To get SMS notifications from Absa, you'll need to use their "NotifyMe" service. While Absa has shifted towards in-app notifications for all transactions at no extra cost, you can still opt to receive SMS notifications by visiting an Absa branch for assistance. For general setup, you can typically activate NotifyMe through the Absa online banking portal, by calling their telephone banking service, or by visiting a branch. You can also customise your notifications, choosing to receive updates daily or weekly, setting specific times for alerts, and even defining a minimum transaction amount for which you want to be notified.

How to Activate Absa SMS Notifications

Staying on top of your bank account activity is super important for security and managing your money. Absa offers a service called "NotifyMe" that helps you do just that. While they've been pushing app notifications lately, getting SMS alerts is still an option, though it might take a small extra step.

Here's how you can usually get your Absa SMS notifications set up:

• Absa Online Banking: This is often the quickest way to manage your banking alerts. Log in to your Absa online banking profile. Once you're in, look for a "Profile" or "Settings" tab. This is where you'll find the options to manage your "NotifyMe" settings. You can choose to get updates via SMS, email, or even in-app messages.
• Telephone Banking: If you prefer talking to someone or don't have easy access to online banking, you can call Absa's telephone banking service on 08600 08600. Just choose option 1, and a consultant should be able to help you activate or adjust your SMS notifications.
• Visit an Absa Branch: This is especially important if you've found that your SMS notifications have stopped or you're having trouble setting them up through other channels. Absa advises that customers who want to keep receiving all NotifyMe messages via SMS for every transaction should visit a branch for help. They can guide you through the process and make sure your account is correctly set up.

I remember a time when I was trying to keep a closer eye on my spending, and I loved getting an SMS every time I used my card. It really helped me stick to my budget. One month, I noticed I wasn't getting all the messages, and it turned out I just needed to adjust a setting in my online banking profile. It was a small fix, but it made a big difference in how I managed my daily finances.

Personalising Your Alerts

One cool thing about Absa's NotifyMe service is that you can customise it to suit your needs. You're not stuck with a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Frequency: You can choose if you want daily or weekly updates on your account balance.
• Timing: Decide when you want to get your notifications. You can set them for longer hours (like 6 AM to 10 PM), office hours (8 AM to 5 PM), or even 24/7 if you want to know about every transaction as it happens.
• Minimum Amount: This is a neat feature. You can set a minimum amount for transactions you want to be notified about. For example, if you only want to know about transactions of R100 or more, you can set that up. Or, if you want to track every single cent, you can set the minimum to R0.

Before I moved over to relying mostly on the banking app, I had my SMS notifications set to a minimum of R50. It meant I wasn't getting spammed with tiny transactions, but I still knew about anything significant happening with my money. It gave me a good balance of awareness without being overwhelmed.

Keeping an eye on your account through SMS notifications or in-app alerts is a smart move. It helps you spot anything unusual quickly and keeps your money safe.