Here are some of the benefits
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Absa Advantage

Get rewarded instantly by completing simple challenges on the Absa Banking App.

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Absa Rewards

Get cash back whenever you pay with your card and more.


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You can bank on us when it comes to your card and safety.

Here are some handy tips and information about your Absa debit card.

  • New card activation steps

    1. To activate your card, do a transaction at a point-of-sale or withdraw cash from any ATM, using your PIN.
    2. For a reissued card, use your previous card’s PIN.
    3. To retrieve your PIN
      • Log into your Absa Banking App, select Cards from the bottom menu and then select the relevant card.
      • Log into Absa Online, select Settings > My Card Management > PIN Retrieval and then the specific card from the dropdown menu.
      • Visit the nearest branch with your ID.
    4. For added security, activate your NotifyMe SMSs to receive transaction notifications. Customers who use the Absa App and have enabled push notifications in app, will receive their transaction notifications via App
  • Features of your debit card

    • Enhanced fraud protection with our range of chip cards.
    • Cash withdrawals at over 800 Absa ATMs, branches and cash acceptors points of sale.
    • Swipe and withdraw cash internationally.
    • Visa benefits.
    • Lost card protection. However, you need to notify the bank if your card is lost or stolen.
    • Option to personalise your debit card (you can request to have your name printed on your card and to have it delivered to you).
    • Safe and secure online shopping with Verified by Visa when you shop at participating 3D-Secure online merchants with SMS or in-App verification.
    • Increase or decrease your daily spend limit quickly and easily by logging in to your Absa Banking App, on Absa Online Banking, by calling us on 08600 08600.
  • Card safety tips

    • Memorise your PIN and store your card safely.
    • Don’t write your PIN down.
    • Never share your PIN with anyone.
    • Always watch your card at till points.
    • Make sure you get your card back after every purchase.
    • Never trust strangers or ask them for help at an ATM.
    • Treat your contactless card as cash – always keep it safe.
    • Temporarily lock, stop or replace your card anytime using your Absa Banking App.
    • If your card is retained by an ATM, contact us immediately and block your card before you leave.
    • Always cover the pin-pad or terminal each time you type in your PIN at an ATM.
    • Never share your one-time PIN or Password (OTP) with anyone.
    • We will never ask you for an OTP. If you receive a call asking for your OTP, hang-up immediately and contact our Absa Fraud Hotline on 0860 557 55, or report the incident via our Absa Mobile Banking App by selecting ‘Menu’, then ‘Report Fraud’.
    • Keep track of your account balances and transactions via the Absa Banking App or Absa Online Banking so that you can identify any suspicious activity on your account.
    • To report a lost or stolen card contact the 24/7 Absa Stop Card Centre on 0800 11 11 55.

Your Absa debit card is contactless-enabled and can be used to tap to pay for all transactions where the contactless/payWave symbol is displayed.

For transactions over R500, or merchant-dependent limits, you will be asked to enter your PIN.

Contactless transactions on your debit card are debited against your transactional account and transactions on your credit card are debited to your credit card account. These transactions will appear on your statement with all your other transactions.

Please safeguard your contactless-enabled card to avoid fraudulent use. We will never ask you to share your PIN to maintain your card or transaction limits via telephone, SMS or email.

If your contactless card is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement. A replacement fee may be charged. Call Absa immediately on 0800 11 11 55 if your card is lost or stolen or your PIN is compromised.

Opt for our value-added NotifyMe service to get SMS and/or email alerts when you transact.

Read more about your card’s contactless functionality.

Apart from contactless payments with your card, we offer access to a host of other innovative digital payment solutions such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay.

Please note: To provide our products and services, we collaborate with other companies, some of which may use our branding. Our Privacy Policy does not apply to these companies' websites. For their privacy policies, please refer to the respective service provider's site.

Need more help

For queries on your debit card account:

Call us on 08600 08600

Email us at absa@absa.co.za

For lost and stolen cards:

Call us on 0800 111 155 (24/7) | Absa Banking App