Mistakes happen. Maybe you meant to send GHS 50 but accidentally sent GHS 500. Or maybe you typed in a friend’s number but ended up sending money to a total stranger. It’s frustrating, right? The good news is that if you act fast, you might be able to get your money back.

MTN Ghana has a process for reversing incorrect Mobile Money (MoMo) transactions, but it’s not instant. You need to follow the right steps and act quickly. In this guide, we’ll break it all down in a simple and easy-to-follow way—like explaining it to a friend who just started using MoMo.

What You Should Know About MoMo Reversals

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• You have up to 30 days to report a mistaken transaction. After that, a reversal may not be possible.
• If the recipient has already spent or withdrawn the money, getting it back becomes tricky.
• The process isn’t instant—it can take up to 15 working days for MTN to investigate and process the reversal.
• Not all transactions are reversible. Payments to businesses or service providers (like ECG or Ghana Water) are usually final.

So, if you realize you’ve sent money to the wrong number, don’t wait—take action immediately!

How to Reverse an MTN MoMo Transaction

There are three main ways to try and get your money back:

Method 1: Using the USSD Code (Quickest Option)

This is the fastest way to report a wrong transaction, and you can do it directly from your phone. Follow these steps:

1. Dial *170# on your phone.
2. Select Option 6 (My Wallet).
3. Choose Report Fraud.
4. Select New Reversal Process.
5. Enter the recipient’s phone number (the person who received the money).
6. Confirm that you actually sent the money.
7. Enter the exact amount that was sent.
8. Enter the date of the transaction.
9. Wait for an SMS confirmation from MTN that your report has been received.

Method 2: Calling MTN Customer Care (Best for Complex Cases)

If you prefer speaking to a real person, or if the USSD method doesn’t work, calling MTN customer care is a great option.

Here’s what to do:

1. Dial 100 (MTN Customer Care).
2. Select your preferred language (English, Twi, Ewe, Ga, etc.).
3. Press 3 for Mobile Money.
4. Choose Option 1 for information on Mobile Money.
5. Press (*) to speak to a customer service representative.
6. Provide the following details:
   • Your phone number
   • The recipient’s phone number
   • The date and time of the transaction
   • The exact amount sent
   • The transaction ID (if available)
7. After your report is lodged, you will receive an SMS confirming your complaint.

Now, you wait. MTN will investigate the case, and if the transaction meets the conditions for a reversal, they’ll process it.

Method 3: Contacting the Recipient (If They’re Honest)

Sometimes, the simplest solution is to just call the person who received your money and ask for a refund.

Here’s how to handle the conversation:

• Stay calm and polite. No one likes to be accused of theft right away.
• Explain that you sent the money by mistake and ask if they can send it back.
• If they refuse, remind them that MTN has a process for reversals and that keeping the money might not end well for them.

This method only works if the recipient is honest and willing to cooperate. If they refuse, you’ll have to rely on MTN’s official reversal process.

How Long Does a Reversal Take?

MTN takes up to 15 working days to investigate and process reversals.

Why so long? Because they need to:

• Verify that the claim is valid.
• Confirm that the recipient hasn’t withdrawn the money.
• Contact the recipient and ensure they have enough balance to reverse the transaction.

If the recipient has already used the money, you might have to wait longer until they deposit funds back into their account.

When Can’t a Transaction Be Reversed?

Not all transactions can be undone. A reversal won’t work if:

• More than 30 days have passed since the transaction.
• The recipient has already withdrawn or spent the money.
• The payment was made to a business or service provider (like ECG or DSTV).
• The case is disputed, and MTN cannot verify wrongdoing.

So, your best chance of getting your money back is to report the issue immediately!

FAQs

Can I reverse a MoMo payment to a business?

No, payments to businesses or service providers (like ECG, Ghana Water, or DSTV) are usually final. Always double-check before confirming such payments.

What if the recipient refuses to return the money?

If the recipient refuses, MTN will investigate. If they find that the money was wrongly sent and the recipient has enough balance, they’ll process the reversal. However, if the money has already been withdrawn, it becomes difficult to recover.

Can I reverse a MoMo transaction linked to a bank?

It’s not straightforward. If your MoMo transaction was linked to a bank, you should call MTN and your bank immediately for assistance.

Sending money via MoMo is super convenient, but mistakes happen. That’s why you should always double-check the number and amount before pressing send. If you do make an error, don’t panic—just follow the right steps quickly, and you might be able to get your money back.