Why a BVN or NIN check says 'not found'

A 'not found' answer is a real answer, not an error: it means the number did not match a record. Work through these in order.

1. Count the digits. A BVN and a NIN each have exactly 11 digits. A leading zero lost in a spreadsheet is the most common cause.
2. Check for spaces or letters pasted in with the number.
3. Make sure you are using a live key. A test key returns sample data for any number you type, so it can never find a real person.
4. Ask the person to confirm the number from their bank app or the official NIN slip. Numbers copied from a screenshot are often read wrongly.
5. A very new NIN may not have reached the national database yet. Try again later.

A check that is not found is charged because the lookup ran. A check that fails because a provider was unreachable is refunded automatically.