Wirepay App Review: Legit or scam

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In case you were wondering if Wirepay is legit in Nigeria, well it is. Beyond that though, this article would be further reviewing the app, explaining it's features, licences and showing you customer reviews both the good and the bad.

Wirepay is a fintech category mobile app that lets you send money from anywhere in the world to and within Africa using fiat (local currency). It also lets you to buy discounted airtime and create custom virtual cards to spend money online. 

Wirepay app features

Wirepay promises the following feature on the sendwirepay official website
  1. Fast Payments

  2. Virtual Cards

  3. Bill Payments

  4. Multicurrency Wallet

  5. Currency Exchange


Wirepay account creation flow

I downloaded the application from app store

The process involved me first of all entering my mobile app. After that a pin was sent to my email address

Then I had to enter some personal information on the create account form including
  1. First name
  2. Last name
  3. Username
  4. Referral code - this was optional
  5. OTP (the 6-digit code that was previously sent to my email address)

Wirepay account login flow

The login flow is also quite straightforward. 
  1. You'd basically have to enter your email address once again
  2. Then an OTP (6 - digit) would be sent to your email address
  3. Enter the otp on the next page.
  4. If it's your first time logging in, you'd be required to create a 4-digit login pin. I did that and it was quite smooth, an experience

Simple Transaction Flow on Wirepay

So, to test any of Wirepay's features, I had to do some verification. You'd have to do so too. Basically, you'd be required to verify the following
  1. Verify your phone number: an otp would be sent to the phone number and you'd have to enter it and continue.
  2. So, after a couple retries. I was unable to verify my phone number. I didn't get the code sms.
  3. Well, I paused the transaction try for a while. I'd come back to it and update this post accordingly.
  4. It's cool though that they take verification seriously and you can't transact on their platform till you're properly Kyc'd. you get?
  5. Finally was able to get the otp to my phone number after like 15 minutes and 3 retries
  6. I also verified my bvn as well and proceeded to attempt funding my account with 500 Naira
  7. Alright, cool...the funding reflected in about a minute plus. 
  8. I tried to purchase airtime but I was told to complete my verification. 
  9. Maybe this is because I didn't previously do a selfie verification. I only did phone number and bvn verification but so far it looks okay. 
  10. The flow is cool and the User interface looks good and simple
  11. One thing about the app that's off though is the number of times you get logged out while trying to transact. They keep logging you out and tell you to enter your pin to log back in. Makes the User experience less palatable. 
That's it for my own personal experience, now we'd go to the reviews from other app users from both the Google Playstore and Apple App store

Wirepay Google Playstore Reviews - Android Users

On Google App store, the Wirepay app has over 50 thousand downloads. Indicating that it's been used by alot of android users. This could be a good indicator that as a user of wirepay, you're not alone and alot of other customers are using their app as well. However, this alone is not metric enough for you to judge by. Let's talk about another important metric that's used for judging apps: wirepay android user rating. You could view this wirepay playstore user rating here
Altogether, as at the time of this article, the wirepay app has a rating of 3.1 out of 5.0 based on 530 reviews. This is an okay score and it's indicative of the fact that wirepay is doing something right. 

Some reviews from some customers include the following. I'd be including some good ones and some bad ones though:

"This is a user-friendly asessment for signing up not a usage review. I presume the app would be great from what I heard about it. I just downloaded the app but the code authentication could not automatically appear on the space for it on the app like some apps do. Navigating between windows closed the account I was creating twice. I got discouraged and ended it. An innovative solution". - Ikeadigh Irene (rated the app 4 stars out of 5)

This has to be one of the worst apps I have used in recent times. At this point I feel like they intentionally let the app have bugs. I can't pay for any transactions with the virtual card, I cannot transfer funds from one card to another and I cannot even withdraw my funds. It's been over a month since I have been trying I am tired at this point. Google should make half stars available because one star is even too much for these people. Considering annoying charges, I expected more - Tope Lajumoke (rated the app 1 star out of 5)

 I just don't understand this app. To register is a problem when OTP is sent to your mail you went to mail to pick it and what you are doing will be refresh again and won't accept the otp code. Wasted my time. - Nze Franklin (rated the app 1 star out of 5)

very fast app - Atiku Abubakar6544 (rated the app 5 stars out of 5

Overall, I'd say the app works and there are good reviews and bad reviews but most of them revolved around phone verifications issues, high exchange rate and account being blocked. Altogether, the app works and they don't have cases of theft  of users funds so it's not a scam 

Wirepay Apple App store Review - Iphone Users

On the Apple app store, wirepay app has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 based on 208 reviews. Here are some screenshots of a few reviews of the app from iphone users

 
a screenshot showing the app review of wirepay and the app rating on apple app store. the number in bold is 3.9


Wirepay Licenses

According to information on their website, wirepay's parent company, Maplerad is a financial technology company and not a bank. Their banking services are provided by partner banks who are duly licensed by the CBN so they offer Fintech solutions to their customers.

Wirepay Funding

Wirepay is currently quite funded. It's parent company, Maplerad had previously raised a $6M seed round Led by Valar Ventures. According to sources, this round was raised at a $30 million valuation. 



