Quick Facts

• Standard Bank InstantMoney generally cheapest for amounts under R500
• FNB eWallet costs around R10-R15 depending on amount sent
• ABSA CashSend fees vary but typically cost R9.95-R15

What is eWallet and CashSend?

Both eWallet and CashSend are money transfer services that let you send cash to anyone with a cellphone number. The person receiving the money does not need a bank account. They can collect cash from ATMs or participating stores using a special code sent to their phone.

eWallet is offered by FNB (First National Bank). You can send money through the FNB app, online banking, or at FNB ATMs.

CashSend is offered by ABSA Bank. You can send money through the ABSA app, online banking, or at ABSA branches.

InstantMoney is Standard Bank’s version of the same service. All three work in similar ways but have different costs and features.

✅ 2025 Cost Comparison

Here are the current fees for sending money as of September 2025:

Amount Sent	FNB eWallet	ABSA CashSend	Standard Bank InstantMoney
R50 – R499	R10.95	R9.95	R10.00
R500 – R999	R10.95	R12.50	R15.00
R1,000 – R5,000	R10.95	R15.00	R19.00

How Each Service Works

FNB eWallet

1. Open the FNB app or log into online banking
2. Select “Send Money” then “eWallet”
3. Enter the recipient’s cellphone number
4. Choose the amount (R50 to R5,000)
5. Create a 4-digit PIN for the recipient
6. The recipient gets an SMS with collection details

ABSA CashSend

1. Open the ABSA app or online banking
2. Select “Payments” then “CashSend”
3. Enter recipient’s name and cellphone number
4. Enter amount and your 6-digit ATM PIN
5. Recipient gets SMS with 10-digit reference number
6. They collect cash from ABSA ATM or Pick n Pay

Standard Bank InstantMoney

1. Use Standard Bank app or visit a branch
2. Select “Send InstantMoney”
3. Enter recipient’s cellphone number
4. Choose amount and create 4-digit PIN
5. Recipient gets SMS voucher
6. Collection from Standard Bank ATM or participating stores

⚠️ Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

The fees shown above are just the sending costs. There may be additional charges you need to know about:

Additional Withdrawal Fees

• FNB eWallet: Free at FNB ATMs, R5-R10 at other banks’ ATMs
• ABSA CashSend: Free at ABSA ATMs and Pick n Pay, fees at other ATMs
• Standard Bank: Free at Standard Bank ATMs and selected retailers

Time Limits

• eWallet: Money expires after 30 days if not collected
• CashSend: Valid for 30 days
• InstantMoney: Valid for 3 years (longest time limit)

✅ Safety and Security

All three services are regulated by the South African Reserve Bank and are generally safe when used correctly. Here’s how to stay protected:

Keep Your PIN Secret

Only share the collection PIN with the person who should receive the money. Never post it on social media or send it via WhatsApp to groups.

Check Transaction Limits

• Daily limits: R5,000 per day for all services
• Monthly limits: R25,000 per month
• Per transaction: Maximum R5,000 per send

Only Use Official Apps

Download banking apps only from official app stores (Google Play Store or Apple App Store). Fake apps can steal your money and personal information.

🚨 Common Money Transfer Scams in South Africa 2025

Scammers are using AI and new technology to trick people. Here are the latest scams to watch out for:

Fake Police and Government Scams

Criminals pretend to be police, SAPS, or government officials. They claim you owe money or are in trouble and demand payment via eWallet or CashSend. Real police never ask for money transfers over the phone.

Fake Bank Official Calls

Scammers now use AI to clone bank workers’ voices perfectly. They call claiming your account is compromised and ask you to send money to a “safe account.” Banks will never ask you to move money to protect it.

Prize and Lottery Scams

You receive messages claiming you won money but must pay “processing fees” first. Legitimate prizes never require upfront payments.

How to Protect Yourself

• Never send money to someone you don’t know personally
• Banks will never ask you to move money for “protection”
• Government officials don’t collect fees via money transfers
• If pressured to act quickly, it’s probably a scam
• Report suspicious activity to SAFPS: 083 123 7226

Which Service is Best for You?

Your Situation	Best Choice	Why
Sending small amounts (under R500)	ABSA CashSend	Cheapest at R9.95
Regular large amounts (R1,000+)	FNB eWallet	Flat fee of R10.95
Recipient has no ATM access	ABSA CashSend	Pick n Pay and Boxer available
Sending to rural areas	Standard Bank InstantMoney	More participating retailers
Recipient may collect later	Standard Bank InstantMoney	3-year expiry period

For most people: FNB eWallet offers the best value for regular money transfers, especially for amounts over R500. The flat R10.95 fee makes it predictable for budgeting.

For small, occasional transfers: ABSA CashSend is cheapest for amounts under R500 at R9.95, and the Pick n Pay collection option is very convenient.

For rural recipients: Standard Bank InstantMoney has the widest network of collection points and the longest expiry time (3 years).

Safety first: Regardless of which service you choose, never send money to strangers, always verify the recipient’s identity, and be aware of the latest scam tactics. When in doubt, contact your bank directly using official numbers from their website.