In Kenya’s fast-evolving mobile money landscape, Safaricom is tightening privacy on Mpesa – but leaving a clear trail for those who need to verify who sent them money.
The company has begun rolling out phone number masking, meaning recipients will no longer automatically see a sender’s full mobile number during transactions.
Instead, digits appear partially hidden, a move backed by the Central Bank of Kenya and designed to curb fraud and protect personal data.
A code that reveals all
Yet, in a system built on trust, anonymity has its limits.
Responding to queries, Safaricom says recipients can still unmask the sender when necessary, using a simple, time-sensitive step.
Users are required to forward the M-Pesa confirmation message to USSD code 334 within 24 hours, after which they receive the sender’s full registered name and phone number.
It is a neat workaround: privacy by default, transparency on demand.
Verification built in
The safeguard complements existing verification layers within Mpesa app.
On the app, users are shown the recipient’s registered name before completing a transaction, helping prevent errors or scams before money is sent.
Now, even after funds are received, a parallel check exists on the recipient’s side.
Fraud in the crosshairs
The change comes amid rising cases of mobile money fraud, often driven by exposed personal data.
By concealing phone numbers while maintaining a system of controlled verification, Safaricom is striving to strike a careful balance—preventing access for fraudsters while still allowing genuine users to engage with the service.
READ ALSO: Mpesa Next of Kin Claim: All You Need to Know
Simple, but smarter
For millions, the process remains seamless: receive money, confirm, move on.
But if doubt creeps in, one short code – 334 – now holds the key to clarity.
PAY ATTENTION: Reach us at info@gotta.news.