In this article about wirepay's parent company funding by techcrunch, the ceo of wirepay, Miracle Anyanwu explained how wirepay is gradually moving to an infrastructure company based on other businesses that want to build similar products to wirepay being continuously interested in their infrastructure.

Wirepay FAQ

What is Wirepay?

Wirepay is a mobile app that lets you send money from anywhere in the world to and within Africa using fiat. It also lets you buy discounted airtime and create custom virtual cards to spend money online.

I just downloaded Wirepay, how do I create an account?

After you download the app from Google Play or the App Store, register using your name, a functional email address and a valid means of identification.

What do I do after signup & email verification?

You need to complete your KYC verification process. Click on the Profile tab located at the bottom of the app & on the page displayed, select verification under the account section then complete the steps displayed.

What currencies are used on Wirepay?

Currencies utilized for transactions on the Wirepay app are Nigerian Naira (NGN), US Dollars (USD), Ghanian Cedi (GHS), Kenyan Shillings(KES), Cameroon Francs(XAF).

Can I use Wirepay on my laptop?

No. Wirepay can only be accessed via the mobile app. We, however, have a dashboard for businesses that can be accessed via your laptop by visiting www.maplerad.com.

What is my Wirepay $wiretag?

Your $wiretag is the username you signed up to Wirepay with. You can use this unique $wiretag to receive money from anyone on the App for free.

Can I have more than 1 wallet?

Yes, you can create more than 1 wallet. Each wallet represents a different country’s currency.

Can I create more than 1 wallet per currency?

No you can’t. You can only have 1 wallet for each currency.

How do I put money into Wirepay or fund my wallet?

**US Dollar:** Wirepay allows you to deposit USD by converting from other currencies to fund your USD wallet. **Naira:** Wirepay allows you to fund your NGN wallet using either Bank Transfers or by converting from other currencies to fund your NGN wallet Direct Debit. To fund your wallet via Bank transfer, select your NGN wallet from the Wallets page & click the Fund button then select the Bank Transfer method to view the Maplerad account numbers created for you. Kindly initiate a transfer from your banking app or over the counter to that account number & funds are received immediately

What countries do Wirepay work in?

Wirepay works anywhere in the world. However, we currently support only transactions & wallets for Nigerian Naira (NGN), US Dollars (USD), Ghanian Cedi (GHS), Kenyan Shillings(KES), Cameroon Francs(XAF) currencies.

What is my deposit limit?

**US Dollar:** The deposit limit for United States Dollar is one thousand dollars ($1,000) per transaction. **Naira:** There is no deposit limit.

What are the fees associated with putting money in my Wirepay wallet?

There’s currently no fee for funding your Wirepay naira wallet via bank transfers to your virtual accounts.

My deposit transaction has been pending for too long, what should I do?

Most times, this is just a normal delay from the payment service. If the transaction pends for more than an hour, check your email to see if Wirepay has sent out an email about possible ongoing maintenance with us or payment networks. If there is no such email, copy the transaction reference and contact support via the app or wirepay

My deposit transaction failed, but my external account was still debited.

Contact our support via the app or website and provide the requested details of the transaction.

How do I take money out of my Wirepay wallet?

**Naira:** You can withdraw Naira from your NGN wallet & send it to any bank account in Nigeria using the Bank Transfer method. **USD:** You can withdraw dollars from your USD wallet & send it to your domiciliary account in Access, Fidelity, Polaris, Wema & Zenith banks or request for a USD cash pickup from any of the specified banks...

What countries can I withdraw money to?

You can withdraw money to any Nigerian, Ghana, Cameroon & Kenya bank account.

How much fees do I pay for transfers/pay-outs to Nigerian bank account?

**Naira:** There is a flat fee of ₦10 charged on transfers from your NGN wallet to Nigerian bank accounts irrespective of the transaction amount transferred. **USD:** There is a fee of 1.2% (minimum of $2 and capped at $12) for withdrawals to Nigerian domiciliary bank accounts...

My withdrawal transaction has been pending for too long, what should I do?

Most times, this is just a normal delay from the payment service. If the transaction pends for more than an hour, check your email to see if Wirepay has sent out an email about possible ongoing maintenance with us or payment networks...

My withdrawal transaction failed, but my Wirepay wallet was debited, what should I do?

Contact our support via the app or website and provide the requested details of the transaction.

Is my money safe with Wirepay?

Yes, your money is safe with us. We have implemented top-notch security measures to ensure the safety of your funds and data. We use end-to-end encryption for all transactions, and our platform is built with security in mind.

What happens if my Wirepay account is compromised?

If you suspect any unauthorized activity on your Wirepay account, contact support immediately through the app or website. We will assist you in securing your account and investigating the issue.

How can I secure my Wirepay account?

To enhance the security of your Wirepay account, make sure to use a strong and unique password. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security. Avoid sharing your login credentials with anyone, and be cautious of phishing attempts.

I am unable to log in to my Wirepay account. What should I do?

