Accidentally sent money to the wrong person or found an unknown debit order on your statement? Knowing how to reverse money on the ABSA app can save you a lot of worry. While the app mostly lets you reverse debit orders easily, for other types of payments like Instant EFTs, you'll need to follow different steps outside the app, usually by contacting the person you paid or Absa directly for a dispute.

We've all been there - scrolling through our bank statement and seeing something that just doesn't look right. Maybe it's a small debit order for a service you cancelled ages ago, or perhaps you made a quick payment in the app and only realised afterwards you typed in the wrong number. Whatever the reason, if you need to reverse money, it's good to know your options with the ABSA app. The good news is that for many common issues, especially with debit orders, the process is pretty simple.

Reversing a Debit Order on the ABSA App: Step-by-Step

If you need to reverse a debit order, the ABSA app is often the quickest way to do it. Here’s how you can get it done:

1. Log in to the Absa Banking App: Open the app on your phone and enter your secure details to get into your account.

2. Go to the Menu: Look for the "Menu" button, usually at the bottom right of your screen, and tap it.

3. Select "Debit orders": From the menu, find and tap on "Debit orders." This will show you recent payments.

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 until you find the specific one you want to reverse. Tap on it for more details.

6. Start the Reversal: You'll see an option to "Reverse Payment." Tap this. The app will show you some important information to read. Tap "Next" to move on.

7. Pick a Reason: You'll need to choose why you're reversing the payment from a list of options.

8. Confirm the Reversal: Accept any notices and tap "Reverse payment" again. A verification request will pop up on your device (like SureCheck). Accept this to finish.

9. Done! You should get a message saying the debit order has been successfully reversed.

I remember one time, I noticed a debit order for a gym membership that I thought I had cancelled months ago. It was a small amount, so I almost missed it. Using these exact steps on the Absa app, I reversed it in minutes. It was such a relief not to have to call anyone or go into a branch.

Important Things to Remember About Debit Order Reversals:

• Time Limit: You can usually only reverse debit orders that are less than 40 days old using the app. If it's older, you'll need to contact Absa via email or visit a branch.
• Amount Limit: The app lets you reverse debit orders up to R500. For bigger amounts, you might also need to email `debitorder@absa.co.za` or go to a branch.
• Stopping Future Payments: Reversing a debit order only deals with that specific payment. It won't stop the company from trying to debit your account again in the future. To stop this, you must contact the service provider directly to cancel your agreement with them. Absa keeps an instruction to cancel a debit order for six months, but after that, the service provider might try again.

For more details on reversing debit orders, check out our guide on How to Reverse a Debit Order on the ABSA App.

What About Other Payments? (EFTs, Card Payments, PayShap)

It's important to know that direct "reverse payment" options on the Absa app are mostly for debit orders. For other types of payments, the process is different:

• Instant EFTs: These payments are processed right away, so once the money leaves your account, you usually can't reverse them directly through the Absa app. Your best bet is to contact the person or company you sent the money to immediately and ask for a refund. If they refuse and you believe it was a mistake or fraud, you might need to involve Absa's dispute resolution team with proof.
• Scheduled Payments (after processing): If you set up a payment to go out later and it has already been sent, the same rules as Instant EFTs apply. If it hasn't gone off yet, you might be able to cancel it in the "scheduled payment" section of your app or online banking.
• Card Payments (Debit or Credit): For payments made with your card online or in a store, reversing the transaction depends on the merchant. You should contact the merchant first to ask for a refund. If there's an issue like fraud or an incorrect charge and the merchant won't help, then contact Absa to report it and start a dispute process.

A few months ago, I was buying tickets for a concert and accidentally entered the wrong amount for an EFT. I immediately realised my mistake after clicking "send." There was no "reverse" button for that kind of payment on the app. I quickly called the ticket vendor's customer service, explained what happened, and thankfully, they were able to process a refund for the excess amount. It taught me to double-check everything before hitting that final button!

• PayShap Payment Requests: If you sent a PayShap payment request and it hasn't been accepted yet, you can cancel it through the Absa app. Go to "Pay," then "Payment requests (PayShap request)," tap "Sent requests," select the request, and tap "Cancel request."

When to Contact Absa Directly

If you're unsure about how to reverse a specific payment, or if the amount is large or involves fraud, it’s always best to contact Absa customer support. You can find their contact details on the Absa website or within the app. They can guide you through the correct steps for your situation.

While reversing payments can sometimes be a hassle, keeping track of your transactions and acting fast helps a lot. And hey, while you’re managing your money, remember you can also save some by earning rewards with apps like Points Castle.