1 May 2013

UNDERSTANDING NATIONHELA MONEY TRANSFER


It is said that this simpler and more convenient international money transfer service, NationHela allows one to receive money from anywhere in the world straight into their prepaid NationHela Visa card. The prepaid Visa card is not the same as any other debit or credit card as it is not linked to one’s bank account.

Let us now understand this prepaid Visa card, one must first own a NationHela card pack which can be purchased from any Diamond Trust Bank branch, NationHela agents and all Nakumatt supermarkets countrywide. The card pack contains a NationHela prepaid Visa card, ATM pin including information on how to use the card.

Once the purchase is done, activation serves as the next step and is done by dialing *348# from one’s mobile phone. The user will then be required to send an SMS with the last eight digits of their card pack Identification number and the last four digits of their digit card number. The mobile phone number used to activate the card serves as your default NationHela account number. Moreover when you are prompted to set your mobile pin, use the ATM pin provided in the pack. Activation of the card allows the user to receive or load money once. 
After activation, registration is the next step as it ensures that one enjoys the full benefits of the account in addition to receiving money or topping up the account. This one-time registration process requires the user to fill out the form provided in the NationHela card pack then submitting it to the nearest DTB branch or NationHela distributor outlet along with a copy of their National Identification card. Once the registration process is complete, the user can make full use of their card within 72 hours.

Sending Money from Abroad to Kenya
There are two options for sending money to Kenya if one is based abroad:
Option 1- NationHela online transfer
This hailed as the simplest and most convenient method, this option allows one to send money directly into a NationHela account from their debit, credit card of paypal account by:
  1. Logging on to www.nationhela.com and clicking on the remit funds here tab.
  2. Select country of residence, currency and input the amount you would like to send. Submit your details once this is done.
  3. Confirm the amount you would like to send and be informed of the transaction fee. The amount that will be received by the beneficiary in Kenya shillings will also be confirmed. In this step, you will also need to confirm the recipients mobile number as well as their full names. When verified click on the  “Send now” button.
  4. Input your personal information, and select your preferred mode of transfer ( Debit Card, Credit Card or PayPal) and submit.
The sender will receive a payment confirmation upon the successful completion of their transfer.
Option 2 – Over-the-counter money transfer
This option allows one to send money over-the-counter at any Xpress Money or MoneyGram money transfer outlet. The recipient in Kenya can then simply choose to receive the money directly into their NationHela account by using the NationHela menu on their mobile phone.

Mode of Operation
  1. The NationHela recipient will dial *348# and request funds to be transferred to their NationHela account.
  2. The recipient will then provide the Reference Number (for  Xpress Money, provide your Xpin and for a MoneyGram transfer and provide a reference number).
  3. The name of the recipient must match the name they have used to register their NationHela card.
  4. Upon confirmation, funds will be deposited into the recipient’s NationHela account and an SMS confirmation will be sent.
Topping Up the NationHela Account
There are two main methods that enable a user to top up their account such as:
1. Mobile money account top-up
This method involves topping up the account through M-PESA and operates by:
  1. Logging onto the Pay Bill menu on the M-PESA account and enter the NationHela PayBill number 516602.
  2. Enter the NationHela mobile number to which the money should be sent and the amount to be sent.
  3. Both sender and receiver will get an SMS confirmation that funds have been sent and received.
2. Agent Top up
You can also go to a NationHela Agent to top up your NationHela account and operates by:

  • Giving the Agent the amount you want to top up, your mobile number and National ID card. 
  • The Agent will then proceed to deposit the money into the NationHela account.
  • Both you and the Agent will receive an SMS confirmation that funds have been sent and received.
Accessing Your NationHela Funds
Withdrawing Cash
For money sent to your NationHela card, there are various methods of withdrawing it such as:
NationHela Agent
This option involves the use of a NationHela agent and operates by:
  1. Dial *348# to provide the Agent code and amount to withdraw at the Agent outlet.
  2. Both you and Agent will receive SMS confirmations with unique reference numbers.
  3. Agent will pay you and ask you to sign the Transaction Register.
ATM
You can withdraw funds using your NationHela card from any Visa branded ATMs (including PesaPoint) anywhere in the world and operates by:
  1. Go to any Visa branded ATM and insert your NationHela card.
  2. Enter your ATM PIN and amount to withdraw.
  3. ATM will dispense your cash and give you a receipt.
Making Payments

Visa Merchant Outlets
In the case of paying for items at your local supermarket, simply present your card at the cashier’s till. The cashier will then proceed to swipe the card and present you with a sales slip to sign to complete the transaction. As a security measure one may be required to reveal their ATM pin at a point of sale to validate their transaction.
Utility bills (water and electricity)
You can pay for your electricity and water bills (Nairobi Water Company) using your NationHela account through your mobile phone and operates by:
  1. Dialing *348#, selecting Bill payment and the company you would like to pay.
  2. Provide your customer account number with the company you are paying and the amount to be sent.
  3. You will then receive an SMS confirmation with a payment reference number confirming that  your funds have been sent.
Shop and Pay Online
To purchase goods and services online, you will need to activate your card using the customer care portal acquired by visiting www.nationhela.com and clicking on the “Access my account” tab.
How it works:
  1. Log onto the website you want to shop from.
  2. Provide card details on the website.
  3. Print or keep details of your transactions and website visited.
As a security measure, ensure that the website in which you carry out your transaction is secure.

Transferring Money Within Kenya
NationHela to NationHela
You can transfer money to another NationHela account within Kenya using your mobile phone or the internet.
(i)  Mobile Phone Transfer
This transaction operates by:
  1. Dialing *348# to access the mobile banking menu.
  2. Select the SEND MONEY option and enter the recipient’s NationHela mobile number and the amount to be transferred.
  3. Both cardholders will receive SMS confirmations that funds have been sent and received.
(ii) Online Transfer
This option allows you to transfer money from their NationHela card to another online and operates by :
  1. Logging onto www.nationhela.com, clicking on the “Access my Account” tab on the home page and entering your user login and password to access the customer self-care portal. Use the online password sent to you when you successfully activate your NationHela card to log in to the self-care portal.
  2. Select the wallet to wallet transfer option and enter the recipient’s NationHela Account (Mobile)number and amount to be transferred
  3. Both cardholders will receive SMS confirmations that the transfer is successful.
(iii) NationHela to your M-PESA account
This option allows you to transfer money from your NationHela account straight to your M-PESA account.
How it Works
  1. Dial *348# to access your mobile banking menu.
  2. Select the SEND MONEY option and choose Transfer to Mobile Money Account (e.g. M-PESA).
  3. Enter the amount to be transferred.
  4. You will receive confirmation that the funds have been sent to the M-PESA account.
Managing Your Account
In order to personally manage your account from wherever you are, simply log on to the customer self-care portal via the internet on www.nationhela.com or access the same information via mobile by dialing *348# from your mobile phone.
The customer self-care portal allows you to perform the following services:
  1. Activate your card for use in online transactions- you will need to activate your card on the customer self-care portal to enable online payments for goods and services
  2. View current and previous statements
  3. View account balance
  4. Block or unblock your account
  5. Change your online login password via the internet
  6. Change your mobile PIN via your mobile
  7. Perform card to card transfers
This information was obtained from http://www.nationmedia.com/newsletter/archive/July2012/newsletter_hela.html

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