The OPAY Debit Card can be linked to an account in two different methods: linking it yourself through your OPAY app if you've requested the card from the app, and linking it through an OPAY agent/merchant (otherwise known as card sales agent).
In this article, I will explain to you how to link the card to your OPAY using both methods. But before that, I want to encourage you to read how OPAY virtual debit card works so that you can have a broad knowledge of the platform's entire debit cards system.
How to Link a Debit Card to an OPAY Account
Use any of these methods to link a debit card to your OPAY account:
Method 1: Linking it yourself
This method only works if you've requested the OPAY physical debit card through your OPAY account. The card will be delivered to your submitted delivery address and when the card arrives, you can then link it up. To link the card to your account:
- Open your OPAY app and go to the “Card” section by tapping “Card” tab located at the bottom of the app's interface.
- Click on “Activate Card Now” and input the “Card Number”.
- You will see the card number on the letter inside the envelope where your card is packaged.
- Click on "Confirm", and an OTP code will be sent to the phone number linked to your account.
- Confirm the code and proceed to set up your card's 4-digit transaction PIN.
- Once you set up your Card PIN, you card will be successfully linked to your account and you can begin using it for transactions at POS, ATM, and online stores.
This method is much like activating your card. Once you activate the debit card, it'll be linked to account.
Method 2: Get an OPAY Agent to Link it
Using this method, you don't have to do anything; the card sale agent who sold the debit card for you will link the card to your OPAY account through their business app. Once the card is linked, you will see the card's first five digit numbers in your dashboard under the card section. You can then follow these steps, as instructed by your agent, to complete the linking:
- The agent/merchant will tell you to log in to your OPAY account. However, you must be in tier 2/3 for card features to work on your account.
- After that, you will have to tap the “Card” tab at the bottom of your app's interface and click “Activate Card”.
- Input the last 4 digits of the card number and select “Confirm”. The first digit numbers of the card will be visible on the page because the card has already been assigned to the account.
- Now, you'll asked to set your Card PIN. Enter your preferred 4-digit PIN.
- An OTP will be sent to the phone number linked to your OPAY account. Confirm the code and tap continue.
- After this process, your card will be linked successfully to your OPAY account. You can begin to use the card for transactions on ATM, POS, and online platforms/stores.
Notably, you can also link your card via USSD banking. All you need to do is dial *995*0312# on the OPAY-registered phone number linked to your account and enter the last 4 digits of the card numbers. After that, set your Card PIN and confirm your actions using your USSD banking PIN. Once the card is activated, you will receive a congratulations message saying, “Congratulations, you have successfully activated the OPAY Instant Debit Card!"
How to Fix “OPAY Card Activation Failed”
There are a few reasons you are unable to link or activate your OPAY debit card:
- You enter the wrong Card Number.
- You didn't submit the correct OTP code sent to your phone number.
- If the OTP is delayed and the time lapses before the code is submitted.
- The card linked to your account is not the one you're trying to activate.
- If your OPAY is outdated.
- If OPay detects suspicious transactions, too many failed attempts, or unusual activity, it can temporarily limit card functions and activation.
- Your OPay account is not fully verified. You must be in tier 2 or 3 to use card features on OPAY.
- Sometimes, network or server issues from OPay can also caused activation failure.
- Lastly, the card may already be blocked or expired before activation.
These are the reasons your OPAY debit card is not activating, and once you know the cause of the failure problem, you can then know how to fix it. If your OTP code expires before use, request a new one. If your OPAY app is outdated, update it to the latest version on your device's app store. If it's network or server issues, wait until OPAY fix it from their end before you try again.
If it's account verification issues, get your account upgraded to tier 2 or 3 using NIN and BVN. If the card is expired before you activate it, request a new card. If your account is temporarily restricted, contact OPAY support to know why and how to fix. Overall, if you know the cause of the card activation failure, you should know how to fix it.
