OPay Debunks Viral Post, Says Phone Numbers Still Work as Account Numbers

Fintech company OPay has rejected a viral social media claim that it has stopped using customers’ phone numbers as wallet account numbers, describing the information as false and misleading.

The company also threatened possible legal action against the individual who circulated the claim, saying misinformation concerning a financial institution could mislead customers, create unnecessary panic and cause reputational damage.

The controversy followed a post by an X user, Israel Gharee, who claimed that OPay had discontinued the use of phone numbers as account numbers and was now issuing standard account numbers to customers.

The post advised customers still using their phone numbers as OPay account numbers to visit OPay agents to have their accounts updated.

However, OPay, in a response posted on its official X account, dismissed the claim.

“OPay still uses phone numbers as wallet account numbers,” the company stated, adding that customers did not need to visit an OPay agent to upgrade or change their account numbers.

The fintech company urged customers to disregard the information and rely on its verified communication channels for updates concerning their accounts.

OPay further warned that the deliberate creation and circulation of false information about a financial institution could have wider consequences.

“Creating and intentionally sharing false and misleading information about a financial institution can mislead the public, create unnecessary panic and cause reputational harm,” the company said.

The company subsequently requested the author of the post to delete it within 30 minutes, warning that failure to comply could result in “further legal action as appropriate.”

The clarification is particularly significant because OPay’s account structure allows regular customers to use their registered mobile numbers as wallet account identifiers.

However, the platform also has a separate My BizPayment feature that can provide eligible users with a merchant account number for business transactions, while the existence of such business account numbers does not mean the company has discontinued phone-number-based wallet accounts.

This controversy is unfolding amid a history of misinformation surrounding the fintech company. Earlier this month, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre arrested an X user for spreading a false notice that claimed OPay was shutting down and urged customers to withdraw their money. According to police, the post gained roughly 572,000 views within minutes.

The Central Bank of Nigeria lists OPay Digital Services Limited among licensed mobile money operators in the country, underscoring its position within Nigeria’s regulated payments ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the CBN’s Payments System Vision 2028 identifies security, consumer protection, trust and collaboration as key priorities for Nigeria’s evolving payments ecosystem.

This development places greater importance on accurate communication around digital financial services, particularly as millions of Nigerians increasingly depend on electronic platforms for payments and transfers.

The fintech company therefore advised members of the public to verify financial information through its official channels before sharing or acting on such claims, stressing that customers should not undertake any account changes based solely on unverified social media posts.