Quick Facts

• FNB eWallet, Absa CashSend and Standard Bank Instant Money are three separate products — not one “cash send” service
• Fees depend on your own account and pricing option — confirm the fee on your bank’s payment screen or current pricing guide before you send
• Absa CashSend is available for 30 days only; Standard Bank Instant Money vouchers are valid for 3 years
• An unused FNB eWallet can be reversed within 72 hours

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.

Instant Money is a different Standard Bank product — it is not CashSend. Instant Money vouchers are valid for 3 years, while Absa CashSend is available for 30 days only. See how to redeem a Standard Bank Instant Money voucher.

FNB eWallet: the receiver does not need a bank account. Maximum eWallet balance is R14 000. Send limits are R15 000 in the FNB app, R3 000 via online banking and WhatsApp, and R1 500 via cellphone banking. An unused eWallet can be reversed within 72 hours. Fees depend on the sender’s FNB account — confirm in the FNB app. More on the FNB eWallet hub.

Absa CashSend: collect at an Absa ATM, Pick n Pay or Boxer using a 10-digit reference and 6-digit PIN. App, online and ATM limits are R5 000 per day and R25 000 per month; cellphone banking (*120*2272#) limits are R500 per day and R3 000 per month. Available 30 days only. Fees depend on your Absa account — confirm in the Absa app. See where to collect Absa CashSend.

What each service costs

Fees for all three products depend on the sending account and pricing option, so there is no single fee that applies to everyone. Confirm the fee on the bank’s payment screen or in its current pricing guide before you send.

The September 2025 fee table that used to appear here (R10.95 / R9.95 / R12.50 / R15.00 and “Instant Money cheapest under R500”) has been removed because it is outdated and was being read as current pricing. We do not publish replacement rand amounts — check the FNB, Absa or Standard Bank app.

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

• FNB eWallet: can be reversed within 72 hours if the money has not been used — confirm any expiry with FNB
• Absa CashSend: available for 30 days only
• Standard Bank Instant Money: valid for 3 years (a different product to CashSend)

✅ 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

• FNB eWallet: R15 000 via the app, R3 000 via online banking and WhatsApp, R1 500 via cellphone banking; maximum eWallet balance R14 000
• Absa CashSend: R5 000 per day and R25 000 per month via app, online or ATM; R500 per day and R3 000 per month via *120*2272#
• Standard Bank Instant Money: check current limits in the Standard Bank app

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	Collect at an Absa ATM, Pick n Pay or Boxer — confirm the fee in the Absa app
Regular large amounts (R1,000+)	FNB eWallet	Higher send limit in the FNB app (R15 000) — confirm the fee in the FNB app
Recipient has no ATM access	ABSA CashSend	Pick n Pay and Boxer available
Sending to rural areas	Standard Bank InstantMoney	Wide retailer network — a separate product to CashSend
Recipient may collect later	Standard Bank InstantMoney	3-year expiry period

For most people: use the product your own bank offers — FNB eWallet if you bank with FNB, Absa CashSend if you bank with Absa, Instant Money if you bank with Standard Bank. Confirm the fee on the payment screen, as it depends on your account.

If the receiver has no bank account: Absa CashSend can be collected at an Absa ATM, Pick n Pay or Boxer, and an FNB eWallet receiver does not need a bank account either.

If the money may sit uncollected: Standard Bank Instant Money vouchers are valid for 3 years, versus 30 days for Absa CashSend.

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.