Sign 4: You won’t be able to access your account or other accounts you have linked with your BVN.

Remember, you are required to have only one BVN, no matter the multiple accounts in your name. So once your BVN is blacklisted, it also affects all the linked accounts.

This is the principal sign of how to know if your BVN is blacklisted: you will not have access to make transactions, especially in the withdrawal aspect.

Why was my BVN blacklisted?

Below are some reasons why your BVN can be blacklisted:

1. If you have a debt that you are yet to pay:

So many people forget that before applying for a loan, you will be required to input your BVN, but once it fails to pay the outstanding loan, rest assured that it is the reason why your BVN is blacklisted.

2. If you have been placed on the watch list by the Central Bank of Nigeria:

All Nigerian accounts are monitored by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Once the transaction in your account is a breach of how you are supposed to transact based on the amount withdrawn or the money entering the account, you will be placed on the watchlist, which will make your BVN blacklisted.

3. History of embezzlement and money laundering:

This is a common reason that affects most fraudsters. Once you have histories of money laundering or fraud, your BVN is blacklisted.

How can I get my BVN removed from the blacklist?

Given the above reasons why your BVN was blacklisted, you will want to know how to get it removed from the blacklist.

Below are the steps to take to remove your BVN from the blacklist.

Approach the NIBBS and ask for help.
Contact your bank and request the immediate removal of your BVN from the blacklist.
Visit the National Identity Management Commission and request a “white list” status.
Get a clearance letter from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.
Make sure you pay all your outstanding debt.
Request a letter of removal from your bank.
Apply to the presidential committee for verification and clearing of defaulters.

Conclusion

You can also go to the Central Bank of Nigeria website and click on “BVN status checker.” If your BVN is blacklisted, you will see a message indicating that your account has been closed.

It’s a wrap-up. I believe I have been able to teach you how to know if your BVN is blacklisted, why it is blacklisted, the consequences, and how to remove it from the blacklist.Co-

Co-Written with: Tunde Martins

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