How to Reverse a Debit Order on the ABSA App

Sometimes, things pop up on your bank statement that you don't recognise, or maybe you just made a mistake. Learning how to reverse a debit order on the Absa app can be super helpful when this happens. It's a common issue, and luckily, Absa has made the process pretty straightforward right from your phone.
You can reverse a debit order on the Absa app by logging in, tapping "Menu," then "Debit orders," selecting the account and the specific debit order, tapping "Reverse Payment," choosing a reason, and confirming the reversal through a verification request.
Reversing a Debit Order Step-by-Step
Here's how you can quickly get that unwanted debit order reversed using your Absa app:
1. Log in to your Absa Banking App: Open the app on your phone and enter your secure details to log in.
2. Go to the Menu: Look for the "Menu" button, usually found at the bottom right of your screen, and tap it.
3. Select "Debit orders": From the menu options, find and tap on "Debit orders." This will show you all the recent debit orders from your account.
4. Choose the Right Account: If you have more than one account, pick the one from which the debit order was taken.
5. Find the Debit Order: Under "Recent debit orders," scroll to find the specific one you want to reverse. Tap on it to see more details.
6. Start the Reversal: You'll see an option to "Reverse Payment." Tap this. The app will show you some important info to read. Tap "Next" to continue.
7. Pick a Reason: You'll need to select why you're reversing the payment from a list of options.
8. Confirm the Reversal: Accept the acknowledgement or disclaimer, then tap "Reverse payment" again. A verification request will pop up on your phone. Accept this to finish the process.
9. Done! You should get a message saying the debit order has been successfully reversed.
I remember once I saw a small debit order I didn't recognise. It was for a streaming service I'd tried a long time ago and thought I'd cancelled. I immediately went through these steps on my Absa app, and the money was back in my account almost instantly. It was such a relief not to have to call anyone!
Important Things to Remember
There are a few key things to keep in mind when reversing a debit order on the Absa app:
- Time Limit: You can only reverse debit orders that are less than 40 days old using the app. If it's older than that, you'll need to visit an Absa branch or email them at debitorder@absa.co.za.
- Amount Limit: The app lets you reverse debit orders up to R500. For larger amounts, you'll also need to email debitorder@absa.co.za or go to a branch.
- Stopping Future Payments: Reversing a debit order only deals with that single payment. It doesn't stop the company from trying to debit your account again in the future. To prevent this, you need to contact the service provider directly to cancel your subscription or agreement with them. Absa's system will keep an instruction to cancel a debit order for six months, but after that, the service provider might try again.
A few months ago, my gym membership debited me twice in one month. I quickly reversed the extra debit order on the app, but I also made sure to call the gym right away to sort out why it happened and ensure it wouldn't happen again. It's always best to deal with the company directly to stop future issues.
If you find yourself needing to reverse a debit order and it's outside the app's limits, don't hesitate to reach out to Absa's customer service or visit your nearest branch for help. They can guide you through the process for older or larger amounts.
It's a good idea to keep an eye on your bank statements regularly to catch any unexpected transactions. Just like with Absa, if you're a Capitec user and need to reverse a debit order, you can find helpful steps in our guide on How to Reverse a Debit Order on the Capitec App.
Remember to check your bank statements often, and you can also find other ways to manage your finances and earn rewards, like getting free airtime and vouchers, by using the Points Castle App.





