FNB eWallet Not Received – How to Fix It (Updated 2025 Guide)

Banking & Money / December 13, 2025 / Melly Brown

If you’ve been sent money via FNB eWallet but it’s not showing up or you haven’t received the expected SMS notification, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common issues with FNB’s popular instant money transfer service in South Africa. The good news? Most cases can be resolved quickly with a few simple checks.

FNB eWallet allows anyone with a valid South African cellphone number to receive money instantly, even without a bank account. Transfers are supposed to be immediate, but delays or missing funds can happen due to network issues, incorrect details, or other factors.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the most common reasons why your FNB eWallet money might not have arrived and provide step-by-step fixes to get it sorted fast. We’ll also explain what to do if you need to contact support or request a reversal.

Why Haven’t I Received My FNB eWallet Money?

Here are the top reasons for “FNB eWallet not received” complaints (based on official FNB guidelines and user reports):

No SMS Notification Received FNB sends an SMS instantly when money is sent successfully. If you didn’t get it:
- Network provider delays or blocks (common with certain networks like Telkom).
- Phone in a low-signal area or Do Not Disturb mode enabled.
- SMS inbox full or spam filters active.
Incorrect Cellphone Number Entered by Sender The most frequent cause – money sent to the wrong number means it goes to someone else (or stays pending).
Funds Not Yet Accessed or Activated You must “activate” or access the eWallet via USSD to use the funds. Unclaimed funds auto-reverse to the sender after about 12-14 business days.
SIM Not RICA’d or Network Issues Unregistered SIM cards can block access to funds.
Sender’s Transaction Failed or Was Flagged Fraud detection, limits exceeded, or sender’s account issues can prevent the transfer.
Technical Glitches or Outages Rare, but FNB app/USSD downtime can cause delays.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix FNB eWallet Not Received

Follow these steps in order – most users resolve the issue within minutes.

Step 1: Confirm with the Sender

Ask the sender to check their transaction history (via FNB App, Online Banking, or 120321#).
They should see if the eWallet was sent successfully and to which number.
If sent to the wrong number, the sender can reverse it immediately (only possible if funds not withdrawn):
- Via FNB App: Go to Send Money > Transaction History > Select transaction > Reverse.
- USSD: Dial 120321# > Select eWallet Reversal.
- Note: Reversals may incur a fee and aren’t guaranteed if funds are already accessed.

Step 2: Check for the SMS Yourself

Search your phone for messages from “FNB” or containing “120277#”.
If no SMS but sender confirms it was sent:
- Try dialing 120277# anyway – this accesses eWallet services and may prompt balance enquiry.

Step 3: Access Your eWallet Balance Manually

Even without the initial SMS, you can check and activate:

Dial *120*277# on the cellphone number the money was sent to.
Select options to:
- Get balance.
- Withdraw cash (generate ATM PIN).
- Buy airtime/electricity.
If no airtime to dial: First dial *130*277# (uses potential eWallet funds to buy minimal airtime).

Step 4: Generate a New ATM PIN if Needed

Dial 120277# > Select ‘Withdraw Cash’ > ‘Get ATM PIN’.
PIN is valid for 4-16 hours (depending on update).

Step 5: Other Quick Checks

Ensure your SIM is RICA-registered.
Restart your phone or switch networks temporarily.
Check if the sender’s daily/monthly limits were exceeded (e.g., max R5,000 balance, varying send limits).

When to Contact FNB Support

If the above doesn’t work:

Call the eWallet Helpline: 087 575 9405 (24/7, dedicated for eWallet issues).
Provide: Sender’s details, amount, date sent, and your cellphone number.
They can trace the transaction and assist with reversals or disputes.
Alternative: Use Secure Chat on the FNB App or visit a branch.

Tip: Act fast – unclaimed eWallet funds auto-reverse to the sender after 12-14 business days.

Related post: How to Reverse a Payment on Capitec

Preventing FNB eWallet Issues in the Future

Always double-confirm the recipient’s cellphone number.
Senders: Use the FNB App for saved contacts.
Recipients: Link your eWallet to the FNB App for easier access and notifications.
Stay updated: Check FNB’s site for any service alerts.

FNB eWallet is reliable for instant transfers, but human error (wrong number) causes most “not received” problems. By following these steps, you’ll likely resolve it quickly.

If you’ve experienced this issue recently, share your fix in the comments below – it helps others!

Last updated: December 2025. Information based on official FNB guidelines.

For official details, visit FNB eWallet page or call 087 575 9405.