How to Stop Unwanted MTN Premium Services in 4 Steps
How to Stop Unwanted MTN Premium Services in 4 Steps
The regulator’s common code, the DND commands and what to do if charges continue.
A message arrives saying you have joined a horoscope, a tune or a news service. You never pressed anything, yet airtime is leaving. These are value-added services, and there is a standard way to remove them.
Stop them in 4 steps
Two tools, two jobs
| Tool | What it stops | How |
|---|---|---|
| *305# | Charges from value-added services | Open the menu and deactivate each one |
| DND (2442) | Unwanted promotional SMS and calls | Text STOP to 2442 |
The regulator says the two work together. *305# stops the charges, and DND stops the unsolicited marketing. Turning on DND alone will not cancel a service you already joined.
DND commands
| Text to 2442 | Effect |
|---|---|
| STOP | Full Do-Not-Disturb: blocks unsolicited SMS and calls |
| HELP | Partial DND: you choose categories |
| ALLOW | Turns DND off |
| STATUS | Shows your current setting |
Spot a charge quickly
- Check your balance before and after you reply to any prompt.
- Read each SMS from MTN as soon as it arrives, because the first message names the service.
- If you see an unknown charge, note the time and amount at once.
Acting on the first charge matters. A service that bills daily takes a few hundred naira in a week, and the longer it runs, the harder it is to argue that you never wanted it.
How to avoid joining by accident
- Do not tap links in SMS messages from unknown short codes.
- Read the price and the interval before you reply YES to any prompt.
- Keep DND on if you do not want marketing messages.
- Check *305# once a week.
Getting money back
MTN decides refunds case by case. Keep screenshots or SMS of the charges, write down the dates and amounts, and ask on 300. If you are not satisfied, the regulator runs a consumer portal at consumer.ncc.gov.ng for complaints.
Why do I still get texts after DND?
DND covers promotional messages. Service and account notices such as OTPs can still reach you.
Can a service sign me up without my knowledge?
Rules require an opt-in. If you believe you never agreed, say so when you complain.
Does cancelling refund the last charge?
No. Cancelling stops future charges.