If you are having trouble logging in, ensure that you have a stable internet connection. Double-check your login credentials and try again. If the issue persists, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page to reset your password.

I am experiencing issues with a transaction. How can I get help?

If you encounter any problems with a transaction, contact our support team through the app or website. Provide details such as the transaction reference and a description of the issue for prompt assistance.

How do I create a virtual card?

Click on the card icon/tab on the bottom of the app's home page. You will find a "Create card " button on the card screen. Click the “Create card” button, select the desired card scheme, and follow the displayed process. Upon successful submission, your card would be created, and details displayed within 30 minutes.

What card schemes are offered in Wirepay?

You can create both Mastercard and VISA cards in Wirepay.

Can I pay for my virtual card or fund it from my NGN wallet?

No, you can only utilize your USD wallet for virtual card issuance and funding transactions. Kindly fund your USD wallet by converting available funds from any other currency’s wallet to USD.

Does Wirepay charge for virtual card creation?

Yes. You will be debited a one-time fee of $2 for each card created.

Can I create multiple virtual cards?

Yes, you can create more than 1 card across the 2 different card schemes.

What is the fee for funding my virtual card?

You will be charged a transaction fee of 0.5% capped at $5 for each card funding transaction. A fee of $1 would be debited instead for scenarios where the 0.5% funding fee isn’t up to $1. This fee would be debited from your USD wallet.

Where do I find my card details like billing address and CVV?

Tap the Card tab located at the bottom of the app, select the virtual card whose details you wish to view, and then click the View Details button. Card details will be displayed to you.

Which websites can I use my card on? Which websites can't I use it on?

Your virtual card can be used on any international service/platform/website where USA Mastercard or Visa prepaid cards are allowed. For now, you cannot use your virtual card on Crypto-trading sites, Betting sites, Adult Content sites, or on money transfer platforms like Paypal, worldremit, etc. (list not exhaustive).

How can I buy airtime on Wirepay?

To purchase airtime, select the desired currency wallet (NGN or GHS) and click the "Airtime" button.

From which country wallets can I buy airtime on Wirepay?

You can buy airtime from Nigeria (NGN Wallet) and Ghana (GHS Wallet).

Which networks are available for airtime purchase on Wirepay?

For NGN wallets, you can buy airtime for MTN, Glo, 9Mobile, and Airtel networks. GHS wallets support airtime purchase for Airtel-tigo, MTN, and Vodafone networks.

What are the limits for airtime purchase?

The minimum airtime purchase is ₦100 and the maximum is ₦2000 for all networks available in Nigeria. For Ghana, the limits are GHS 1 minimum and GHS 100 maximum for all networks.

Do I receive cash-back for all airtime transactions?

No, cash-back commission is currently earned only for airtime purchased using your NGN wallet.

How much cash-back do I get for airtime transactions?

A commission of 1% would be earned as cash-back for airtime purchase transactions.

What is WireBeam?

WireBeam is our in-app feature that you can use to send or receive money from anywhere in the world with another Wirepay user for free!

Which currencies can I send or receive using WireBeam?

WireBeam lets you send or receive any currency available in the app for free!

What is a Referral Code?

A Referral Code is a special ID assigned to Wirepay users, which they can share as a means of invitation to non-Wirepay users. We use these referral codes to track the origin of a referral and connect it to the customer who sent it.

Can my referral code be duplicated?

No, it can't. No two customers have the same referral code.

How long does it take for the money to be received?

The recipient will receive the money instantly.

Can I cancel a transaction on Wirepay?

No. Please cross-check every transaction before clicking the confirm transaction button.

Can I get a refund for a transaction on Wirepay?

No. Please cross-check every transaction before clicking the confirm transaction button.

How do I view my transaction history on Wirepay?

Your transaction history can be found on the Home Screen on the app.

I have a problem with my transaction. What should I do?

Contact our support team via the app using the report transaction button when you tap on the specific transaction or [website](https://sendwirepay.com/).

Need to tell Wirepay something. Where do I send my message?

You can reach us via the profile page of your app by tapping on support or via our [website](https://sendwirepay.com/).

I have contacted Wirepay but I have not received a response in 24 hours. What should I do?

This is very unlikely. If this happens, send us a direct message to our [Twitter](https://twitter.com/sendwirepay) inbox. Check the profile page of your app or our [website](https://sendwirepay.com/) for details of our [Twitter handle.](https://twitter.com/sendwirepay)

My Wirepay account has been disabled. What should I do?

We disable accounts because we suspect some malicious activities may be happening on that account. We also try to protect our users if we suspect your account has been compromised. Please contact our support team via the app profile page or our [website](https://sendwirepay.com/) to provide assistance.

I signed up with a wrong email. How do I resolve this?

Ignore the old account and sign up with the correct details you wish to use.

Can I use Wirepay offline?

Wirepay requires a stable internet connection to carry out transactions on the app.

Can I change my phone number or email on my Wirepay account?

We only have the option to change your phone number for now.

Conclusion

Wirepay is a payments app that allows you send money across Africa. While they have User experience issues as shown in user reviews, they are not a scam and they are recognized as a Fintech in Nigeria.



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