Step-By-Step Guide To Changing Your PayNow Name

Gone are the days when we need to visit the bank to make a funds transfer or punch someone’s account number in when making a transfer over an ATM. In fact, we don’t even need to remember bank account numbers anymore.

Since the introduction of PayNow, bank transfer has been much easier. PayNow allows senders and receivers send and receive funds instantly and seamlessly without bank account information. Anyone can send and receive funds via PayNow as long as they register with their bank, and have the recipient’s PayNow registered information, i.e. NRIC/FIN, mobile number or Company Unique Entity Number (UEN).

Currently, there are 10 participating banks and 3 non-bank Financial Institutions in Singapore that are able to do PayNow transfers. If you haven’t edited the settings and changed your nickname, the default settings of the transfer will reveal your full name (as in NRIC/FIN or passport).

While PayNow is a safe and secure banking feature, some of us may still be worried about exposing our full name to strangers. Especially in light of rising online scams cases, minimising exposure of our personal information may be a good precaution to take. Choosing to display a shorter name would help protect your privacy, especially if you need to PayNow merchants or perform frequent online payment transactions with sellers and buyers.

So, here’s how you can change your PayNow nickname.

Read Also: What Is PayNow And 4 Reasons To Register For It If You Have Not Done So 

Note: This step-by-step guide will use DBS internet banking as the main example. Do note that you can only change your PayNow name with the bank which you used to register for PayNow.

Register On Desktop

Step 1: Log in to digibank Online with your User ID and PIN

Step 2: Complete the authentication process

Step 3: Under ‘Transfer’, select ‘To Mobile Number or NRIC (PayNow)’

Step 4: Select ‘Edit’ under ‘Manage PayNow Registration’

Step 5: Amend your nickname and click next.

Step 6: Verify the details of your PayNow profile and click ‘Submit’ to complete the amendment.

Steps Differ From Bank To Bank

For PayNow users from other banks, the steps may differ slightly. Taking OCBC for example, after completing the log-in and authentication process, OCBC users will need to select ‘Customer Service’ in the tab, scroll down the list and select ‘Link and Manage PayNow’.

You will be brought to ‘Your PayNow Details’ page where you can edit your PayNow name, and also check whether your NRIC/ FIN is linked to PayNow. After amending your nickname, click submit to complete the amendment.

Read Also: PayNow vs Pay Anyone vs PayLah: What’s The Difference – And Which Should You Use? 

Ensure That Your Name Is Identifiable

While PayNow users may want to choose a wild nickname, it is advised by banks that you choose a nickname that can help others identify who you are. Because, when a sender is transferring money via PayNow, they will enter your mobile number/ NRIC and the system will perform a lookup. The lookup will show the sender your nickname as form of verification that they are indeed transferring it to the right person. It would be funny and mind boggling if one day you receive money from someone nicknamed “Batman”, and you can’t figure out who that generous person is.

Read Also: What You Should Do When You Transferred Your Money Wrongly To Someone Else

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