Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about PayNest's services

All Questions General Account & KYC Trading & Rates Payments Security Technical

General Questions

6 questions

What is PayNest?

PayNest is a digital platform that allows users to exchange gift cards for Nigerian Naira (₦) instantly. We provide real-time rates, secure verification, and fast payouts directly to your Nigerian bank account. We're licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and fully compliant with all regulatory requirements.

Is PayNest a registered company?

Yes, PayNest Technologies is a fully registered company in the Federal Republic of Nigeria with RC Number: [Your RC Number]. We are licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and comply with all NDPR, AML/CFT regulations.

What gift cards do you accept?

We accept a wide range of gift cards including:

  • Retail: Amazon, Walmart, Target, eBay, Nordstrom
  • Gaming: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Razer Gold, Nintendo
  • Tech: Apple, Google Play, Best Buy
  • Prepaid: Visa, Mastercard, American Express

Check our Rates page for the full list of supported cards.

What are your operating hours?

PayNest operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our automated system processes trades around the clock. Customer support is available via live chat, email, and phone 24/7.

Is there a mobile app?

Yes! PayNest has mobile apps for both iOS and Android. Download from the App Store or Google Play Store. The web platform is also fully mobile-responsive.

Do you have a referral program?

Yes! Invite friends to PayNest and earn ₦500 for each friend who completes KYC verification and makes their first trade of ₦20,000 or more. Find your referral link in your dashboard.

Account & KYC

7 questions

How do I create an account?

Creating an account is free and takes less than 2 minutes:

  1. Click "Get Started" or "Register"
  2. Enter your full name, email, and phone number
  3. Create a strong password
  4. Verify your email and phone number
  5. Complete KYC verification to start trading

What documents do I need for KYC?

KYC requirements depend on your verification tier:

  • Tier 1: Email and phone verification only
  • Tier 2: BVN + Valid Government ID (NIN, Driver's License, Voter's Card, or International Passport)
  • Tier 3: Tier 2 requirements + Proof of address (utility bill ≤3 months old) + Facial verification

Why do you need my BVN?

Your BVN is required by the Central Bank of Nigeria for identity verification and to comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. We only use your BVN for verification purposes—we never store the full BVN on our servers.

How long does KYC verification take?

BVN verification is instant. Document verification (ID and proof of address) typically takes 5-15 minutes during business hours. In rare cases, it may take up to 24 hours if manual review is required.

What are the trading limits?

Trading limits are based on your KYC tier:

  • Tier 1: ₦100,000 daily limit
  • Tier 2: ₦1,000,000 daily limit
  • Tier 3: ₦5,000,000+ daily limit (custom limits available)

Can I have multiple accounts?

No. Each user is permitted only one account. Multiple accounts are strictly prohibited and will result in permanent suspension of all associated accounts and forfeiture of pending transactions.

How do I reset my password?

Click "Sign In" then "Forgot Password." Enter your registered email address, and we'll send you a password reset link valid for 30 minutes. For security, also check your spam folder.

Trading & Rates

6 questions

How do I trade a gift card?

Trading is simple:

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Click "Trade Gift Card"
  3. Select the card type and enter the amount
  4. Upload a clear photo of the gift card
  5. Review the rate and amount you'll receive
  6. Confirm and submit

Once verified, payment is processed within minutes.

How are rates determined?

Rates are based on real-time market conditions, card type, currency, and denomination. We monitor global markets to offer competitive rates. The rate displayed when you submit a trade is locked for 10 minutes during verification.

What if my rate changes during verification?

Your rate is locked for 10 minutes from submission. If verification exceeds this time, we'll notify you of any rate change and give you the option to proceed with the new rate or cancel the trade.

Why was my gift card rejected?

Common reasons for rejection include:

  • Card has already been redeemed or used
  • Incorrect card details provided
  • Unclear or altered card image
  • Card reported as stolen or fraudulent
  • Card type not currently supported

Contact support if you believe the rejection was an error.

Are there any hidden fees?

No hidden fees. The amount displayed as "You'll Receive" is the exact amount that will be credited to your bank account. Our rate already includes our service fee.

Can I cancel a submitted trade?

You can cancel a trade only if it's still pending verification. Once a card has been verified and payment initiated, trades cannot be canceled or reversed.

Payments & Withdrawals

5 questions

How long does payment take?

Once your gift card is verified, payment is processed within 3-10 minutes. Delays may occur due to bank network issues or additional verification requirements. If you haven't received payment after 30 minutes, please contact support.

Which banks do you support?

We support all Nigerian commercial banks including Access Bank, GTBank, First Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank, and all microfinance banks on the NIBSS instant payment network.

What if I enter wrong bank details?

You are responsible for providing accurate bank details. We verify the account name against the provided account number before processing. If you notice an error, contact support immediately before the trade is processed. PayNest is not liable for payments sent to incorrect accounts due to user error.

Can I receive payment to another person's account?

For security and compliance reasons, payments can only be made to a bank account that matches the name on your PayNest account and verified BVN. This prevents fraud and money laundering.

What is the minimum/maximum trade amount?

Minimum trade amount is ₦5,000 equivalent. Maximum trade amounts depend on your KYC tier (₦100k, ₦1M, or ₦5M+ daily). Individual card limits may also apply based on the card type and denomination.

Security & Privacy

5 questions

How do you protect my data?

We use industry-standard security measures including 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit, AES-256 encryption for data at rest, multi-factor authentication, regular security audits, and strict access controls. We are NDPR compliant and registered with NDPC.

How do I enable 2FA?

To enable Two-Factor Authentication:

  1. Go to Settings > Security
  2. Click "Enable 2FA"
  3. Scan the QR code with Google Authenticator or similar app
  4. Enter the 6-digit code to confirm

We strongly recommend enabling 2FA for account security.

What should I do if my account is hacked?

If you suspect unauthorized access:

  1. Immediately change your password
  2. Enable 2FA if not already active
  3. Contact our support team at security@paynest.ng
  4. Review recent transactions for unauthorized activity

We'll freeze your account pending investigation.

Do you share my information?

We never sell your personal data. We only share information with trusted service providers (for verification and payment processing) and regulatory authorities (CBN, NFIU, EFCC) when legally required. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Is gift card trading safe on PayNest?

Yes. We verify every card before payment, use advanced fraud detection systems, and maintain strict KYC requirements. We're licensed by CBN and follow all Nigerian financial regulations. Your funds are only released after successful card verification.

Technical Support

4 questions

The app is not loading, what should I do?

Try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Clear your browser cache or app data
  • Update the app to the latest version
  • Try a different browser or device
  • Disable VPN if you're using one

If issues persist, contact support with screenshots.

I didn't receive my verification code

If you haven't received your email or SMS verification code:

  • Check your spam/junk folder
  • Ensure your phone has network signal
  • Wait 2 minutes and request a new code
  • Verify you entered the correct email/phone number

Contact support if you still haven't received it after multiple attempts.

Which browsers are supported?

PayNest works best on the latest versions of:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Opera

We recommend keeping your browser updated for the best experience.

Can I use PayNest outside Nigeria?

PayNest is designed for Nigerian residents. While you can access the platform from abroad, you must have a Nigerian bank account and BVN to receive payments. Using VPNs to mask your location is against our Terms of Service.

Still have questions?

Our support team is available 24/7 to assist you